Incredible opportunity to study and work

Mary Anne Land joined The George Institute for Global Health in 2010. Not even 12 months after completing her Masters in Public Health in her hometown of Wollongong NSW, she now finds herself completing an internship at The World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva.

“Since joining The George Institute in 2010, I have been encouraged to pursue every opportunity to strengthen my research”, says Mary Anne, who revels in the chance to complete her PhD while working in public health at The Institute.

Working as a Research Assistant in the Food Policy team, Mary Anne is primarily focused on the extensive salt-reduction work at The Institute. The significant program of research and advocacy now extends from Australia to Asia and now, Europe.

“I am learning a great deal about how to do research at the same time as having the opportunity to work in the field, both in Australia and overseas. I am currently project managing a National Health and Medical Research Council funded partnership project on salt reduction in Australia while completing my PhD.”

But it’s the internship at the WHO that Mary Anne says has been the icing on the cake. “My WHO internship has enabled me to meet and build relationships with experts from all over the world and seek advice from leaders not only in field of nutrition, but in the areas of health promotion, policy and finance.” 

“I am working with the Surveillance and Population-based Prevention team on developing a toolkit for Member States to monitor salt consumption. The experience has been second to none. I have been an observer in consultation meetings for the global monitoring framework and voluntary global targets for the prevention and control of Non-Communicable diseases and at the World Health Assembly,” Mary Anne said.

Both her PhD and internship will contribute towards a framework to support countries in developing and implementing effective and sustainable salt reduction strategies. Such a framework will help achieve the WHO target population salt consumption of less than five grams per day and reduce the risk and impact of cardiovascular diseases.

When asked about her career choice Mary Anne said she aspired to a career that would make a difference.

“A total of 57 million deaths occurred in the world during 2008 and 36 million were due to Non-Communicable Diseases, principally cardiovascular diseases. Salt reduction has been identified as a best-buy and cost effective action that should be undertaken immediately to provide accelerated results in terms of lives saved, diseases prevented and heavy costs avoided. I’m so proud to be learning and contributing to this body of work. I’m lucky to be guided by experts including Bruce Neal, Vicki Flood and Jacqui Webster and to work on an issue that is now a World Health Organisation priority.”

Enjoying life in Geneva, Mary Anne says the traveling, new sights, sounds and adventures including running the Geneva marathon and climbing Mt Blanc have been personal highlights for her. “My involvement on the intern board as the sports coordinator has led me on cycling tours and hikes in the Alps and all sorts of adventures.”