In the very first episode of Global Health Talks, we are joined by Dr. Tamara Giles-Vernick to explore why it's important to study infectious diseases through history, human lens and wider contexts to better understand the present.

Tamara Giles Vernick shares with us her path into the field and reflects on how well-intentioned volunteering projects can sometimes do more harm than good. We talk about the Sonar Cities project, which works to protect communities in times of crisis, and why mobilizing those who have already lived through emergencies may be one of the most powerful ways to support vulnerable populations.

We also reflect on gratitude, career paths, and what younger generations are doing differently to shape a more thoughtful future in global health.

If you want to learn more about the Sonar-cities project: https://sonar-cities.eu/tag/sonar-cities-sv/?lang=sv.

Dr. Tamara Giles Vernick is a researcher at the Institut Pasteur and head of its first Social Sciences Unit. Her work sits at the intersection of medical anthropology, history, and global health, focusing on how cultural, social, and historical contexts shape infectious disease transmission and response—particularly in African settings. She is also the coordinator of the Sonar Cities project, a European initiative working to strengthen urban resilience and ensure that vulnerable populations are included in crisis preparedness and response.

Nika Stastny is a global health PhD student, creator and the host of Global Health Talks. Her PhD focuses on developing diagnostic and prognostic devices in limited-resource settings. Through conversations with experts across disciplines, she explores the ideas, experiences, and human stories shaping the future of global health.