Dr. Lianfen Qian is a distinguished biostatistician and Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona, with extensive expertise in developing and applying statistical methodologies to biomedical, environmental, and genomic research. She earned her B.S. and M.S. in Mathematics and Statistics from Zhejiang University, China, and her Ph.D. in Statistics from Michigan State University. Dr. Qian’s research focuses on survival analysis, longitudinal data modeling, semi-competing risks, and structural change detection. Her work has been widely published in leading journals such as Biometrika, Computational Statistics & Data Analysis, and Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. A seasoned educator and mentor, she has guided numerous Ph.D. and M.S. students, with one of her mentees earning first place in the 2015 ASA/CAUSE Undergraduate Research Project Competition. She has also served in leadership roles for the American Statistical Association’s South Florida Chapter and contributed as an NSF panelist. Dr. Qian’s career includes academic appointments at Florida Atlantic University and Lynn University, along with her leadership of Mathematics and Data Science, LLC. Her numerous honors include the ASA Award for Outstanding Chapter Service, NSF travel and research awards, and recognition in Who’s Who in America. She has collaborated on research projects funded by the NSF, NCI, and DoD, and continues to contribute to advancing data-driven research and interdisciplinary science. (Document: Lianfen Qian,
Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar
Featured Publications
1. Heilmayer, O., Digialleonardo, J., Qian, L., & Roesijadi, G. (2008). Stress tolerance of a subtropical Crassostrea virginica population to the combined effects of temperature and salinity. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 79(1), 179–185. Cited by 100.
2. Wang, S., Qian, L., & Carroll, R. J. (2010). Generalized empirical likelihood methods for analyzing longitudinal data. Biometrika, 97(1), 79–93. Cited by 78.
3. Koul, H. L., Qian, L., & Surgailis, D. (2003). Asymptotics of M-estimators in two-phase linear regression models. Stochastic Processes and Their Applications, 103(1), 123–154. Cited by 72.
4. Gan, W., Bragg, F., Walters, R. G., Millwood, I. Y., Lin, K., Chen, Y., Guo, Y., … (2019). Genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes and risk of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases among 160,000 Chinese adults. Diabetes, 68(11), 2155–2164. Cited by 71.
5. Xu, Y., Chen, B., Qian, W., & Li, H. (2013). Properties of pure n-butylammonium nitrate ionic liquid and its binary mixtures with alcohols at T = 293.15 to 313.15 K. The Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics, 58, 449–459. Cited by 70.
Senior Research Fellow | Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Techno | Kenya
Dr. Amos Kipkorir Langat, Ph.D., is a highly accomplished statistician, academic, and economist with expertise in Bayesian analysis, machine learning, spatial statistics, and public health modeling. He earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics (Statistics) from the Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation, his MSc. in Applied Statistics from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), and his BSc. in Economics and Mathematics from Kabarak University. Currently, he serves as a Lecturer at JKUAT and Senior Economist at the County Government of Bomet, with previous teaching roles at Maasai Mara and Kabarak Universities. His research spans statistical modeling of infectious diseases, HIV risk factors, maternal health, survival and time series analysis, and measurement error models. He has supervised MSc. and Ph.D. students across Africa, authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications, and contributed to journals such as Scientific African, Asian Journal of Probability and Statistics, and Annals of Medicine & Surgery. Dr. Langat has secured prestigious awards including the AU Ph.D. Scholarship and SICSS research funding, and he actively contributes as a reviewer and conference organizer. His technical expertise includes proficiency in R, Python, STATA, SAS, SPSS, WinBUGS/OpenBUGS, and advanced econometric tools. A member of the Royal Statistical Society, ISCB, IBS, and the Kenya National Statistical Society, he also demonstrates a strong commitment to community service through educational leadership roles. Dr. Langat exemplifies a dedicated scholar, mentor, and researcher advancing applied statistics in public health and beyond
Profile: Google Scholar | Scopus | Orcid
Featured Publications
1. Langat, A., Orwa, G., & Koima, J. (2017). Cancer cases in Kenya; forecasting incidents using Box & Jenkins ARIMA model. Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, 2(2), 37–48. Cited by: 21
2. Benki-Nugent, S. F., Martopullo, I., Laboso, T., Tamasha, N., Wamalwa, D. C., … [and others]. (2019). High plasma soluble CD163 during infancy is a marker for neurocognitive outcomes in early-treated HIV-infected children. JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 81(1), 102–109. Cited by: 14
3. Mutinda, J. K., & Langat, A. K. (2024). Stock price prediction using combined GARCH-AI models. Scientific African, 26, e02374. Cited by: 10
4. Mutinda, J. K., & Langat, A. K. (2024). Modeling the impact of air pollution and meteorological variables on COVID-19 transmission in Western Cape, South Africa. International Journal of Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences, 2024(1), 1591016. Cited by: 5
