In its September blog, The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) featured Tsedey Tsegaye as a young professional in the field of cancer research and communication: “For Tsedey Tsegaye, the Margaret Foti Scholarship was more than a way to fund her education. It was a lifeline: a path out of war-torn Ethiopia and a chance to reclaim her dreams and the version of herself that the war had stolen. In many ways, she says, the scholarship saved her life.”  

Despite the war and its horrific impact, Tsegaye was able to build a career as a young professional in the area of scientific innovation. In Ethiopia she spearheaded a specialized Biomechanics STEM program and designed footwear for people with diabetes, using the antibacterial properties of bamboo. She also speaks several languages, including Amharic, Tigregna, and English. Today, Tsegaye makes us proud as a young community researcher for the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. In April 2026, Tsegaye presented her research on informatics-driven approaches to strengthening community-based cancer screening at a poster session during the AACR Annual Meeting. 

Last year, the AACR blog included a story about Janet Mosugu, the 2023 winner of the Foti Scholarship. Before joining the CDSC master’s program, Mosugu was a young veterinarian dedicated to public veterinary health in her native Nigeria. The blog article cites her saying: “During this time, I saw that a lot of communities in Nigeria were resistant to receiving health interventions like vaccines even if they were incentivized or offered free of charge. There are a lot of misconceptions and superstitions surrounding medical interventions in Nigeria, and, while some communities will readily accept interventions, others will not. That triggered my interest in using strategic communications to combat medical misinformation and ultimately improve health in communities like these.” She researched strategic ways to design public health messages, participated in anti-rabies campaigns, and even published journal articles, including a study on bacteria that impacts public health in Nigeria. 

Mosugu completed her master’s program with a capstone examining how diverse ethnic and cultural communities in North Philadelphia understand menopause. Following graduation, she completed a one-year internship in the Communications and Public Relations Office at the AACR. 

Today, Sofía Robledo and Haki Kiiru are the 2026 Foti Scholarship recipients currently completing the master’s program in Communication for Development and Social Change. With roots in Colombia and Kenya respectively, these two young communication professionals will surely add to our pride.