Question: what is the best part of your work you do in Africa?

Anouk Gouvras answered on 18 Jun 2012:

aah difficult question. When I go to collect my samples in different villages and areas in African countries I do learn a lot about the country, the traditions, the culture and life of people in these places. I really enjoy that aspect of my work. But I also like that I get to teach and train the local teams that assist me with my work. They get to learn new skills and techniques and also about study design and research questions. When the team is interested in this then the work is so much more satisfying because it feels like I am giving something back. Yes, the results of my research will be useful to public health programs and schistosomiasis control programs which is great, but it is fantastic to also help the national academic, science and medical research organizations with capacity-building for scientific research.