ICS Student Publishes Research in Renowned Medical Journal

At just 17 years old, ICS Addis student Azarreia has achieved an extraordinary milestone—publishing his medical research in a prestigious journal.

His article, which examines the role of income in healthcare access, was recently published in medRxiv, marking a significant achievement for him and for the entire ICS Addis community.

Azarreia’s journey into public health began early. (See more about his work here.)

“Since 8th grade, I have spent countless hours within hospital walls,” he said. “Witnessing income-driven healthcare disparities firsthand opened a void within my heart. I saw the importance of income in healthcare access.”

One experience that stood out to him was seeing an 11-year-old boy mistreated by hospital staff simply because of his family’s financial status.

“It was hard to accept that young children like that boy are mistreated and lose their lives at a young age because their families can’t afford healthcare.” This moment sparked his commitment to researching solutions for equitable healthcare in Ethiopia.

Publishing in a high-level medical journal was no easy feat.

“As a high school student, publishing in college- and doctor-level journals is an ambitious goal,” he said.

By collaborating with doctors and medical students as co-authors, he was able to build credibility and successfully share his findings. But for Azarreia, research was just the beginning.

“The mantra behind my work is ‘Educate Minds, Heal Bodies.’” After publishing his findings, he and his team took action—conducting educational workshops in communities on the outskirts of Addis Ababa and in southern Ethiopia to raise awareness about disease prevention.

Azarreia’s passion for medicine extends beyond research. He plans to major in public health before pursuing medical school, with the ultimate goal of becoming a cardiac surgeon. “I aspire to return here, run across these hospital halls, and leverage my expertise to help close healthcare disparities—all as a form of gratitude for how my people and my country have shaped my identity.”

His success has been supported by the ICS Addis community, particularly High School Principal Dr. Brightman, who played a crucial role in helping him secure approval for data collection.

“Dr. Brightman’s support throughout the entire process has been invaluable,” Azarreia says.

ICS Addis celebrates Azarreia’s achievement and the impact of his research. His dedication to public health and healthcare equity is an inspiration to the school and beyond. Congratulations, Azarreia!