5. Mutinda, J. K., & Langat, A. K. (2024). Capital asset pricing model: A renewed application on S&P 500 index. Asian Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting, 24(6), 226–239. Cited by: 4
Professor | University of Dhaka | Bangladesh
Dr. Sharmin Musa, Professor in the Department of Zoology at the University of Dhaka, is an accomplished academic and researcher specializing in parasitology, zoonotic diseases, and vector-borne infections. She earned her Ph.D. in Animal Biology from the University of Manchester, UK, where her doctoral work focused on parental care in burying beetles, complementing earlier research on post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) during her MSc at the University of Dhaka. Over the course of her career, she has led and collaborated on numerous research projects addressing pressing public health concerns in Bangladesh, including malaria among Rohingya refugees, intestinal parasitic infections in slum populations, soil-transmitted helminths, and foodborne parasitic risks linked to street vendors and vegetables. Her prolific publication record spans more than 40 peer-reviewed articles in national and international journals, covering both human and animal parasites. She has supervised multiple Ph.D. and MSc theses, contributing significantly to the development of young scientists in Bangladesh. In addition to research, Dr. Musa has delivered invited talks at international conferences, reflecting her recognition as an authority in parasitology and epidemiology. She is an active member of professional bodies such as the Zoological Society of Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Society for Parasitologists, where she has held executive roles. Her academic excellence has been acknowledged with awards, including the Dean’s Award and prestigious fellowships for higher study abroad. Alongside her teaching and research, she has also served in administrative roles, including warden and senate member, demonstrating her leadership within the university community and her enduring commitment to advancing science and public health
Profile: Scopus
Featured Publications
- Barua, P., Banik, K.S., Saha, S., & Musa, S. (2024). Risk factors associated with street food consumption in Dhaka city due to faeco-oral parasitic infection in food vendors. Food and Humanity
Senior Entomologist at Ministry of Health, National Malaria Elimination Division, Uganda
Moses Adriko is a distinguished Senior Entomologist with the Ministry of Health in Uganda, recognized for his expertise in medical entomology, parasitology, and public health leadership. With an academic role as a public health research fellow and reader at Nkumba University, he bridges policy, practice, and academia. Adriko plays a pivotal role in coordinating integrated vector management strategies, especially in controlling malaria vectors and other disease-causing agents. His national and international collaborations have positioned him as a key contributor to the fight against neglected tropical diseases. A respected voice in policy development, he is involved in various global expert committees, including those under the World Health Organization. His contributions extend to environmental health, disease surveillance, and community health systems. Through his leadership, Moses Adriko continues to influence strategic decisions aimed at improving health outcomes across Uganda and beyond.
Professional Profiles
Orcid | Scopus
Education
Moses Adriko holds a robust academic foundation spanning medical entomology, public health, business administration, and leadership. His doctoral research at Nkumba University investigates fascioliasis within a One Health framework, merging human, animal, and environmental health perspectives. He has completed advanced degrees in public health and business administration from Nexus International University, gaining cross-disciplinary expertise in health policy and management. His formal training includes a bachelor’s degree in science from Makerere University and a diploma in medical entomology and parasitology. Beyond degree programs, Adriko has engaged in continuous professional development through prestigious short courses and certificates offered by institutions in Switzerland, Egypt, Kenya, Sudan, and Zambia. These cover advanced epidemiology, parasitology, disease eradication strategies, research design, and ethical conduct in public health. His educational background has been instrumental in equipping him with the technical and strategic capabilities required for leading complex disease control programs both nationally and globally.
Experience
Moses Adriko has extensive professional experience in disease control, vector management, and health systems strengthening. As a Senior Entomologist with the Ministry of Health, he is tasked with planning, coordinating, and implementing integrated strategies for vector-borne disease prevention. He has served as a program officer for national bilharzia and worm control initiatives and contributed to externally funded projects like ASCEND. Adriko’s work spans both field and administrative roles, including technical training, stakeholder engagement, and policy execution. In addition to his governmental duties, he has held academic positions, lecturing in medical entomology and parasitology at the Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences. He has served on ethics review committees, ensuring compliance in research protocols related to public health. His leadership and hands-on engagement in disease surveillance, community mobilization, and health promotion initiatives have solidified his reputation as a reliable authority in tropical medicine and integrated vector control in Uganda.
