Fadi Basha
Bseisu Scholar at University of Cambridge, 2024
My name is Fadi Basha, I am a physician and a public health researcher from Palestine. I was awarded the Bseisu-University of Cambridge Scholarship to pursue the MPhil in Population Health Sciences at the University of Cambridge in 2024/2025.
My passion for public health started during my time in medical school, where I noticed that there is little focus on preventing diseases and promoting healthier lifestyles. This motivated me to transition into population health, where I focus on reducing the risk of these diseases and helping Palestinians lead longer and healthier lives.
The first step of this transition was the MPhil in Population Health Sciences at Cambridge. The lectures I attended expanded my understanding and knowledge into effective public health policies and interventions. Additionally, the mentorship I received from my supervisors during my research project enhanced my research skills and fed my scientific curiosity. Finally, the amazing colleagues and researchers I met during the course inspired and motivated me to reach to my fullest potential.
Music was an essential part of my Cambridge journey. I have been playing the violin since I was 8, and music has always been a part of everything I do. In Cambridge, I got to go the extra mile. I performed in more than 15 concerts throughout the academic year, from playing Beethoven 3rd with the Cambridge Graduate Orchestra to Scheherazade with the Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra. I also got to organise my own recital, where I played a mix of Arabic, Latin and Irish music and share the fun and love of music with many people. This enriched my Cambridge experience and created moments that I would never forget.
Upon returning to Palestine, I continued to advance public health knowledge and expertise. I am a lecturer at An-Najah National University, where I teach medical students within the public health department and aid in conducting research projects. Additionally, I recently started an internship at the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), where I am working on projects related to public health education and applied epidemiology. I also continue to share my love of music by teaching young violinists at Al-Kamandjati association and playing in many concerts.
In the near future, I intend to continue my doctoral studies in Public health and primary care. I aim to work on advancing our understanding of the drivers behind the rise in tobacco consumption in Palestine specifically, and the Arabic region generally. This particularly relevant in Palestine as conflict areas see an increase in tobacco use. By improving our understanding, we can create impactful, evidence-based interventions that can help reduce tobacco use in Palestine which will help more and more Palestinians lead fruitful and healthy lives.
All of this would not have been possible without the support of the Amjad and Suha Bseisu Foundation. Gaining higher education is not about the degree, it is about the knowledge, experience and connections you gain that expand your horizon and unlock your hidden potentials. Having the opportunity to do that at Cambridge was a pivotal moment in my career and I am looking forward to where this journey takes me.