Fellow profile: Dr Moleen Dzikiti
In her Career Development Fellowship, Dr Moleen Dzikiti (South Africa) conducted a study to evaluate the effects of text messaging combined with motivational interviewing versus the standard-of-care on sustaining continued breastfeeding, as well as the contribution of the combined intervention on child health and survival outcomes, among women living with HIV and their infants. We asked Dr Dzikiti how her EDCTP Fellowhsip helped her to establish herself as a research leader in maternal and child health and HIV.
Where were you in your career before your fellowship and what made you decide to apply for the EDCTP Career Development Fellowship?
In high school, I was good in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and biology, which inspired me to pursue a career in science. Before applying for an EDCTP Career Development Fellowship, I received the Janssen/ CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network Postdoctoral Fellowship to conduct a pilot trial. The pilot trial evaluated the feasibility of a trial on the effects of interactive weekly mobile phone text messaging plus motivational interviewing versus standard of care in promoting and sustaining continued breastfeeding. Building on the pilot trial findings I applied for the EDCTP career development fellowship to conduct the definitive large clinical trial.
Your EDCTP Fellowship aims to evaluate new approaches to improve infant health, such as text messaging and motivational interviewing. What is special about this approach?
Text messaging and motivational interviewing are low-cost interventions that have been beneficial across many health problems. The interventions can easily be integrated within the current established infant feeding counselling conventions.
How has this Career Development Fellowship allowed you to establish yourself as an independent researcher who is leading your own research studies and able to attract funding?
Through this Fellowship, I gained some experience in acquiring and administering research grants, implementing, and coordinating research projects. I am establishing a track record of independence, showcasing promise as a research leader in maternal-child health and HIV/AIDS and clinical trial design and conduct. This is underscored by my recent national recognition as a C2-rated scientist by the South African National Research Foundation in 2023, acknowledging the quality and impact of my research outputs.
How has this fellowship helped you to establish new collaborations and engage in national activities? Could you please provide an example of a collaboration that started from your fellowship?
Because of my expertise in clinical trials, I have been invited to serve on the scientific and ethical advisory board of the Youth Co-Production for Sustainable Engagement and Empowerment in Health (YiPEE) project led by Karolinska Institutet and citiesRISE, and in partnership with Stellenbosch University, Tampere University and University of Antwerp. I was also recently invited to serve on the Data and Safety Monitoring Board for the HIVST study, which is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. Guided by the large trial findings, I am working on a UK Research and Innovation Applied global health research funding application. Through the application, I have established new international research collaborators from the UK.
What challenges (personal and/or professional) have you encountered during your research career and/or after your EDCTP Fellowship? How did you overcome them?
Establishing long-term collaborations with international collaborators or institutions has been one of my major challenges. I am always looking for opportunities to widen my collaborative network through my current international network.
What advice do you have for researchers starting out?
Set your career goals and always look for mentorship opportunities and to widen your collaborative network, both at national and international levels.
What are your future career aspirations?
My future career goals are to achieve international recognition as a research leader in maternal and child health and clinical trial design and conduct.
What would you like your legacy to be?
I hope that people will remember me for my contribution to the evaluation of health interventions for decision-making in the field of maternal child health and HIV/AIDS.