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Rosalia Joseph is a medical entomologist, a malaria youth advocate, and a Forbes 30 under 30 Africa lister for 2023. She is currently serving as the Women in Vector Control Regional Coordinator for Central and Southern Africa at PAMCA, where she facilitates activities on gender inclusivity and equity, the enhancement of collaborations and partnerships, and the capacity-building of women to combat vector-borne diseases and ascend to leadership roles.  

Rosalia holds a master’s degree in medical entomology and a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from the University of Namibia, and she is currently enrolled in UNICAF University's MBA program in public health management. She is committed to contributing to the elimination of malaria in Africa and ensuring that women and young people are equally empowered to combat malaria and other vector-borne diseases in Africa. 

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). YALI was created in 2010 and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2020. Established in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship has brought nearly 5,800 young leaders between the ages of 25 and 35, from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training.  

Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Rosalia would gain valuable opportunities to develop and enhance her leadership skills by providing insights into effective communication, decision-making, leadership in governance, problem-solving, and strategic thinking, which are all crucial skills for her current role as an agent of change, inclusivity, and malaria elimination. She would also be provided with valuable connections to expand and improve the efficiency of her network.