Awards and Honors
Moses Adriko has received multiple recognitions for his contributions to tropical disease control and public health research. He has been awarded numerous travel fellowships to attend global workshops and conferences focused on neglected tropical diseases, water infrastructure, and disease eradication strategies. These include events hosted in South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Senegal, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, and Zambia. His participation in these prestigious forums reflects his role as both a contributor and thought leader in the field. He has also been recognized for his involvement in advancing community-based health programs and promoting integrated approaches to disease prevention. In addition to conference-based honors, Adriko has been invited to contribute to high-level policy dialogues and project planning sessions organized by international agencies. His consistent engagement with global partners underscores his dedication to translating scientific knowledge into action. These accolades affirm his influence in shaping strategies for disease elimination and health system innovation.
Research Focus
Moses Adriko’s research centers on neglected tropical diseases, with particular emphasis on vector ecology, disease transmission, and integrated control strategies. His current work explores the molecular epidemiology of fascioliasis using a One Health approach, examining the interconnected health of humans, animals, and ecosystems. He has contributed to projects funded by global bodies, including the European Union and international philanthropic organizations, to investigate persistent schistosomiasis infections, praziquantel efficacy, and diagnostic innovation in low-resource settings. Adriko’s research seeks to bridge gaps between clinical, environmental, and policy domains by designing interventions that are scalable, cost-effective, and community-centered. His multidisciplinary collaborations have produced insights into vector biology, drug resistance, and effective surveillance systems. A prolific contributor to peer-reviewed journals, he is also an active manuscript reviewer for leading journals on tropical diseases. His scientific contributions aim to inform national programs and global strategies for eliminating parasitic diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.
Publication Top Notes
Title: Associations between helminth infection status and the composition and concentration of fecal bile acids in school-age children in Uganda
Journal: Scientific Reports
Summary: This study explores how helminth infections influence bile acid profiles in fecal samples from Ugandan children, revealing potential biomarkers of infection and intestinal health.
Title: Meta-analysis and systematic review of the prevalence and risk factors of animal fascioliasis in Eastern and Southern Africa
Summary: A comprehensive meta-analysis identifying the geographic spread, prevalence, and risk determinants of animal fascioliasis to guide veterinary health policy in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Title: Safety and efficacy of praziquantel 40 mg/kg versus 80 mg/kg in preschool-aged children with intestinal schistosomiasis in Uganda: a 2×2 factorial, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 randomised trial
Journal: Lancet Global Health
Summary: This clinical trial evaluates whether higher dosing of praziquantel is both safe and more effective for preschool-aged children with schistosomiasis, using a rigorous 2×2 factorial trial design.
Title: School-aged Schistosoma mansoni infection levels after long-term programmatic control show failure to meet control programme targets and evidence of a persistent hotspot: evaluation of the FibroScHot trial baseline data
Journal: PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Summary: Baseline data from the FibroScHot trial shows persistent high infection levels of Schistosoma mansoni in some Ugandan areas, suggesting current control efforts are inadequate and hotspots remain.
Title: Development of a latex microsphere-based lateral flow immunoassay for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica
Journal: PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Summary: Researchers developed a novel lateral flow diagnostic tool using latex microspheres to enhance sensitivity and rapid detection of Schistosoma japonicum infections in endemic areas.
Conclusion
Moses Adriko’s professional journey reflects a sustained commitment to combating neglected tropical diseases through science, policy, and community engagement. With a rare blend of technical expertise, academic rigor, and leadership acumen, he has influenced public health interventions at both grassroots and strategic levels. His integrated approach to vector management, grounded in empirical research and field application, continues to drive innovations in disease surveillance and control. Through his academic work, mentorship, and participation in international health committees, Adriko contributes to building resilient health systems that prioritize equity and sustainability. His work is characterized by interdisciplinary collaboration, a deep understanding of disease ecology, and the ability to mobilize diverse stakeholders. As global health challenges evolve, he remains a vital contributor to shaping responsive and evidence-based interventions. His legacy is not only in the policies he has shaped or the programs he has led but also in the lives improved through his dedication to public health.
Adjunct Professor at University of Lomé ,Togo
Dr. Daouda Sama is an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Lomé, Togo. Specializing in environmental geochemistry, his work focuses on pollutant dispersion, health risk assessments, and sustainable coastal management. He has significantly contributed to West African environmental science by modeling industrial emissions and their ecological and human health impacts. His research incorporates advanced tools like AERMOD and Delft3D, bridging scientific understanding and practical application. Dr. Sama has led or contributed to over 40 consultancy projects, guiding environmental impact assessments for major industrial and government clients across West Africa. His academic contributions include 8 peer-reviewed articles in international journals, and he serves as a certified peer reviewer. Actively collaborating with local and international partners, he plays a pivotal role in projects addressing marine pollution, groundwater quality, and regulatory compliance. His work is shaping environmental policy and enhancing ecosystem resilience in developing regions.
