Find out more about our 2020 Travel Grantees and their work.
To support education and research in under-served regions of the world, ISUOG offers Travel Grants at each of its World Congresses. Travel Grant applicants are abstract submitters working in under-served regions of the world, and successful recipients are selected by the Scientific Committee. ISUOG is delighted to have awarded Travel Grants to the following Travel Grantees in 2020. Of course, this year, the Travel Grantees attended the Congress virtually. As well as this, ISUOG held additional online events for the Travel Grantees:
Pre Congress Travel Grant Social: ISUOG leaders, including Trustees, Scientific Committee members and Outreach Committee members, met with the 2020 Travel Grantees and past Travel Grantees. This was an informal, social gathering, whereby the Travel Grantees could find out more about ISUOG’s work and share their own work with representatives of ISUOG.
Post Congress Travel Grant Meeting on Digitalization: ISUOG’s Outreach Committee members and staff met with the 2020 Travel Grantees to discuss various issues, including Digitalization (Virtual Trainings) and potential longer-term contact and cooperation. Topics of conversation included how technology and virtual training has been successfully implemented in remote areas.
Please see below for the biographies, abstract titles and other details of the Travel Grantees
Will present on: Multifetal pregnancy reduction in Nepal – an initial experience
Dr Riwaz Acharya is a Lecturer of Radiology in Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital, and a Consultant Radiologist at Creators IVF Center, Kathmandu. He has more than six years of experience and extensive knowledge of imaging and diagnostics as well as interventional procedures. He is committed in delivering top care to all patients and providing a comfortable experience during the procedures. He has authored or co-authored several journal articles and indulges in several research projects. Dr Riwaz earned his bachelors degree and completed his residency at Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. He spent the majority of his childhood in India.
We asked what it meant to Riwaz to be attending the ISUOG Virtual World Congress:
''I am honored to be awarded with this grant. It is an even greater honor to be placed in such distinguished ranks, to be a part of such an esteemed Congress and to be able to share my thoughts as well. It would be a very valuable opportunity for me to learn and grow as a clinician from the various scientific programs and learning materials to be provided during the Congress. It is a very prestigious moment for my work to be recognized by such an esteemed society. I have always closely followed all the educational materials and guidelines provided by ISUOG, and now it feels great to be a part of it.''
Will present on: Management of ovarian cysts coexisting with pregnancy & Characterization of patients presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding with an indication for ultrasonography
Dr Lydia Akumu is an obstetrician gynecologist working at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital, in Nandi County, Kenya. She completed a master’s degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology from the University of Nairobi in December 2019. She is also a clinical fellow affiliated to the Joanna Briggs Institute, University of Adelaide, Australia, having undertaken a research fellowship programme on evidence based healthcare. Dr Akumu has a great interest in research about issues affecting women’s health, specifically menstrual health and hygiene. She has published a paper on the 'Assessment and management of women with heavy menstrual bleeding in Kenya: A best practice implementation project'. She aspires to educate women and hopefully end the stigmatization associated with menstruation with the goal of improving women’s health.
We asked what it meant to Lydia to be attending the ISUOG Virtual World Congress:
''It is a great honour to be one of this year’s recipients of the Travel Grant as this offers me a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend a World Congress and interact with experts in ultrasound in all fields as concerns obstetrics and gynecology. I have great interest in learning more about imaging in obstetrics and gynecology and improving my skills. I believe this will be an excellent opportunity to do this as I will get to interact and learn from the best. I look forward to networking with people in this field and possibly get mentors so that I can improve the care we offer our patients in Nandi County, Kenya, as a whole.''
Post Congress testimonial:
"I am humbled to have had an opportunity to attend the ISUOG 2020 Virtual Congress. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I thank the sponsors of the Travel Grant initiative for making it possible for me to attend the Congress. I enjoyed most of the sessions and I learnt a great deal. Having a keen interest in gynecology and especially on matters surrounding women’s health, I specifically enjoyed topics on investigating causes of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding and the classification and management of ovarian masses. I also learnt a great deal on how to use ultrasound scans to investigate and manage women with endometriosis. I had two abstracts which I presented at the Congress. This was a very new and different experience which I also enjoyed. I appreciated all the comments I got from the people who read my abstracts and I look forward to making more presentations in the future. I would highly recommend the ISUOG Congress to others, as it provides a good opportunity for learning and networking with people who are experts in the field of ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology. I hope to continue to actively participate in ISUOG activities as I look forward to ISUOG Congress in 2021."
