Meet Jina Pacifique
Kato Wabbi
Program
Second-year PhD Candidate, Faculty of Engineering (Biomedical Engineering)
Home Country and City
Uganda, Kampala
Connection to Western International
Peer Guide Network Leader and International Student
Languages I speak
English, Luganda, Arabic (less fluent)
Why I chose Western
I chose Western because I had already developed a strong working relationship with my supervisors through a collaboration while I was at Makerere University in Uganda. That experience gave me confidence in the research environment and the people I would be working with. Western’s strong reputation, excellent research culture and access to valuable resources also made it the right place to continue my studies.
My favourite place on campus
My favourite place on campus is my lab at Robarts Research Institute. It has a welcoming but focused environment, and whenever I arrive, I feel motivated and ready to get to work.
My favourite place in London
My favourite place in London is the London Muslim Mosque because it gives me a strong sense of community and belonging. It is a welcoming place where I can connect with others, reflect and feel at home.
Highlights from my Western experience
One of the biggest highlights of my Western experience was being featured in the IMPACT Project, where I shared my research on using AI to predict and prevent failures of life-saving medical equipment. It was a meaningful opportunity to explain why this work matters, especially for health care systems in resource-limited settings. I have also enjoyed playing intramural soccer and volleyball and participating in activities organized by SOGS, which have helped me connect with people beyond my research.
A fun fact about me
I am an identical twin, so I have a brother who looks almost exactly like me. I also love motorbikes more than cars because I enjoy the speed, the thrill, and the whole vibe that comes with riding.
My advice for new students or students considering going abroad
Be open to asking questions. There is a lot to learn when adjusting to a new university and country, and you do not have to figure everything out by yourself. Asking someone a simple question can lead you to helpful information, resources and opportunities that you might not otherwise discover.
Ask Me About
Moving from Uganda to Canada; adjusting to life as an international graduate student; engineering and research at Western; working at Robarts Research Institute; building relationships with supervisors; campus recreation and intramural sports; and finding community and support at Western.
