Dr. Jinat Alam, Clinical Trials,Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jinat Alam, at icddr,b,Bangladesh

PROFILE

scopus

Orcid

Google Scholar 

🎓Early Academic Pursuits :

Dr. Jinat Alam embarked on her academic journey with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. She completed her MBBS from Ibn Sina Medical College and Hospital in June 2014 with an overall GPA of 3.00 (WES Evaluation). Her passion for public health led her to pursue a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from North South University, Bangladesh, where she excelled with an impressive GPA of 3.83 out of 4.00, completing the program in March 2024. Her major courses included Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Research Methodology, and Health System and Management, which laid a strong foundation for her future endeavors in the field of public health.

🏥Professional Endeavors :

Dr. Alam’s professional journey is marked by significant roles and contributions in various capacities at icddr,b, an international health research institution based in Bangladesh. She began her career as a Clinical Fellow at icddr,b, from March 2017 to August 2019, where she maintained regular hospital patient care and participated in clinical duties in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine under the Nutrition and Clinical Services Division. Her responsibilities included addressing Gastrointestinal Diseases, Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Maternal and Child Nutrition, and Critical Care.

From September 2019 to November 2023, she served as a Project Research Physician, leading randomized controlled clinical trials and presenting her findings at various scientific forums. Currently, she holds the position of Study Physician at icddr,b, where she continues to contribute to research protocol writing, protocol development, and community trials.

📚Contributions and Research Focus :

Dr. Alam’s research focus spans a wide range of public health issues, particularly in the areas of malnutrition, environmental enteric dysfunction, and complementary food development. She has been involved in several pivotal research projects, including:

• Efficacy Trial of Microbiota Directed Food on Children with Moderate Acute Malnutrition (Co-Investigator, PR-24031, NCT06305442)
• Assessment of Body Composition in Bangladeshi Children and Validation of Skinfold Thickness-Based Body Composition Prediction Equations (Principal Investigator, PR-24007)
• Role of L-Carnitine Supplementation on Rate of Weight Gain and Biomarkers of Environmental Enteric Dysfunction in Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (Principal Investigator, PR-21046, NCT05083637)
• Development of Shelf-Stable, Locally-Sourced, Microbiota-Directed Complementary Foods for Children with Undernutrition (Study Physician, PR-21019)
• A Bayesian approach to predict the role of dietary diversity, water, sanitation and hygiene practice, enteric infections and impaired gut health on multiple micronutrient deficiencies in children at 24 months of age (Project Research Physician, PR-20051)
• Zinc sulfate acceptability study in children with acute diarrhea (Project Research Physician, PR-19033, NCT04039828)

🏆Accolades and Recognition :

Dr. Alam’s dedication and excellence in research have been recognized through various awards. She received the ‘Young Scientist Award’ under the ‘Rainy Day grant fund’ of icddr,b, a competitive research grant of $25,000 for a duration of one year. Additionally, her outstanding performance in oral presentations earned her the ‘Best Presenter Award’ at the Executive Director’s Scientific Seminar in 2023.

🌍Impact and Influence :

Dr. Alam’s work has had a profound impact on the field of public health in Bangladesh and beyond. Her research on malnutrition and environmental enteric dysfunction has contributed to a better understanding of these critical issues and has paved the way for developing effective interventions. Her involvement in clinical trials and research projects has influenced public health policies and practices, benefiting countless children and communities.

🌟Legacy and Future Contributions :

Dr. Alam’s legacy is defined by her relentless pursuit of excellence in public health research and her commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable populations. Her work at icddr,b and her contributions to various research projects have set a high standard for future public health professionals. As she continues her journey, Dr. Alam aims to further her research on malnutrition, develop innovative solutions for public health challenges, and mentor the next generation of public health researchers.