Will present on: Maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes in patients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and intrauterine growth restriction
Dr María Mercedes Ancheta González recently finished a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialty distinctively in the University Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellin, Colombia. She obtained a Master’s degree in OBGYN from the San Carlos University of Guatemala, with academic excellence. She has been a University Professor and instructor of the ALSO course ¨Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics¨ ad honorem since 2009; with multiple international participations in meetings of Global ALSO and presenting research on maternal mortality. She has also been instructor of basic courses for traditional midwives and has worked in Tertiary Public Hospitals in Guatemala. She now has returned home to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala and as always has stood out for her dedication and discipline; now she has her main line of work in fetal growth restriction, and interests in fetal disease and fetal surgery. Her hope is to improve maternal fetal care and be a pioneer in research in her country.
A message from Maria:
''I would like to thank ISUOG for the opportunity you give us, students from countries which are in underserved regions of the world, to participate in your Congress. I am honored to have been awarded a Travel Grant and am excited to participate! Although this year`s online Congress will be challenging because of what the world is going through, I know ISUOG will give its best in excellence and innovation as always. Now more than ever we must stick together in the fight to improve maternal-fetal services all around the world and I only hope to take advantage and exploit the opportunity you have given me. What I am most looking forward is to meet and learn from such renowned professors and leading researchers so I can take this knowledge and awareness back to my colleagues and students in Guatemala. Thank you and I hope to see you soon!''
Post Congress testimonial:
"This year’s ISUOG Virtual World Congress was awesome! ISUOG had an amazing platform with many virtual places you could go. I was amazed by how organized it was. One of my favorite topics was fetal growth restriction, which had such amazing presenters! Since I have been a member of ISUOG I have had access to up to date material and on demand content, even from past Congresses, which have helped me in my daily practice. ISUOG has offered us many benefits and this year I was honored to receive the Travel Grant, which opened up a new world for me - I got to meet many of ISUOG`s organizers and talk to them about their experience. I do encourage many of you to apply and not be fearful, because it is an amazing experience and is worth the effort, plus you get to share your work. I will definitely attend next year! See you guys soon!"
Will present on: Competency-based assessment of obstetric Doppler training outcome in an ISUOG-accredited program in Nigeria
Dr Ibraheem O. Awowole graduated with MBChB HONOURS from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Nigeria. He is a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons, and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. He is also a Member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, England. He returned to Nigeria after completing his Advanced Training Module in Fetal Medicine in the UK, with the aim of improving the access of Nigerian women to specialized care in Feto-Maternal medicine. He is a Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Obstetrician at the Obafemi Awolowo University and the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, where he is actively involved in clinical research, provision of ultrasound services to women with high risk pregnancies, as well as training of both undergraduates and postgraduate specialist trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Post Congress testimonial:
"It was a worthwhile privilege for me to attend the ISUOG 2020 Virtual Congress. The opportunity to learn was immense. I found the lecture on prediction of preeclampsia, by Prof Nicolaides, very educating. I was also in awe, listening to the history of ultrasound. That lecture made me understand and appreciate the efforts and astuteness of earlier clinicians, as well as the improvement that modern day ultrasound practice has witnessed. I felt elated to have my abstract accepted for presentation during the Congress. Low and Middle-income countries need to improve their ratio of proficiently-trained Specialists: Patient ratio, in order to improve their bothersome health-related statistics. The ISUOG Congress gave me and my team members an avenue to present the impact of our ISUOG-accredited training workshop to such a large aggregation of international audience.
It was really impressive to witness the massive deployment of technology, and the high level of coordination, that made the program a success, despite the COVID pandemic. I will surely be recommending the next ISUOG Symposium and Congress to my friends, colleagues, associates and faculty members. They stand to benefit immensely from these events. I will also be joining these events, considering the enormous volume of information and education that the 2020 program presented. As a privileged beneficiary of the ISUOG Travel Grant, I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to ISUOG for the kind gesture. It was a commendable support, especially for Researchers and Ultrasound Practitioners in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
Thank you once again, ISUOG."
