Vanessa Sanchez is a graduate student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing through the Entry-into-Nursing program. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, along with a Pre-Health Professions Certificate. Her background spans a wide range of experiences, including clinical care in gastroenterology, clinical research in neurology, and emergency medical services in community health. Her interdisciplinary experience has led her to transition into nursing, while maintaining a strong interest in research.
Vanessa currently serves as a Graduate Research Assistant with the Gambia Research Ethics and Methodology Training Initiative (GamREMTI). She’s particularly interested in supporting the growth of research capacity and strengthening research methodology and ethical research practices to contribute to the generation of evidence that can ultimately be translated into better patient outcomes in clinical practice. She believes that strengthening the ability of researchers and healthcare professionals to conduct high-quality research is essential to expanding the evidence base, advancing evidence-based interventions, and creating a long-term impact not only in The Gambia, but globally as well.