Francis Akpa-Inyang | Public Health | Young Scientist Award

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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.

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).

Nadia Koyratty | Epidemiology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Nadia Koyratty | Epidemiology | Best Researcher Award

Dr at International Food Policy Research Institute, United States

Dr. Nadia Koyratty is a seasoned epidemiologist and data analyst specializing in global health and nutrition research across diverse socio-economic contexts. With a PhD in Epidemiology from the University at Buffalo and an MSc in Sustainable Management of Food Quality, she brings extensive expertise in study design, statistical modeling, and handling complex datasets. Currently an Associate Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute, Nadia excels in managing large-scale projects, conducting impact evaluations, and developing evidence-based interventions. Fluent in multiple languages, she is adept at collaborating with international stakeholders to drive public health advancements.

profile:

Scopus

Orcid

Scholar

🎓 Education:

PhD in Epidemiology and Environmental Health (2016-2021): University at Buffalo, NY, MSc in Sustainable Management of Food Quality (2013-2015): Erasmus Mundus Program, BSc (Hons) in Food Science and Technology (2008-2011): University of Mauritius

💼 Professional Experience:

Associate Research Fellow: International Food Policy Research Institute, Postdoctoral Research Associate: University of Maryland, New Mexico State University, Graduate Research Assistant: University at Buffalo, Nutrition Scientist: Nestle Research Centre

🏅 Awards and Honors:

Holger Schunemann Best Student Research Award, National Science Foundation (NSF) Travel Award, Various research and travel grants

📜 Selected Publications:

“Dietary predictors of urinary biomarkers of pyrethroids in the general population- A scoping review” – J Nutr, 2024. “A Mixed-Methods Approach to the Development of a Disaster Food Security Framework” – J Acad Nutr Diet, 2023. “Food insecurity, Water insecurity: Implementation and Maintenance of Minimum Infant Dietary Diversity in Rural Zimbabwe” – BMC Nutr, 2022

Publication:📝

  • Title: Sugar-sweetened soda consumption and total and breast cancer mortality: the Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer (WEB) Study
    Authors: N Koyratty, SE McCann, AE Millen, J Nie, M Trevisan, JL Freudenheim
    Journal: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention
    Year: 2021
    Volume: 30
    Issue: 5
    Pages: 945-952
    Citations: 15

     

    Title: Food insecurity and water insecurity in rural Zimbabwe: development of multidimensional household measures
    Authors: N Koyratty, AD Jones, R Schuster, K Kordas, CS Li, MNN Mbuya
    Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
    Year: 2021
    Volume: 18
    Issue: 11
    Article Number: 6020
    Citations: 11

     

    Title: Prevalence, risk factors and short-term consequences of adverse birth outcomes in Zimbabwean pregnant women: a secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized trial
    Authors: B Chasekwa, R Ntozini, JA Church, FD Majo, N Tavengwa, B Mutasa
    Journal: International Journal of Epidemiology
    Year: 2022
    Volume: 51
    Issue: 6
    Pages: 1785-1799
    Citations: 10

     

    Title: Growth and growth trajectory among infants in early life: contributions of food insecurity and water insecurity in rural Zimbabwe
    Authors: N Koyratty, R Ntozini, MNN Mbuya, AD Jones, RC Schuster, K Kordas
    Journal: BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health
    Year: 2022
    Volume: 5
    Issue: 2
    Article Number: 332
    Citations: 4

     

    Title: A Mixed-Methods Approach to the Development of a Disaster Food Security Framework
    Authors: LA Clay, N Koyratty, S Rogus, U Colón-Ramos, A Hossan, A Josephson
    Journal: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
    Year: 2023
    Volume: 123
    Issue: 10
    Pages: S46-S58
    Citations: 2

     

    Title: Food Insecurity and COVID-19 Food-Related Perceptions, Practices, and Problems: A 3-State Descriptive Study
    Authors: N Koyratty, L Clay, S Penta, A Silver
    Journal: Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
    Year: 2023
    Volume: 17
    Article Number: e288
    Citations: 2

     

    Title: Association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and lesion ischemia in patients with atherosclerosis
    Authors: M Xu, Z Hou, N Koyratty, C Huang, L Mu, K Zhu, G Yu, MJ LaMonte
    Journal: Atherosclerosis
    Year: 2024
    Volume: 388
    Article Number: 117422
    Citations: 1

     

    Title: Implementation and maintenance of infant dietary diversity in Zimbabwe: contribution of food and water insecurity
    Authors: N Koyratty, MNN Mbuya, AD Jones, RC Schuster, K Kordas, CS Li
    Journal: BMC Nutrition
    Year: 2022
    Volume: 8
    Issue: 1
    Article Number: 136
    Citations: 1

     

    Title: Attitude and practice correlates of food security transition during COVID-19
    Authors: N Koyratty, IM Karaye, B Brenton, P Gadhoke, L Clay
    Journal: Annals of Epidemiology
    Year: 2022
    Volume: 75
    Pages: 84
    Citations: 1

     

    Title: Association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and lesion ischemia in atherosclerotic patients
    Authors: N Koyratty, Z Hou, C Huang, B Lu, M Wang
    Journal: ISEE Conference Abstracts
    Year: 2021
    Volume: 1
    Citations: 1

     

    Title: Households with special dietary needs experienced higher food access challenges and worries during COVID-19
    Authors: N Koyratty, LA Clay, S Rogus
    Journal: Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition
    Year: 2024
    Pages: 1-15