Will present on: Evaluation of brain biometry in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia on ultrasound and MRI throughout pregnancy
Dr Doaa Emam studied at Tanta University, Egypt. She is an assistant lecturer at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt. She has carried out research as an International Scholar funded by Central Missions Department (Egypt) and KU Leuven University (Belgium). Her main research interest is the brain development of fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
A message from Doaa:
"It is an honor for me to be awarded with the Travel Grant for the 30th ISUOG Congress. I am looking forward to the first Virtual ISUOG World Congress. It will be an excellent opportunity to explore new trends in my field of research and enrich my knowledge by following lectures from the most recognized researchers in our area. I would like to thank the Scientific Committee for this opportunity, and I congratulate ISUOG for providing a chance for researchers from developing countries to express their work. What once was a dream became a reality."
Post Congress testimonial:
"Attending ISUOG 2020 was a fantastic experience for me, I can honestly say it was a highlight of 2020. When I found out that I had a Travel Grant, I was most excited to attend the sessions on the first trimester scan, chromosomal anomalies screening, fetal CNS anomalies scan and the future of fetal surgery. I found the teachings on the importance of the first trimester scan and IUGR management topics very valuable. Presenting my abstract at the Congress was stunning, I am really proud of it. It is a great step in my career. I would really recommend attending ISUOG Congresses. I will do my best to have excellent work that deserves to be presented at the 2021 Congress."
Will present on: Qualitative assessment of the feasibility and acceptability of a low-cost device for gestational age assessment in a low-resource setting
Angela is an obstetrician - scientist at the Aga Khan University’s Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health and an instructor at the department of obstetrics and gynaecology. She holds a masters in obstetrics and gynaecology (AKU) and an MSc in epidemiology (LSHTM). She is based in Kilifi Kenya where she leads a research team studying placental disorders and other pregnancy conditions as part of a large multi-centre study – the Pregnancy Care Integrating Translational Science, Everywhere (PRECISE). Angela has an interest in obstetric ultrasound and is keen to develop new approaches to pregnancy dating appropriate for low resource settings. Currently, she is involved in the evaluation of a low cost ultrasound based tool for pregnancy dating that applies automated measurement of the trans-cerebellar diameter. Her other research interests are: preeclampsia and its risk factors; aetiology of preterm birth and the role of diagnostics in antenatal care in low resource settings.
A message from Angela:
"I am thrilled to receive the Travel Grant to ISUOG2020. As a young and upcoming researcher in a LMIC, I often wonder whether my research is important and whether an international audience would be interested in it. This award is a major boost in confidence and reminds me that my research in a small health facility in rural Kenya is important and has a place in the development of obstetric ultrasound globally. I will use this opportunity to share the research and its findings and to emphasize the importance of context in implementing new innovations. I will also listen to learn the latest developments and innovations and their impact in obstetrics and to identify those that could be applicable for my setting. I hope to identify researchers and clinicians who I could work with in the future towards translating these innovations to make them more appropriate for LMIC settings."
Will present on: Dichorionic pregnancy with a mole and a coexisting live fetus: successful prenatal diagnosis, treatment and follow-up in a resource-limited setting
Dr Heritier Gashema studied at the University of Rwanda and works as an Obstetrician and Gynecologist at the Nyagatare District Hospital, which has about 500 deliveries a month 300 antenatacare appointments every week.
Heritier explains why he is looking forward to attend the ISUOG Virtual World Congress:
''I was trained by ISUOG about Basic Ultrasound in 2019 by the highly skilled Professor Angela Lanzini. With her help on a WhatsApp group and with the ISUOG website, I have acquired knowledge and skills which have helped me to make several prenatal diagnoses and to manage them accordingly. I cannot wait to attend this Congress where I will learn from different professors and gain skills and knowledge which will help in improving the quality of care of African women and teaching Colleagues in general.''
Post Congress testimonial:
"It has been an honour to attend the ISUOG Virtual Congress. Seeing professors whose books I’ve read was inspirational; especially Prof Stuart Campbell and Prof Kypros Nicolaides, among others. The Congress was well organized, presenters were exceptional, and practical sessions and group discussions were extremely important. I realized that sub-Saharan Africa still has a gap; but we can do better by our determination, hard work and political will. I learnt that complications surrounding preterm deliveries, preeclampsia and fetus with congenital malformations among others are more expensive than prevention and timely diagnosis and management. Obstetricians and gynecologists are advised to be involved in ISUOG activities, it will not only upgrade their skills but also it will improve the quality of care of women’s health. I do appreciate the opportunity offered to me and thank Dr Angela Ranzini who trained me and showed me the benefit of ISUOG. I will stay in touch with ISUOG throughout my career."
