USF College of Public Health (COPH) doctoral student and research assistant Dr. Marlene Joannie Bewa has earned the Faculty for the Future Fellowship.

The fellowship is sponsored by the Schlumberger Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at supporting gender equality in STEM and generating conditions that encourage women to pursue scientific careers in STEM disciplines. The organization awards fellowships for advanced research in STEM and “acts as a catalyst for these women to further tap into their potential,” according to their website.

Bewa, who also earned her MPH from the USF COPH in 2018, will receive up to $50,000 to conduct her dissertation research. 

“My research examines and measures quantitatively and qualitatively sexual and reproductive knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and at-risk behaviors among minority women, adolescents and youth with a focus on unintended pregnancy, contraceptive use and maternal health outcomes,” she said.

Bewa said that according to the World Health Organization, 17 million adolescent girls give birth every year and African countries lead the world in adolescent pregnancy rates.

“My dissertation will examine the multilevel factors of unintended pregnancy and contraceptive use among adolescents and young adults in Benin Republic, West Africa. It will identify perspectives for family-planning promotion and policy change through a mixed method research design,” she said. “This research will guide the design and implementation of future evidence-based programs and services for adolescent girls and suggest strategies for concrete multi-sectoral approaches to addressing adolescent pregnancy.”

Bewa said she looks forward to connecting with “like-minded researchers and women in science from all over the world who are conducting cutting-edge research,” as a result of the fellowship.

“Belonging to this cohort of women scientists gives me a support system I had been lacking for a while as well as a sense of belonging. It also helps to remove financial barriers and other stressors in conducting my dissertation research,” she said.

Upon graduating with her PhD in 2022, Bewa said she aims to work in research and teaching as an assistant professor or lead a global health or sexual, reproductive, maternal and child health organization building on her past experiences as an executive in a global health practice and non-profit work.

Story by Anna Mayor, USF College of Public Health