Raeesa Manjoo-Docrat | Infectious Diseases | Young Researcher Award

Dr. Raeesa Manjoo-Docrat | Infectious Diseases | Young Researcher Award 

Lecturer | Univeristy of the Witwatersrand | South Africa

Dr. Raeesa Manjoo-Docrat is a developing scholar affiliated with the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, whose work contributes to the advancement of quantitative epidemiology and public health modelling in South Africa. Her research focuses on the development and application of spatial, age-stratified epidemiological models aimed at understanding disease transmission dynamics within heterogeneous populations. With four peer-reviewed publications and 27 citations, she has established a growing academic footprint supported by an h-index of 2, reflecting the early but significant influence of her work. Her recent open-access article in Heliyon (2025), which applies spatial modelling frameworks to the South African COVID-19 pandemic, exemplifies her commitment to integrating mathematical rigor with real-world public health challenges. Manjoo-Docrat has collaborated with multidisciplinary teams comprising epidemiologists, mathematicians, and public health scientists, enabling her to contribute to robust analytical frameworks and high-quality scientific outputs. These collaborations also highlight her ability to operate effectively within diverse research environments and to engage in evidence-based problem solving that supports both academic and policy-relevant outcomes. Her research sits at the intersection of infectious disease dynamics, health systems planning, and data-driven decision support, positioning her work within a globally relevant domain of applied epidemiology. Beyond academic metrics, her contributions have societal impact by informing approaches to epidemic preparedne  ss, guiding interventions for vulnerable demographic groups, and enhancing understanding of spatial disparities in health outcomes. Through her continued scholarship, Manjoo-Docrat aims to strengthen the integration of mathematical modelling into national and regional public health strategies, ensuring that data-informed insights contribute to improved health resilience and equitable disease control.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Manjoo-Docrat, R., Abdelatif, N., Holloway, J., Dudeni-Tlhone, N., Dresselhaus, C., Mbayise, E., … Makhanya, S. (2025). Spatial age-stratified epidemiological model with applications to South African COVID-19 pandemic. Heliyon, 11(11), e43171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e43171

2. Dresselhaus, C., Fabris-Rotelli, I., Manjoo-Docrat, R., Brettenny, W., Holloway, J., Thiede, R., Debba, P., & Dudeni-Tlhone, N. (2023). A spatial model with vaccinations for COVID-19 in South Africa. Spatial Statistics, 58, Article 100792. Cited by 2.

3. Manjoo-Docrat, R. (2022). A spatio-stochastic model for the spread of infectious diseases. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 533, 110943.  Cited by 16.

4. Fabris-Rotelli, I., Holloway, J., Kimmie, Z., Archibald, S., Debba, P., Manjoo-Docrat, R., … Potgieter, A. (2022). A Spatial SEIR Model for COVID-19 in South Africa. Journal of Data Science, Statistics, and Visualisation, 2(7), 14–45.  Cited by 5.

Ashenafi Gebremarian | Public Health | Editorial Board Member

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ashenafi Gebremarian | Public Health | Editorial Board Member

Huazhong Agricultural University | China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ashenafi Gebremariam is an emerging scholar and academic professional at Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China, recognized for his early yet growing contributions to agricultural and veterinary sciences. His Scopus-indexed research portfolio includes two peer-reviewed publications supported by two citations, reflecting the initial stages of academic impact and the steady visibility of his work in global scholarly circles. With an h-index of 1, he demonstrates a developing research trajectory that is expanding through specialized studies in animal health, agricultural biotechnology, and related life-science disciplines. Dr. Gebremariam’s collaboration with at least eight co-authors signals his active engagement in multidisciplinary research environments and underscores his commitment to knowledge exchange, methodological rigor, and international scientific cooperation. His academic affiliation with a leading agricultural institution places him at the forefront of research aimed at enhancing food security, livestock productivity, and sustainable agricultural systems. Although his publication record is still in its formative phase, his contributions reflect a clear dedication to generating evidence-based insights that address societal needs, support innovation, and strengthen global agricultural resilience. As his research continues to evolve, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gebremariam is positioned to expand his scholarly influence through high-quality publications, impactful collaborations, and continued advancement in the fields of veterinary and agricultural sciences.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1.Shi, Y., Peng, G., Gebremariam, A. A., Iqbal, M. M., Baghaei Daemi, H., Khan, M. A., Ullah, R., & Wang, D. (2024). Analytical insights, modulation and compositional dynamics of the feline gut microbiota: a review. Animal Diseases, Article 00140. Cited by: 2.

2. Fentie, T., Teshome, Y., Ayele, B., Molla, W., Fenta, N., Nigatu, S., Assefa, A., & Leta, S. (2018). Sero-epidemiological study of peste des petits ruminants in small ruminants in Amhara region, Ethiopia. Comparative Clinical Pathology, 27(4), 1029–1036. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-018-2697-2 — Cited by: 15.

3. Fentie, T., Fenta, N., Leta, S., Molla, W., Ayele, B., Teshome, Y., Nigatu, S., & Assefa, A. (2017). Sero-prevalence, risk factors and distribution of sheep and goat pox in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. BMC Veterinary Research, 13, Article 385. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017-1312-0 — Citation count not reliably available from publicly accessible sources at this time

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ashenafi Gebremariam advances veterinary and agricultural science through research that strengthens animal health, productivity, and sustainable livestock systems. His work contributes to improved disease understanding and supports innovations that enhance food security and the resilience of global animal agriculture.