Will present on: Evaluation of risk of malignancy index for pre-operative diagnosis of ovarian cancer
Dr Ekta Jaiswal currently works as a Gynae Laparoscopic surgeon as well as an Obstetrician in Paropkar Maternity & Women’s Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. This is the largest birthing center in Nepal. She does imaging in Obstetrics and Gynaecology on a regular basis in OPD. Dr Ekta Jaiswal was awarded a scholarship provided by the Indian government to pursue post-graduate studies in India and completed post-graduate studies (MD Obs/Gynae) from PGIMER, Chandigarh, India. She did her undergraduate (MBBS) at Kathmandu University, Nepal. She was awarded the silver medal in a paper on CME cum workshop on fetal medicine at IGMC, Shimla, India in 2016.
A message from Ekta:
''I had been looking for a Congress like ISUOG's that would offer me a place to find the latest information on gynecological cancers and high-risk pregnancies and training and trends in use of ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. This will be an invaluable experience that will undoubtedly shape the future of my career. I will have the opportunity to learn and share my knowledge with peers and discuss the issues facing me in my day-to-day tasks. I will also be able to see the latest development in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology.''
Post Congress testimonial:
"The ISUOG Virtual Congress was a great learning experience. I am very thankful to the ISUOG team for the Travel Grant as well as providing me the opportunity to present my abstract. I would highly recommend this Congress to all my colleagues as it is a single platform where you can gain so much information and the latest updates in the field of ultrasound as well as obstetrics and gynaecology. I’m hoping to attend ISUOG 2021."
Dr Nicole Evelyn Osaji (Nigeria)
Consultant obstetrician and gynecologist, 2020 ISUOG Travel Grantee
Will present on: The relationship between ultrasound-assessed cervical length and performance of induced labour
Dr Nicole Evelyn Chiude Osaji is a fellow of the West African College of surgeons and member of the National Postgraduate Medical College in Nigeria, among others. She is a researcher in various published works, editorials and ongoing studies. She has co-facilitated some ISUOG approved ultrasound training programs in Benin and Nigeria. Her passion in obstetrics and gynecological ultrasound imaging is especially evident in her zeal to bridge the gap between contemporary obstetrics care and access to the less privileged.
A message from Nicole:
''It is with great honor and joy I write to express my gratitude for being awarded the Travel Grant for ISUOG 2020, the leading event in Obstetric and Gynecological ultrasound. The annual Congress is inspirational to me, giving an edge to my professional care as it stimulates better educative and insightful practice. I am particularly looking forward to learning about recent frontiers in first trimester ultrasound, to encourage anomaly scans during the first thirteen weeks for better patient management. The innovative means of learning through virtual communications is thrilling and exciting. This new strategy in learning will be very informative. Ultimately, obtaining new insights into contemporary obstetrics and gynecological case management will be great.''
Post Congress testimonial:
"Thank you so much for the exceptional opportunity afforded to me to be a recipient of the Travel Grant, thus solidifying my enthusiasm and drive to acquire and create more awareness for ISUOG. It has been a great experience so far. I particularly looked forward to fetal anomalies ultrasound in the first trimester during the Congress. The lecture proved to be very edifying, further re-emphasizing the need for more of these ultrasounds to be scheduled during the first trimester for adequate patient management. The social sessions were as scintillating as they were educative. The Congress was quite exhilarating and I definitely would not miss the World Congress in 2021. I thank the entire organizing committee so much. I am grateful beyond words can express."
Will present on: The influence of ultrasound screening on maternal and fetal outcomes in selected health facilities in low resource area, Kumasi metropolitan district
Yusif Yakub has a decade of clinical practice and teaching in OBGYN Ultrasonography and a Masters in Public Health. He was a local trainer (faculty member - 2015/16) for ISUOG, and has since mentored several doctors and midwives in Basic Obstetrics and Gynecological Ultrasonography in the sub-Saharan region, to augment their healthcare delivery and promote women’s health by enhanced detection rate of possible causes of maternal mortality through ultrasound screening. He also works on research into the causes and prevention of maternal mortality: the role of ultrasound, in low resource settings.
A message from Yusif:
"It is a great honor and privilege to be granted the prestigious Travel Grant and to present my research at the leading Obstetrics and Gynecological Ultrasound Congress in the world. I hope to learn new knowledge and leave the Congress with continuous learning and training development opportunities for clinicians and midwives in the sub-Saharan region to curb the incidence of maternal mortality and improve maternal, fetal and neonatal health."