Advisory Boards
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
The INFORM Africa scientific advisory board (SAB) comprises of seasoned experts with diverse specialties from varied scientific disciplines assembled for the purpose of assessing and improving the quality and integrity of the scientific output of INFORM Africa projects. Through their contributions, they bolster decision making processes, informed by the hub’s scientific rigors in line with the overarching objectives of the INFORM Africa project. Meet our SAB members below!
MEMBERS
Prof. Morenike Ukpong
Prof Morenike Ukpong is the Deputy Director, Research & Partnership Advancement Unit, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University. Nigeria. Her major areas of expertise include Dentistry, Pediatrics and HIV. She has experience in designing, implementing and reporting both qualitative and quantitative studies for research; conducting monitoring and evaluation exercises. She has been involved in several HIV programs, Ethics progams and works closely with the community.
Prof. Babatunde Salako
Prof Babatunde Salako is the Director General, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR). His major area of expertise is clinical research in nephrology. He is also interested in emerging infections. Professor Salako is a consultant nephrologist and has made significant contributions to the field of hypertension and kidney disease. He is an experienced researcher and has been involved in several research activities as PI or co-investigator including NIH funded projects on Genetics of Hypertension in Blacks, genetic Influences on severity of sickle cell anemia in the Yoruba population, and the H3Africa kidney disease research network, and the tailored hospital-based risk reduction to impede vascular events after strokes.
Dr. Rhiannan Price
Dr. Rhiannan Price is the Principal Consultant & Managing Director for Inclusive and Sustainable Development at Dev Global, USA. Her major areas of expertise include; Public-private partnerships, ICT for development, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, mobile data collection. Previously Rhiannan led the Sustainable Development Practice at Maxar and worked with public and private sector partners across the development and humanitarian spectrum. She focuses on accelerating use of space-based technology in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. Rhiannan also serves on the Applied Sciences Advisory Committee for NASA. Prior to joining Maxar, Rhiannan worked for several years at a small tech firm specializing in international agriculture and served in the Peace Corps. Rhiannan has a Masters in International Human Rights from the Korbel School at University of Denver.
Prof. Janet Kelso
Prof. Janet Kelso is the Head of the Bioinformatics Research Group and Ancient DNA Core Unit Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig. Her areas of expertise include; Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Evolution. She has carried out research in comparative primate genomics and has contributed to the Neanderthal, bonobo and orangutan genome projects. Since 2004, she has been Group leader of the Minerva Research Group for Bioinformatics at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Since 2013, she has been co-Executive Editor of the scientific journal Bioinformatics.
Dr. Jennifer Gardy
Dr. Jennifer Gardy is the Deputy Director, Surveillance, Data, and Epidemiology Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USA. Dr. Jennifer Gardy joined the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Malaria team as deputy director, Surveillance, Data, and Epidemiology in February 2019. Before that, she spent ten years at the BC Centre for Disease Control and the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health, where she held the Canada Research Chair in Public Health Genomics. Her research focused on the use of genomics as a tool to understand pathogen transmission, and incorporated techniques drawn from genomics, bioinformatics, modelling, information visualization, and the social sciences.
Dr Krish Vallabhjee
Dr Krish Vallabhjee is the Chief Director : Strategy at Western Cape Government : Health. City of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Dr. Vallabhjee expertise includes, amongst others information management and ICT systems in Health, monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning, health impact assessment (public health intelligence), research, medico-legal services, private establishment licensing and quality of care in South Africa.
COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD(CAB)
The INFORM Africa Community Advisory Board (CAB) comprises of eleven (11) members from both Nigeria and South Africa drawn from the public sector, civil society organizations, organized voluntary groups and community gatekeepers. The goal of the INFORM Africa CAB is to establish and nurture partnerships between researchers and local communities impacted by the COVID-19 and HIV pandemics, which are the primary focus of the INFORM Africa project. Through advocacy and sensitization campaigns, town hall meetings, cross-CAB dialogues and strategic community engagement programs, CAB contributes towards achieving the hub’s strategic objectives. Meet our CAB members below!
Dr. Henrietta Agboje
Henrietta Agboje is a seasoned coach, mentor, and advocate for inclusive education at the grassroots level. As a certified librarian and member of the Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) and the London Association of Etiquette Consultants (AEC), she brings a unique blend of expertise to her work. With certifications in etiquette and diplomas in child protection, child psychology, entrepreneurship, and leadership, Henrietta is a versatile and dedicated educator.
Currently, she serves as the Experience Director at Hive Africa and she is also the Team Lead at Brainy Age Initiative, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering children and women across Nigeria. Through this initiative, Henrietta and her team provide vital education and support on issues such as drug abuse, social vices, and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). They also work tirelessly to ensure that out-of-school children, hindered by financial constraints and other obstacles, receive the support they need to succeed.
With her extensive experience, certifications, and passion for education, Henrietta is a driving force for positive change in her community and beyond.”
Mr. Mzamowenkosi Zondi
Zondi is human rights and social justice activist. He is popular for advocating for justice, equality, dignity, freedom and access to dignified quality health in South Africa for working-class people and vulnerable communities. Mzamowenkosi Zondi is currently employed by the Treatment Action Campaign as KwaZulu Natal Provincial Manager. He has advance knowledge in feild research research methods and has worked for Human Sciences Research Council. He is also currently serves as a REDSSA Ethics committee member.
Mr. Nkosikhona Mpungose
Nkosikhona Mpungose, is the Executive Director of Youth Inter-Active and serves as a Chairperson for EThekwini Civil Society Forum, and a dedicated member of the INFORM Africa CAB. He considers himself as an activist for reform and best practice in the Public Health sector with over 10 years experience in Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights for Adolescents and young people. He has served in the capacity of the KZN Youth Sector for 10 years and has been involved with CAPRISA as a CAB member for 10 years as well. Currently, he is the Civil Society Youth Rep at Stats SA on SDG country report and the commissioner for National Planning Commission under youth programs. He also serves as a Deputy Chairperson for the Board of the South African Youth Climate Change Coalition.
Ms. Helen Aphan
ORGANISATIONAL AFFILIATION
Representative of community health advocacy group
Ms. Grace Dafiel
ORGANISATIONAL AFFILIATION
National Coordinator Association of OVC in Nigeria–A community spokesperson
Abdulkadir Ibrahim
ORGANISATIONAL AFFILIATION
Coordinator of Network of community health advocacy groups.
Peter Oluwasanmi Adunbi
ORGANISATIONAL AFFILIATION
National Coordinator, Young Missionary Movement of Nigeria/Deanery coordinator, Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria.– Youth Representative of Community health advocacy organization.
Mrs. Dooshima Uganden-Okonkwo
ORGANISATIONAL AFFILIATION
Prevention Program Manager |United States Army Medical Research Directorate Africa/Nigeria (USAMRD-/N)– PEPFAR Representative
Haj. Salamatu Yusuf
ORGANISATIONAL AFFILIATION
NGO supporting persons living with disabilities–Advocate for persons living with disability
Sindi Shangase
ORGANISATIONAL AFFILIATION
Community health advocacy Organization– Leader of Women group
Ndlunkulu Thobekile Maphumulo
ORGANISATIONAL AFFILIATION
Mahumulo tribal court–Community leader
