Kelsey Cook
Place of Origin: Cape Coral, Florida
Major: Anthropology with minors in African Studies, Health Disparities, and Statistics
Interest in African Studies: I initially became affiliated with CAS through various coursework, including language classes such as Swahili. I am currently enrolled in Intermediate Swahili and this exposure to East African culture has prompted my goal of one day conducting research in either Tanzania or Kenya. I will be going to Tanzania this summer to conduct research under Dr. Strong surrounding meanings of pain. While my knowledge leans toward East Africa, I aspire to explore diverse countries like Morocco, Senegal, DRC, Angola, driven by a deep interest in African culture, politics, and history. Additionally, I’m motivated to understand the impact of international organizations, neo-colonialism, and to conduct research in this area in the future.
Passion: I am deeply passionate about ensuring equitable access to healthcare, promoting wildlife conservation, and advancing environmental justice through sustainability programs. These diverse passions are evident in both my academic and personal pursuits.
Five-Year Aspirations: My main interest lies within medical anthropology and the anthropology of aging. Following graduation, I plan to attend graduate school for a PhD in Medical Anthropology to conduct research concerning cross-cultural perspectives of aging and dementia care. I aspire to apply my research post-graduate school, collaborating with community-based organizations to address the researched problems.
Zofa Matondo
Place of Origin: Tampa, Florida, second generation Tanzanian
Major : Health Science with a minor in Health DisparitiesÂ
Interest in African Studies : My passion for African studies stems from a fascination with the continent’s cultural and environmental diversity, as well as a commitment to addressing health disparities. I am eager to expand my understanding of public health and developmental healthcare across different African regions. I am particularly interested in how systemic factors influence healthcare access and outcomes, especially in maternal and child health. I have a strong interest in research, with the goal of contributing to evidence-based solutions that improve healthcare delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa. Long-term, I aspire to integrate clinical practice, research, and public health initiatives to support sustainable healthcare advancements in the region.
Interesting facts about you: Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, as a second-generation Tanzanian-American, I have developed a unique cultural perspective. This has fueled my passion for exploring diverse cuisines, and I especially enjoy cooking East African dishes like vitambua and pilau. I love traveling, particularly to tropical destinations where I can immerse myself in nature, experience different cultures, and try new foods. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities like biking, running, and nature walks, as well as practicing yoga, listening to music, and reading.
Five-year goals: My goals include attending graduate school, building on my current research to make a meaningful impact in my field, and becoming fluent in Swahili to improve my cross-cultural communication. I hope to engage in public outreach initiatives to share knowledge and connect with different communities. Ultimately, I aspire to engage in research that contributes to important conversations in healthcare and public health. Through committing to community involvement, I hope to make a lasting impact as I move forward in my academic and professional journey.
Paul Blignaut
Place of Origin: Boulder, Colorado
Major: 1st Year in International Studies with an emphasis on Africa and an International Relations Certificate, African Studies minor
Interest in African Studies: My first memories about Africa are with my Grandpa on his screened-in porch in Indiana. He would tell stories of his bush camping adventures with friends in Eswatini and the Limpopo region of South Africa where he grew up. From then on, I knew I would eventually live in Africa. Throughout the course of my academic journey, I determined that security is an all-too-common weak link that leads to failed states and destroys human development initiatives. Questions regarding security in Africa, and its role in providing a foundation for progress, became my obsession, my passion.
Passion: I am deeply passionate about gaining a better understanding of African culture and language, starting with East Africa and Swahili, as it is where I currently reside and study here in rural Tanzania as of writing this entry. I am working to better understand the various causes of the ongoing conflicts within the Great Lakes region and Great Rife Valley. I am passionate about the prospect of the United States and many African countries working closer together to develop and implement security initiatives that are constructively designed to create more space for an increased rate of progressive human and economic development.
Five-Year Aspirations: With a graduation date in 2026, I look to quickly pursue a career in national security, working on operational American African foreign policy objectives.
Rebekkah Hudson
Place of Origin:: Jacksonville, Florida
Major: 3rd year in History and Linguistics with minors in African Studies and English
Interest in African Studies: I have a strong interest in 20th century East African history and, in particular, histories that depict the relationship between social, cultural, and environmental issues. These research interests lay the framework for my dedication to uncovering the African voices and histories that are often swept to the periphery or absent altogether from global narratives. This dedication stems from a number of courses I have taken through the Center for African Studies, namely African History and Swahili language courses.
Passion:Â I am deeply passionate about historical literacy, language learning, and promoting educational information and opportunities to my peers through mentorship programs. These various passions underpin my academic, professional, and personal pursuits, and they largely contribute to my connection with the Center for African Studies.
Five-Year Aspirations: My future goals include becoming fluent in both written and spoken Swahili and pursuing a PhD in African History after graduation. Ideally, my research would focus on the changes and continuities of Kenyan cultural practices and beliefs that affected their lived experiences throughout the colonial era.
