Marianthi strengths her teaching and communication skills at Pwani University

Marianthi Firoglani Moschi, a second-year student at the Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB) returned from her professional internship and placement (PIPS) with Pwani University, a public university in the Kilifi County in the coastal county region of Kenya, and commented,

“For my placement, I wanted to develop my professional and interpersonal skills whilst focusing on strengthening my teaching and presentation abilities, essential for effectively sharing knowledge and inspiring others. Another goal was to gain hands-on experience with grant writing and application processes which as I see this as fundamental for securing funding and support in both the academic and nonprofit sectors. Lastly, I wanted to learn from and collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds, to become a strong advocate for equity and inclusion in any future work environment. I saw the placement with Pwani as an ideal opportunity to enhance my technical skills and to contribute thoughtfully and strategically to impactful projects.”

During her placement Marianthi,

• organised and delivered a nutrition workshop where she had to learn about the local dietary habits, incorporate culturally appropriate examples and design educational materials tailored to a specific audience. This deepened her understanding of global health challenges and gave her a broader perspective on how scientific knowledge can be applied in diverse, resource-limited contexts.
• coordinated and directed a one-day symposium where students showcased their newly acquired knowledge which she admitted was one of the most rewarding elements of her placement.
• taught MSc Immunology students in their essential lab methods module.
• and was a guest speaker in a student-led seminar series where she presented her own PhD research on human anthocyanin-derived metabolites and their effect on mitochondrial metabolism.

All of this helped boost Marianthi’s confidence with public speaking and strengthened her expertise in science communication which she knows will be invaluable in her PhD journey. She also had to navigate practical challenges such as cultural differences, power cuts, and limited infrastructure which tested flexibility, creativity, and patience. Marianthi greatly appreciates the invaluable experience she gained in leadership, and intercultural communication at Pwani.

Dr Rose Kigathi, Marianthi’s supervisor at Pwani University said, “Marianthi was a joy to have on board – with her can-do attitude and thoughtful, creative solutions, she made every challenge feel manageable. Her passion for nutrition education and research shone through, inspiring our students. Karibu tena Pwani, Karibu tena Kilifi! (meaning you are always welcome to return to Pwani)”

Marianthi’s advice for other students about to embark on organising their PIPS is, “don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. One of the most valuable aspects of my PIPS was the personal and professional growth gained from navigating an unfamiliar environment alongside the increased confidence gained from being in a setting completely different from my usual academic one.” During her placement, Marianthi learned she could work effectively in a new setting and was capable of far more than she realized. Her final comment is, “follow a passion, try something bold, and challenge yourself.”