Alpha Forna

Research postgraduate student, School of Public Health

Who inspires you?

I’ve been inspired by Professor Christl Donnelly, from the School of Public Health. She’s guided me to do some great research, and has allowed me to learn and figure things out for myself. I feel empowered to go and do more research that will impact positively on the lives of people living in communities vulnerable to disease.

Do you have a quote that you find inspiring?

“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison”, Nelson Mandela. I found this quote, speaking of the power of forgiveness, most profound.

What led you to studying at Imperial?

The desire to better understand infectious diseases, particularly the Ebola virus, which has caused so much devastation in my home country, Sierra Leone.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

To be a bit more curious about everything and learn and grow from every experience, good or bad.