Dr Sadiki Mrisho Mandari is a psychiatrist and head of the mental health section. He earned a Doctor of Medicine degree in 2016 and a master’s degree in 2023 from the University of Dodoma, Tanzania.
Employed as a medical doctor at Mirembe National Mental Health Hospital in 2018, he later obtained a fellowship in community mental health and was certified as a mental health first aider in London in 2024.
He is currently involved in research projects, including a catatonia registry across five African countries and studies on the perspectives of traditional healers and biomedical practitioners regarding mental health care.
Olayinka Adebajo is a PhD student in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Ibadan and an early-career researcher in Ibadan, Nigeria. Olayinka’s research is in computational biology, genomics, and bioinformatics.
Olayinka works with the No. 1 Stroke Research Organization in Africa, Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network (SIREN), located at the Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine (CGPM), College of Medicine, University College Hospital, the University of Ibadan, affiliated with the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the H3Africa Consortium, as a Bioinformatics Analyst and Information Technology Manager.
Olayinka is a junior investigator with the CaNVAS Consortium.
Manirakiza Joel Samson Ruvugo, the Citizen of the Republic of Burundi.
He has a Master of Science-Master of Public Health from the Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom. He is a PhD Student at the Public Health U where he is studying Global Health and Public Health Leadership; the study is delivered online.
He is a Health Expert, Module Leader and Tutor at the Public Health U, where he teaches healthcare professionals-master students and Country Coordinator of the international People’s Health Movement Burundi.
Adebimpe-John Omolola is a dedicated neurophysiologist specializing in Alzheimer’s disease and neuroplasticity.
As a passionate lecturer and PhD candidate, I delve into the complexities of the animal brain, striving to uncover new insights into neural adaptability and memory disorders. Known for a commitment to transparency in both research and teaching, I also enjoy exploring new ideas, singing and immersing in literature.
This blend of intellectual curiosity and a drive for clear communication defines my approach to advancing neuroscience and fostering knowledge in the academic community.
Olajoke Akinyemi, B.Sc., MPH is a public health professional. She is a program manager at Brain Health Initiative Nigeria (BHIN), a non-governmental organization dedicated to addressing key gaps in knowledge of brain health among individuals and communities.
She organizes capacity-building programs to increase awareness of brain health. She facilitates collaboration with other related organizations to strengthen efforts for a wider reach.
She is actively involved in research methodology and protocol development, proposal writing, grant writing, and manuscript writing. Her long-term career goal is to become a leading researcher in research efforts that address public health challenges and promote health equity.
Ogunde Gabriel is a scholar and early career researcher with an academic background in statistics. He earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Statistics and Biostatistics respectively from the University of Ibadan. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD in Biostatistics at the same institution with a focus on Machine Learning.
In 2020, Gabriel was honoured with the FLAIR Fellowship at the Neuroscience and Ageing Research Unit of the Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. This prestigious fellowship has enabled him to lead critical data collection, management, and analysis efforts for various funded projects.
Presently, Gabriel serves as the Data Manager for the READD-ADSP project, a nine-centre study conducted across Africa. In this role, he oversees the handling and upload of data collected from the nine African countries.
Ms. Chiamaka Okwudiri, BSc, MSc (in view) is a postgraduate student in the Department of Data and Information Science, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
She is a neuropsychologist at the Chief Tony Aneinh Geriatric Center, University College Hospital, Nigeria. She provides post-diagnostic support for patients with mental disorders and participates in several research projects on mental health.
She is involved in organizing an annual program for dementia patients “I can still dance”, aimed at enhancing their social interactions and educating their caregivers. Her career goal is to become a leading researcher in data science and brain health in Africa.
Dr. Blessed Tabitha Aujo, as the head of the psychiatry department at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital in Uganda, I am deeply invested in neuropsychiatry. My work includes research on cognitive resilience in the elderly and the impact of climate change on cognition.
I am also committed to integrating mental health services into primary healthcare and empowering students and health workers with the skills to identify and treat neuropsychiatric disorders.
Currently, I am pursuing a post-graduate certificate in data science for brain health, aiming to merge advanced data analytics with psychiatric practice to enhance patient care and advance mental health research.
Okoro Innocent Chijioke, I am a careful, analytical professional with a background in statistical analysis and data interpretation in the field of public health. I work as a biostatistician. My commitment lies in applying my proficiency in statistical techniques to deduce significant findings from intricate biological datasets, consequently propelling progress in medical and scientific fields.
Aside from work, I have a strong interest in working with interdisciplinary teams to tackle urgent public health issues and keeping up to date with the most recent advancements in biostatistics.
As a biostatistician, I’m dedicated to accuracy, precision, and the search for evidence-based solutions.
Adewole Mudathir Adebusuyi, I am a recent Master of Chemical Pathology graduate from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. My research focused on identifying potential biomarkers of Autism Spectrum Disorders, investigating the link between heavy metals and the cholinergic system in the etiology of ASD. I
currently work as a graduate assistant at the Department of Biomedical Science, University of Ibadan, while further honing my research expertise through participation in the NIH-sponsored GRASP program. I am interested in pursuing a PhD in the area of neurotoxicology, building on the existing evidence of the role of environmental toxins on brain health.