Alumni Spotlight: Lotenna Olisaeloka

Lotenna studied the Global Health and Development MSc at UCL and is now a doctoral researcher at the UBC Faculty of Medicine, where he focuses on translational research in digital mental health.

UCL’s Institute for Global Health have just launched our new Global Mental Health MSc, and while the MSc may be new, but our teaching and research on mental health around the globe is not. We got in touch with Lotenna to talk about how studying global mental health in his course has shaped his career.

How did studying global mental health change your perspective on health systems or policy? 

As a medical doctor, the module was eye-opening. It broadened my perspective beyond the individual-level bio-medical model of care and introduced me to the bio-psycho-socio-cultural model of mental health. I also learned about the global mental health treatment gap and population mental health approaches to address it. I gained a much deeper understanding of power dynamics in global mental health, alongside practical skills such as stakeholder engagement and participatory research.

The experience was both pleasant and deeply thought-provoking, and it has strongly shaped how I think about equity and community participation in global health research. These learnings now directly inform my doctoral work at UBC, where I develop digital and AI-based mental health tools. They help me prioritise equity and safety, and to address issues such as algorithmic bias and digital exclusion through co-development approaches.

What were the most valuable things you learned from studying global mental health?

What I valued most was the real-world, implementation-oriented focus of the module. Unlike many courses, it was highly practical. We applied tools such as theory of change, programme design, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks, to develop a global mental health project, including pitching a proposal in a mock session to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. My team designed an intervention for perinatal depression in Amajuba, South Africa.

This hands-on approach made the learning especially meaningful. It allowed me to translate theory into practice while also developing key professional skills, including teamwork, intersectoral collaboration, project management, budget preparation, and monitoring and evaluation.

How does UCL’s approach to global mental health differ from other institutions, in your experience? 

UCL’s approach felt truly interdisciplinary, global, and practice oriented. The global health cohort included students from a wide range of academic backgrounds and more than 15 countries, which created space for rich discussions across regions, disciplines, and health systems. Learning alongside peers with such diverse perspectives made the experience especially enriching and grounded in real-world complexity.

What skills or knowledge did you gain from the module that you’ve used in your career or further studies?

I gained skills in participatory research, equity-by-design principles, stakeholder collaboration, programme planning and implementation, and securing project funding. These skills have been directly applicable in both my academic and applied work.

Has the studying mental health influenced your career path or research interests?

Yes, very strongly. The mental health module deepened my commitment to closing the global mental health treatment gap through digital mental health interventions. It influenced my master’s dissertation, which received a distinction and was later published. Through this work, I discovered the research of my current supervisor and ultimately chose a PhD project focused on interdisciplinary collaboration, user co-development, and equity-by-design in AI and digital mental health.

What would you say to someone thinking about studying global mental health at UCL? 

I would encourage them to come with an open mind, ready to challenge their assumptions and collaborate across disciplines and cultures. Studying global mental health at UCL is both academically rigorous and professionally useful. London itself added to the experience, offering a diverse, vibrant, and welcoming environment that felt like home.