Dr. Francis Akpa-Inyang | Public Health | Young Scientist Award

Research Associate | Durban University of Technology | South Africa

Dr. Francis Akpa-Inyang is a multidisciplinary public health scholar whose research integrates bioethics, indigenous knowledge systems, research integrity, and applied health sciences. His work advances understanding of informed consent within African traditional medicine, exploring how cultural values, communal decision-making, and indigenous ethical frameworks shape patient autonomy and healthcare interactions. He has developed a pluralistic model for healthcare decision-making that offers a culturally grounded alternative to Western biomedical ethics, contributing significantly to debates on ethics in global health. His scholarship further extends to orthopaedic research, 3D-printing innovation, public health behaviour, infectious disease knowledge, and higher-education teaching and learning. He has published widely in peer-reviewed journals, addressing themes such as ethical regulation, cross-cultural consent processes, infection control, ergonomics in remote work, pedagogy, and health-seeking behaviours. In addition to his academic contributions, he plays an active role in strengthening research integrity systems in Africa, drafting institutional policies, investigating ethical breaches, and providing training in responsible research conduct. He collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, contributes to international conferences, and supports emerging scholars through supervision and mentorship across public health, clinical sciences, and social science research. His work on ethical, legal, social, and cultural issues in emerging technologies, including synthetic biology and artificial intelligence, reinforces his commitment to ethical governance in rapidly evolving scientific landscapes. With expertise spanning bioethics, public health research, academic development, and research integrity leadership, he is recognized for advancing culturally responsive ethical practices and promoting high standards of scientific conduct within African and global research environments.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publication

Akpa-Inyang, F. (2025). The San Code of Ethics versus international ethical guidelines: A cross-cultural analysis. African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies, 7(1).

Mr. Armaan Jamal | Global Health Initiatives | Best Scholar Award

PhD Student, University of Chicago, United States

Armaan Jamal is a dedicated public health professional specializing in epidemiology, clinical research, and health disparities. With a passion for uncovering the patterns of diseases and health trends, he has demonstrated leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. Armaan has experience in conducting rigorous research, designing studies, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. His work is driven by a commitment to employing data-driven insights to improve health outcomes.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Armaan Jamal is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Health Sciences (Epidemiology) at the University of Chicago (Expected: 2028). He completed his B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology (Honors) at Johns Hopkins University in 2022.

Experience

Armaan’s professional journey includes roles as a Research Technologist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he managed clinical studies investigating Long COVID and HIV. He was also the Chief Fellow at Stanford University School of Medicine’s CARE Scholars program, where he designed and led a fellowship curriculum. Additionally, as a Senior Program Administrator for CARE Scholars, Armaan guided research projects and mentored graduate students and postdocs.

Awards and Honors

Armaan Jamal’s accomplishments include receiving peer recognition for his research and leadership. He has made significant contributions to public health through his research on health disparities, and his publications have had an impact on the field of epidemiology and public health.

Research Focus

Armaan’s research primarily focuses on epidemiology, health disparities, and HIV. He investigates the intersections of disease patterns, biomarkers, and racial/ethnic health trends, particularly among marginalized communities. His work explores the effects of Long COVID on people living with HIV and barriers to disaggregated racial data in federal health datasets.

Conclusion

Armaan Jamal is a driven researcher and public health advocate, utilizing data analysis to address health disparities and improve outcomes for underserved populations. His work, especially in epidemiology and health disparities, continues to influence public health policy and clinical practice.

Publications

Factors Associated with HIV Testing within the National Health Interview Survey (2006–2018). J Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. Published online August 1, 2023. DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01728-w

Why Are We Going Backward? Barriers to Disaggregated Racial Information in Federal Data Sets. Am J Public Health. Published online June 15, 2023: e1-e4. DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2023.307339

Racial and Ethnic Trends in Recommended Vaccinations Among US Adults, National Health Interview Survey 2006–2021. Journal of Asian Health. DOI: 10.59448/jah.v4i1.53

Characterizing Symptoms and Identifying Biomarkers of Long COVID in People With and Without HIV: Protocol for a Remotely Conducted Prospective Observational Cohort Study. JMIR Research Protocols. 2023;12(1): e47079. DOI: 10.2196/47079

Toward Precision Sleep Medicine: Variations in Sleep Outcomes Among Disaggregated Asian Americans in the National Health Interview Survey (2006-2018). Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. Published online March 8, 2023. DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.10558

Disparities and Trends in Routine Adult Vaccination Rates Among Disaggregated Asian American Subgroups, NHIS 2006-2018. AJPM Focus. Published online October 29, 2022: 100044. DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2022.100044

Dataset of Quantitative Structured Office Measurements of Movements in the Extremities. Data Brief. 2020, 31, 105876. DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105876

COVID-19 pandemic impact on opioid overdose deaths among racial groups within the United States: an observational cross-sectional study. British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2023;0(0). DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2023.10.0

Armaan Jamal | Global Health Initiatives | Best Scholar Award