Anas Eisa Abdelkreem Mohammed

Trainee Type:

Post-doctoral

Research Topics:

Advanced imputation methods for missing data in complex high-dimensional correlated health data using deep learning and dimensionality reduction techniques.

Associated Institution:

University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Supervisor(s):

Prof. Henry Mwambi

ORCID ID: 0009-0007-7219-6945

Anas Eisa Abdelkreem Mohammed focuses on improving methods for imputing missing data using and incorporating statistical models and deep learning approaches in complex high-dimensional correlated health data.

Awol Seid Ebrie

Trainee Type:

Post-doctoral

Research Topics:

Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Algorithms for Disease Prevention and Personalized

Associated Institution:

University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Supervisor(s):

Prof Eustasius Musenge, Prof Tobias Chirwa

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9374-7538

Awol Seid Ebrie is a post-doctoral fellow in Biostatistics at the Wits School of Public Health (SPH), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Data Science & Engineering from Pukyong National University and Pusan National University, South Korea (2021–2024); an M.Sc. in Biostatistics from Jimma University (2010–2012) and a B.Sc. in Statistics from the University of Gondar (2005–2008), Ethiopia. With extensive academic experience in Ethiopian higher education institutions, Awol has a strong background in biostatistical methodologies, machine & deep learning algorithms, and data science applications.

His post-doctoral research focuses on developing AI and machine learning algorithms for disease prevention and personalized treatment, employing cutting-edge methodologies such as deep neural network-based causal inference, explainable AI (XAI), convolutional neural networks (CNN), and other state-of-the-art techniques. Beyond research, he is dedicated to enriching the academic environment at Wits SPH by participating in the teaching-learning process, mentoring students, conducting short-term trainings, and organizing workshops and seminars on emerging advancements in biostatistical and data science methodologies.

Feysal Kemal Muhammed

Trainee Type:

Post-doctoral

Research Topics:

Meta-Analysis of High dimensional effect sizes with multiple outcomes and risk factors

Associated Institution:

University of Pretoria (UP)

Supervisor(s):

Professor Samuel Manda

ORCID ID: 0009-0008-2252-512X

Feysal Kemal Muhammed is Postdoctoral researcher at UP Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences supported by SSACAB II program.

Dr. Feysal completed his first degree in Statistics and his Master’s degree in Biostatistics. He recently completed his PhD, entitled “Longitudinal and Time Series Modeling of HIV Testing, Diagnosis, and Treatment.” His doctoral research included major projects on estimating HIV testing rates, developing dynamic predictions from longitudinal CD4 count measurements and time to death among HIV/AIDS patients using a Bayesian joint model, and estimating the magnitude of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns in the UK on HIV diagnoses, in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, England, and partners in Ethiopia. sDr. Feysal has acquired extensive teaching and research experience and is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics at Adama Science and Technology University.

Ildephonse Nizeyimana

Trainee Type:

Post-doctoral

Research Topic:

ADVANCED DATA ANALYTICS FOR TREATMENTS EFFICIENCY IN ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV IN KENYA

Associated Institution:

Moi University, Kenya

Supervisor(s):

Prof Ann Mwangi

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-1893-5344

Ildephonse Nizeyimana is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Biostatistics at Moi University. He earned his PhD in Mathematics, specializing in Statistics, in June 2024 from the Pan African University, Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology, and Innovation (PAUSTI). He has a background in Applied Mathematics from the University of Rwanda, where he served as an Assistant Lecturer in Applied Mathematics and Statistics at the College of Business and Economics since 2018. His current research focuses on Personalized Medicine, specifically examining its potential application in the treatment of elderly individuals living with HIV in Kenya.

Kevin Wamae

Trainee Type:

Post-doctoral

Research Topic:

Wastewater surveillance for tracking community health in Kenya

Associated Institution:

KEMRI-Wellcome Trust, Kilifi, Kenya

Supervisor(s):

Dr. George Githinji

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7721-5534

Dr Kevin Wamae is a postdoctoral researcher at KEMRI-Wellcome Trust, Kilifi, Kenya, specializing in genomics, epidemiology, and public health. His research focuses on tracking infectious diseases at the molecular level, from malaria parasite genomics to wastewater-based surveillance, translating scientific insights into actionable public health impact. Committed to mentoring the next generation of African scientists in bioinformatics, biostatistics, and applied public health, fostering the skills, networks, and confidence needed to lead future health initiatives.

Souand Peace Gloria TAHI

Trainee Type:

Post-doctoral

Research Topic:

Unraveling the complex interplay of environmental dynamics, socioeconomics factors and demographics determinants in tropical disease patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa: A structure equation modeling approach

Associated Institution:

University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin

Supervisor(s):

Prof. Romain Glèlè Kakaï

ORCID ID: 0000-0003-1101-2624

Souand Peace Gloria TAHI is a biostatistician, data analyst, and AI researcher. A recipient of DAAD, AI4D, and Mawazo scholarships, she conducted her PhD at the Laboratory of Biomathematics and Forest Estimation (LABEF), where she developed machine learning models to optimize maize yield prediction in Benin, integrating climate, soil, and remote sensing data.

Currently a postdoctoral researcher at LABEF, she uses structural equation modeling to explore the complex interactions between environmental, socioeconomic, and demographic factors influencing tropical disease patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa. Through her multidisciplinary research, she aims to bridge AI, agriculture, and public health for sustainable development in Africa.

Tilahun Ferede Asena

Trainee Type:

Post-doctoral

Research Topics:

Spatio-Temporal Modeling of Climate Change Effects on Malaria Transmission Dynamics in Ethiopia

Associated Institution:

Wits University, South Africa

Supervisor(s):

Prof Tobias Chirwa, Dr. Yolandi Ernst

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9282-9809

Dr Tilahun Ferede Asena is a postdoctoral research fellow at School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand (Wits University), supported by SSACAB II program. His postdoctoral research focuses on Spatio-Temporal modeling.

Dr. Asena has over 15 years of academic and research experience. He holds a PhD in Applied Statistics and has worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; a data analyst at World Vision Ethiopia; a data manager at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute; a research consultant at Hasselt University, Belgium; and an Assistant Professor at Arba Minch University, Ethiopia. His research focuses on spatio-temporal modelling, epidemiology, and public health, with particular emphasis on infectious disease modelling, disease mapping, and nutritional epidemiology. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and has contributed to the development of national public health guidelines in Ethiopia.