Professional Profiles
Scopus | Orcid
Education
Dr. Daouda Sama has pursued an academically rich path rooted in earth and environmental sciences. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Geology, followed by a Master’s degree in Hydrology and Hydrogeology from the University of Lomé. He later completed his Ph.D. in Systemic Geochemistry and Multimodal Modeling from the same institution. His doctoral research focused on integrating pollutant dispersion modeling with geochemical assessments to evaluate the health risks of industrial emissions and water contamination. Throughout his studies, he demonstrated a strong interdisciplinary approach, merging geological sciences with public health and environmental policy. His academic journey has been guided by prominent mentors, particularly Prof. Kissao Gnandi, under whose leadership he developed innovative frameworks for environmental monitoring and adaptive quality standards. His educational background has provided a solid foundation for his dual roles in academia and consultancy, allowing him to contribute to both research and applied environmental management.
Experience
Dr. Daouda Sama brings extensive professional experience from academia, consultancy, and field-based research. As an Adjunct Professor at the University of Lomé, he has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in earth sciences and has led significant research on geochemistry and pollution assessment. Beyond academia, he has participated in numerous consultancy projects addressing environmental impact assessment, pollution monitoring, geospatial mapping, and water resource management. His clients span national and international institutions, including GIZ, the World Bank, and industrial entities like Dangote and Contour Global. He has worked on projects involving mining waste, coastal pollution, and aquifer contamination across Togo, Benin, Niger, and Congo. His technical roles have included lead analyst, hydrogeologist, and geospatial expert. He is skilled in AAS, spectrophotometry, and modeling software such as Delft3D and AERMOD. His work has directly contributed to policy frameworks, regulatory compliance, and sustainable environmental management in West Africa.
Research Focus
Dr. Sama’s research centers on environmental geochemistry and its implications for public health and ecosystem resilience. He specializes in modeling the dispersion of pollutants from industrial sources using advanced tools such as AERMOD and Delft3D, enabling receptor-specific risk evaluations near vulnerable sites like schools and clinics. His studies assess the geochemical behavior of mining waste and the bioavailability of contaminants in aquatic systems, particularly along the Gulf of Guinea. He is currently advancing adaptive frameworks for air and water quality that are contextually suited for West African environments. His projects range from modeling the hydrodynamic effects of phosphate discharge to tracking metal pollution in fish and agricultural products. Dr. Sama’s interdisciplinary work integrates geochemistry, public health, and environmental policy, offering practical solutions for pollution mitigation and sustainable development. His research directly supports national and regional efforts to monitor environmental risks, promote regulatory compliance, and protect both ecosystems and communities.
Publication Top Notes
Title: Toxic Trajectories: Modeling Heavy Metal-Laden Phosphate Dust Dispersion and Multi-Receptor Health Risks Near Kpémé’s Industrial Zone
Journal: Results in Engineering
Summary:
This study presents an environmental modeling approach to trace the dispersion of phosphate dust contaminated with heavy metals from industrial activities in Kpémé, Togo. Using advanced atmospheric and geographic modeling tools, the research evaluates how toxic particles travel and affect various environmental and human receptors. The findings reveal elevated risk zones, highlighting vulnerable populations and ecosystems exposed to chronic contamination. The work contributes to industrial pollution management and public health risk assessment by offering a spatially explicit framework for multi-receptor analysis.
Conclusion
Dr. Daouda Sama exemplifies the synergy of research, teaching, and field-based environmental consultancy. Through a decade of academic and professional contributions, he has established himself as a leader in environmental geochemistry in West Africa. His innovative methods for pollutant dispersion and health risk modeling have shaped environmental policies and regulatory practices in Togo and beyond. As an educator, he fosters critical scientific thinking and environmental responsibility among students. As a consultant, he has provided actionable insights to major stakeholders in industry, government, and international organizations. His scholarly publications and peer review activities reflect his commitment to scientific excellence. Looking ahead, Dr. Sama aims to deepen regional collaborations, expand his geochemical modeling research, and advocate for sustainable industrial practices grounded in data-driven environmental science. His work continues to bridge scientific knowledge and public policy, contributing to a healthier, more resilient future for West African communities and ecosystems.