📝Conclusion :

Dr. Jinat Alam’s journey is a testament to her dedication, expertise, and impact in the field of public health and medicine. Her early academic pursuits, professional endeavors, research contributions, accolades, and future aspirations highlight her as a distinguished figure in her field. Her legacy will continue to inspire and influence public health initiatives, making a lasting difference in the lives of many.

Dr. Duduzile Ndwandwe, Clinical Trials,Best Researcher Award

Dr. Duduzile Ndwandwe, at Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council,South Africa

PROFILE

scopus

 

🎓Early Academic Pursuits :

Duduzile Ndwandwe was born in Waterval Boven, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Her academic journey began at Sikhulile Secondary School, where she completed her Matric Senior Certificate in 2001. She then pursued higher education at the University of Limpopo, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 2006 with majors in Physiology and Microbiology. Following this, she completed her Bachelor of Science Honours in Microbiology in 2007. Her passion for scientific research and dedication to advancing her knowledge led her to the University of the Witwatersrand, where she obtained a Master of Science in Microbial Genetics in 2008. She continued her studies at the same institution, earning a PhD in Molecular Mycobacteriology in 2013. Duduzile further expanded her expertise with an International Masters in Vaccinology from the University of Lausanne in 2021 and an Advanced Vaccinology Course from the University of Geneva in 2022. In 2023, she completed a Management Development Programme at Stellenbosch University.

🏢Professional Endeavors :

Duduzile Ndwandwe’s professional career is marked by significant contributions to the fields of vaccinology and public health. She began her career as a Laboratory Assistant at the University of Limpopo in 2006 and then served as a Teaching Assistant at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2007. Her postdoctoral journey took her to the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Pharmacology from 2015 to 2016.

In 2013, Duduzile joined the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) as a Senior Scientist in the HIV Prevention Research Unit, a role she held until 2015. She then transitioned to the Wits Reproductive Health & HIV Institute as a Senior Researcher, where she led clinical trials such as HPTN 082 and EMPOWER from 2016 to 2017. Since 2021, Duduzile has been a Specialist Scientist at Cochrane South Africa, leading projects on Vaccine Implementation Research and Clinical Trial Registration. She also served as the Deputy Director of Cochrane South Africa from 2021 to 2024 and has been the Board Chair of Eh! Woza since 2019.

🔬Contributions and Research Focus :

Duduzile Ndwandwe’s research primarily focuses on vaccinology, clinical trials, and public health. She has been instrumental in leading and facilitating numerous projects that aim to improve vaccination implementation and clinical trial methodologies in Africa. Her work includes significant contributions to the South African National Clinical Trial Register and the Pan African Clinical Trial Register (PACTR). She has also been involved in projects funded by prominent organizations such as the National Research Foundation, EDCTP, and Oxford University, addressing critical health issues and enhancing research capacities in the region.

🏆Accolades and Recognition :

Duduzile’s outstanding contributions to science and public health have been recognized through various awards and scholarships. Notable among these are the International Masters in Vaccinology program scholarship from SAMRC (2018-2021) and the postdoctoral research scholarship from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2015. She was also a recipient of the prestigious Columbia University – Southern African Fogarty AIDS Training and Research Programme fellowship in 2010 and the Mellon Postgraduate Mentoring Scheme scholarship from the University of the Witwatersrand (2009-2011).

🌍Impact and Influence :

Throughout her career, Duduzile Ndwandwe has significantly impacted the scientific community and public health sector. Her research has led to improved methodologies in clinical trials and vaccination programs, enhancing transparency and accountability in clinical trial registrations across Africa. Her leadership roles in various research initiatives and institutions have fostered collaborations and capacity-building, driving progress in public health and vaccinology.

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions :

Duduzile Ndwandwe’s legacy is defined by her unwavering commitment to advancing scientific research and public health. Her work has laid the foundation for future research and interventions in vaccinology and clinical trials. She continues to influence upcoming scientists and public health professionals through her mentorship and leadership roles. As she progresses in her career, Duduzile remains dedicated to addressing global health challenges and contributing to the betterment of public health systems worldwide.