INSIGHTS

/• Why did you become a pathologist, and what fascinates you about this field?

I decided to become a pathologist because I wanted to contribute to diagnostic medicine in Rwanda, which currently has fewer than 20 pathologists serving a population of around 14 million people. Without an accurate diagnosis, clinicians often struggle to provide the most effective treatment, which highlights the critical role pathology plays in patient care and outcomes. And I am fascinated by how a diagnosis made under the microscope can directly influence treatment decisions and improve patients’ lives.

• What is a typical day like for a pathologist in Rwanda? How does the training program work?

A typical day involves a variety of scheduled activities, including attending the grossing station to take representative sections from tissue samples, performing fine needle aspirations for patients with lumps, microscopic review of histological slides to make diagnoses, discussing cases with clinicians during tumor boards, and participating in teaching activities. The training program is highly practical and hands-on, although we often work with limited resources.

• How did you first learn about the foundation and its funding opportunities?

I first learned about the foundation through a professional colleague who had previously been supported by the foundation. I learned about its mission of promoting pathology through research and education, and decided to apply for the Vladimir Totović travel grant which I was later awarded to attend the 15th International Junior Academy held in Bordeaux, France

• How has participating in the International Junior Academy changed your work?

At the International Junior Academy, I had the opportunity to meet renowned pathologists from different parts of the world, mainly from developed European countries. Through these interactions, I learned best practices in diagnosis, which expanded my professional perspective, strengthened my diagnostic skills, and exposed me to innovative approaches that I can apply in my daily practice to improve patient outcomes.

• In addition to sharing knowledge, we also want to encourage interaction among participants from different countries. Have we succeeded in doing so?

Absolutely. The program created a welcoming environment for collaboration and exchange, and it allowed participants from different countries to build lasting professional and personal connections.

• You are currently in Göttingen on a 3-month research fellowship with Prof. Ströbel to learn more about digital pathology. How can you integrate these new insights into your daily work after your return and share this knowledge with your colleagues?

In addition to the travel grant, I was also awarded the foundation’s Research Fellowship grant to help actualize my long-term goal of introducing digital pathology in Rwanda. I am truly grateful to the foundation for its significant contribution to the success of my professional career. This fellowship has provided me with valuable exposure to digital pathology and modern diagnostic workflows. I have had the opportunity to learn from outstanding professors, trainees, and assistants at the Institute of Pathology, which is fully digitalized. After returning home, I hope to share this knowledge through the online platform we are building, (www.pathorwanda.com), as well as through teaching sessions, collaborative discussions, and the gradual implementation of digital approaches in our practice

• How important are these funding programs for you and for your colleagues, particularly those from Africa?

These funding programs are extremely important because they provide access to advanced training, international mentorship, and technologies that are often difficult to access in my country and many other African institutions. For example, back home we do not routinely perform high-end molecular pathology techniques such as sequencing. Therefore, when someone like me receives an opportunity through the foundation’s funding programs to train at advanced institutions like the University Medical Center Göttingen, it becomes a life-changing experience not only for the individual recipient but also for the entire home institution. Such exposure helps shift our approach from relying mainly on morphological diagnosis to integrating molecular-level understanding of patients’ conditions, ultimately improving patient care.

• What advice would you give to young colleagues who are just starting their training in pathology?

I would encourage them to remain courageous, curious, and committed to continuous learning. Pathology requires attention to detail and strong pattern recognition skills, but it is also a very rewarding field that has a major impact on patient care. In addition, I would advise them to actively seek international exposure through conferences and training opportunities, as these experiences broaden their global perspective in pathology rather than limiting their thinking to local practice alone.

• How do you assess the role of social media in the training of pathologists in your country?

Social media has become an important educational tool and plays a key role, especially in resource-limited settings. It allows pathologists to access educational materials, connect with international experts, and stay updated with developments in the field. For example, and not as an advertisement, I frequently follow Dr. Jerad Gardner on his YouTube channel for Dermatopathology cases, which are often challenging. This is particularly helpful because we currently do not have a Dermatopathologist in Rwanda to teach this subspecialty locally.