History was made on March 17 as Dr. Ricardo Luz successfully defended his master’s thesis, becoming the first graduate of the Master in Field Epidemiology (FETP-CV) at the University of Cabo Verde (UniCV). This milestone marks a significant achievement in strengthening epidemiological expertise in Portuguese-speaking West African countries.
Dr. Luz’s thesis, titled “Determinants of Overweight and Obesity in Women of Reproductive Age in Cape Verde: Evidence from Two Household Surveys, 2008-2023,” sheds light on key public health concerns affecting the region. His research was supervised by Professor Paulo Ferrinho from GHTM | IHMT-NOVA, with co-supervision by Dr. Daniela Alves (Mobilwave, Portugal) and Dr. Rosa Semedo (Ministry of Environment and Agriculture of Cape Verde). The defense was presided over by Professor Isabel Inês Araújo (UniCV, GHTM collaborator), with Professor Milena Moraes (University of Coimbra) serving as the examiner.
FETP-CV is a specialized master’s programme designed to enhance field epidemiology capabilities in Portuguese-speaking West Africa. It is funded by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The programme is a collaborative effort among five African National Public Health Institutes, five academic institutions (three African and two European), and five research centers (three African and two European). The initiative draws on successful models from Mozambique and Angola and is chaired by IHMT-NOVA with institutional support from participating partners.
Dr. Luz’s accomplishment underscores the importance of international collaboration in training public health professionals to address pressing epidemiological challenges in the region. His success paves the way for future cohorts of field epidemiologists who will contribute to stronger disease surveillance and response capacities in Cabo Verde and beyond.