MEDICINE WITHOUT BORDERS: WHAT DRIVES A GABONESE PHD STUDENT TO KEEP SEARCHING AND NEVER STOP?

Liz Ongono has been living in Russia for three years. Before that, she studied in Saint Petersburg and Moscow, but it was in Saransk that she found her true scientific calling. Why is her mission much bigger than simply becoming a doctor, and how has life in Russia reshaped her view of her home country? Maria Khruleva spoke with the PhD student.

— Tell us an interesting fact about your country.
— Gabon’s population is incredibly diverse in terms of ethnic groups. With just 2.5 million people, there are more than 50 ethnic communities. My father belongs to the Fang people, whose culture is known for its elongated wooden masks. My mother is Nzebi, so I speak both languages. I come fr om a very large family—10 brothers and 8 sisters. For us, family is the most important thing in life.

— Why did you choose to study in Russia?
— I moved to Russia three years ago on a friend’s recommendation. Back in Gabon, I had already completed my medical degree at the country’s only public university and worked for some time as a general practitioner. I had a solid foundation, but I wanted to strengthen it, as the healthcare sector in Gabon is still less developed.

My grandmother was a traditional healer, practicing folk medicine. Becoming a doctor and a researcher, helping people—that has been my dream since childhood.

Compared to Gabon, Russia is a completely different world. I remember my first time in the metro—it was both fascinating and overwhelming. Another convenience is how accessible everything is here: shops, cafés, banks are all within walking distance. The language barrier was a challenge, as Russians rarely speak French. However, I never experienced any prejudice because of it. I came to Saransk after learning that Ogarev Mordovia State University is a national research university. Serious science has always interested me.

— Let's talk about your PhD research. What is special about hospital therapy as a field?
— Hospital therapy focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of internal organs. It’s a complex and essential field because many conditions are asymptomatic or affect several organs at once. In simple terms, these are often the diseases that can lead to disability.

My research examines the wide range of clinical manifestations of cardiovascular-renal-metabolic syndrome in patients with hypertension.

My academic supervisor, Doctor of Medical Sciences and Associate Professor Valentina Vlasova, supports me at every stage of the research. The next step is the experimental phase in a clinical setting.

— What are your plans for the near future? Wh ere do you see yourself living and working?
— My brother is an entrepreneur developing a private medical university and building a hospital in Gabon. There is a huge demand in our country for higher education in medicine, but there are very few qualified doctors. Before moving to Russia, I helped him alongside other instructors: I taught nursing, monitored students' progress, and assisted them during hospital internships. I continue to support his work even now.

Your university is about to celebrate its 95th anniversary, while ours is only nine years old. That is why developing Russian-Gabonese cooperation, adopting best practices, and building partnerships with strong universities are our key priorities.

I want to continue my research, treat patients, and open the world of science to other Gabonese students. My love for people is what inspires me to keep searching and never stop.

The article was published in the «Voice of Mordovian University» newspaper (No. 3 — March 27, 2026).