Elena M. AshburnÂ
Place of Origin: Louisville, KentuckyÂ
Major: Political Science and International Studies (Europe)
Interest in African Studies: My connection to Africa starts with my family. Although my family originally hails from Sweden, my mother was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, and moved to the United States during her childhood. Growing up surrounded by these tidbits of African culture and history laid the foundation for my academic pursuits. My academic interest in Africa took root when I was a Junior Research Fellow under Dr. Sebastian Elischer. As I assisted him with his research on military coups, I delved deeply into the complex histories of his countries of interest, many of which were African nations. This past summer, I interned at the Department of State in the Bureau of African Affairs, where I focused on African foreign policy. I hope to add an African Studies minor in the future, and hopefully start Swahili or Portuguese classes, furthering my study of the continent and its many cultures. Â
Passion: I am very passionate about research, and I am so grateful for the many opportunities provided by the Center for African Studies to get involved in and educated on research concerning the African continent. My first introduction to the Center was through their weekly Barazas, and I always found their research talks so engaging. My experience through the Center and its affiliate faculty has led me to focus my honors thesis on Africa. I am passionate about sharing the many resources offered by the Center to the student body, and I am sure they will find them just as helpful as I do.
Five-Year Aspirations: Following graduation, I hope to receive a graduate degree focusing on global security and diplomacy. I also intend to join the Foreign Service, where I hopefully will get to travel and work in Africa. Â
Abigail Ryan
Place of Origin: Flourtown, Pennsylvania
Major: PhD Anthropology (specialization: Cultural Anthropology) with a certificate in Tropical Conservation and Development.
Interest in African Studies: I am interested in pastoralism in East Africa, particularly among the Maasai communities in northern Tanzania. My current research focuses on livelihood diversification, conservation, and women’s empowerment. I am also interested in traditional medicinal practices among Maasai communities and how gender, age, and social status influence knowledge and practice of traditional medicine. I have visited Tanzania and Kenya. I want to visit South Africa, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Senegal as well. I currently study Kiswahili and recently started learning Maa (the Maasai language).
My research focuses on interdisciplinary, community-based approaches to ensure the voices of people I work with are foregrounded in all my work. I continuously draw on approaches from anthropology, sociology, history, and development studies in my research
Passion: I am a former Team USA figure skater and actually had the opportunity to meet and work with skaters in Nairobi, Kenya a few years ago. I am an avid reader of Swahili literature and love finding new fiction books when I travel to East Africa. I also love trying new foods and exploring markets wherever I travel.
Five-Year Aspirations: In five years, I hope to finish my PhD and continue working in East Africa with the academic institutions and local organizations I work with in my current research. I also hope to travel more throughout the African continent and explore all the regions of North and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Adam Syar 
Place of Origin: Annandale, Virginia
Major: 1st Year Zoology
Interest in African Studies: I am Malagasy, a person from Madagascar. With this, I’ve always had a strong connection to Africa, and I wish to continue to foster that connection here at the University of Florida. My specific interest in African studies centers on the Southern and Eastern regions of the continent close to where I am originally from. I aim to learn more about the diverse histories, cultures, and natural resources of Africa. I’m very interested in the differences that lie in the stories of each region in Africa and how that past has shaped the countries and communities that exist today.
Passion: I love animals, and I have for my whole life. I find myself intrigued by all the amazing things that they can do and the spectacle that is the interconnected web of life. I also have a special place in my heart for African and Malagasy species as the great biodiversity that can be found there is something unlike anywhere else on Earth. Outside of that I love to travel and experience different cultures, foods, and ways of life, both within Africa and around the world.
Five-Year Aspirations: After graduating, it is my wish to attend graduate school and hopefully get a doctorate degree. With that and during my graduate years of studying I hope to be able to conduct my own research on wildlife, their interactions with each other, and their interactions with us humans in Africa and elsewhere across the globe.
Gabriella Udeh
Place of Origin: Orlando, Florida
Major: Biology
Interest in African Studies: Growing up as a Nigerian American, I’ve had so much exposure to not only my culture but that of other African countries. Culture is a truly enriching aspect of life. Having the opportunity to learn about the traditions of various African countries offers a meaningful way for me to broaden my understanding and appreciation of the diverse and beautiful cultures across the continent. Even Nigeria, my own country, has multiple cultures and languages, which reminds me that there is always more to discover and celebrate across Africa.
Passion: I enjoy cooking and learning how to make traditional meals from my country. I spend time singing, dancing (I’ve performed traditional dances for different events), learning more about fashion as fashion is such a great means of expression. I love writing. Poems, stories, you name it! I plan on getting into photography and crocheting. Both have had my interests for a while. Finally, I really love watching movies, different Nollywood films and historical movies to learn about significant events that occurred in Africa.
Five-Year Aspirations: In the next five years, I plan to study abroad in a West African country, participate in community projects, and seek out volunteer opportunities. I aim to improve my communication skills by engaging with students from diverse backgrounds and am also considering a minor in African Studies to deepen my understanding of the continent’s cultures.
