By Lilian Nuwabaine
Five years ago and beyond, my relationship with research was defined more by passion than publications. I had participated in a clinical trial, completed both my undergraduate and master’s research projects, and believed deeply in the power of evidence, but I had no journal publications to demonstrate that commitment.
Like many early-career researchers, my initial submissions faced rejection. Rather than diminishing my curiosity, these experiences revealed a critical gap: I had ideas and a strong desire to influence clinical practice and health policy, but I lacked the structured mentorship needed to translate knowledge into publishable, policy-relevant evidence. That season taught me a defining lesson: passion initiates the journey, but mentorship accelerates impact.
Recognizing this gap, I intentionally sought mentorship from a friend, a medical doctor who was excelling in evidence generation. That single step transformed my trajectory. I was welcomed into a collaborative network of young, intentional health researchers and mentored through the entire research continuum, from conceptualization to dissemination. In that environment, I experienced the power of teamwork, the rigor of research, and the beauty of innovation driven by purpose.
As an intentional young nurse and midwife specialist, this transformation ignited a broader vision. I recognized that nurses and midwives remain underrepresented in research, not due to a lack of insight, but because of limited access to skills, mentorship, and platforms.
Through my initiative, Your Nurse and Midwife on Air, I began mentoring Ugandan nurses and midwives, deliberately identifying and nurturing those passionate about research. Together, we have conducted collaborative research across low-resource settings in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone.
Since 2022 to date, by God’s grace and through intentional mentorship and teamwork, I have published over 22 papers in high-impact journals focused on sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, adolescent health, and nutrition.
This body of work has informed clinical practice and contributed to health policy discourse, demonstrating that when nurses and midwives lead research, communities benefit. I remain deeply humbled that this journey has received institutional, national, and international recognition, including two Awards of Excellence in Research Scholarly Outputs from The Aga Khan University (2023), selection as a Top 10 Global Finalist for the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2024, and being named the Episteme Award Recipient 2025, affirming what is possible when mentorship meets purpose and innovation serves humanity.
The writer is the Episteme Award Recipient 2025; World’s Best Nurse Finalist 2024; Multi-Award-Winning Researcher 2023; Heroes in Health Award–Winning Midwife 2021; and Outstanding Woman of 2021.
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