NICOLE RUDI
The Change I Want to Bring to the World
As a scientist and health advocate, I want to be involved in the transformation of people’s lifestyles toward better health and happiness. It angers me to see the rise in inflammatory diseases, especially in the West, where unhealthy eating habits and lifestyles, including a lack of exercise and of meaningful social interaction, push us farther away from reconnecting with our true natures and finding happiness. I believe it is paramount to teach the next generation about healthy living and nutrition and to unmask false beliefs about what makes us happy.
I would like to be involved in science communication to bridge the gap between research findings and common knowledge of global health challenges such as the rise in antimicrobial resistance. I believe we can rise together as a global community to the health crises we are facing, and I would like to be a part of the change I envision for the world.
How I’ve Been Involved in Changemaking So Far
During my studies at University College London (UCL), I have been a part of the UCL Nutrition Society committee, promoting healthy eating by organizing guest speakers and wellbeing events for students. I enjoyed creating the biweekly newsletter, in which I could combine my creativity and love for science to promote healthy eating.
I have also been involved in science communication through the Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Scholarship Programme. During my first summer project, I performed literature research on the role of the gut microbiome in modulating the outcome of stem cell transplantation and was involved in public engagement promoting awareness of the rise of antimicrobial resistance. During my public engagement, I co-organized a mini-symposium with UCL’s Institute of Child Health on the gut microbiota, which was an amazing opportunity for me to meet top scientists in the field and to improve my communication skills. I also created an online presentation on antimicrobial resistances for the Rise of the Resistance Festival. These experiences made me realize science communication is a scientist's responsibility and offers real solutions to tackling global health problems.
What Drew Me to This Fellowship
When I read the description of the Mentora Youth Changemaker Fellowship, I found my aspirations reflected in it. Over the past few years, I have been invested in understanding who I am at my core. I have been involved in other leadership projects, but I really want to connect inner change to outer impact. I feel humbled by the hope and vision of the Mentora Foundation, and I am excited by the opportunity to meet like-minded students of life as well as mentors who worked through their own inner struggles to achieve great social impact. I hope this fellowship will provide me with the tools to prompt inner growth and the opportunity to conduct my own changemaking project to promote healthy living.
