As an attendee of the Fulbright enrichment seminary on Global Health Initiatives, I had the privilege to listen to the impressive William Foege, the American epidemiologist that played a major role in the campaign leading to the eradication of small-pox. An amazing story teller, Dr. Foege publicly answered a question his 13 year old grand-daughter had asked him:

“If you died tomorrow, what is it you wish you could have told me?”

1. Pay attention to the people around you, be mindful, be respectful. Across your career, many people will approach you with their problems and proposals, be ready to show respect by listening to all of them.

2. Avoid certainty, the Achille’s heel of science and progress. Be ready to question both yourself and others.

3. Continue to learn, as opposite to being learnt, because the science of the learnt quickly becomes outdated.

4. Seek the truth, but know the limits of science – always practice science with a moral compass.

5. Home is not where you are from, home is where you are needed.