Turnwait Michael | Regulatory Affairs | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Turnwait Michael | Regulatory Affairs | Best Researcher Award

University of Johannesburg | South Africa

Dr. Turnwait Michael is a distinguished social scientist and public health researcher whose work bridges sociology, demography, and epidemiology to address some of the most pressing health challenges across Africa. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology with a specialization in Medical Demography from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, an MPH in Epidemiology and Medical Statistics from the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, an MSc in Sociology/Demography, and a BSc in Sociology from Niger Delta University. His robust academic foundation is further strengthened by specialized certifications and global training in family planning, public health nutrition, implementation research, antimicrobial resistance, and project management from international institutions in the USA, Canada, Malaysia, and Nigeria.Dr. Michael currently serves as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, where he conducts advanced research on social determinants of health, reproductive and adolescent health, gender norms, and health systems strengthening. His postdoctoral work extends to collaborative projects supported by competitive international grants such as the EU Intra-Africa Mobility Grant and the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP) Grant. In this role, he also mentors postgraduate students, contributes to academic publications, and engages in interdisciplinary fundraising efforts for health research and policy innovation.Before joining the University of Johannesburg, Dr. Michael served as Lecturer II in Medical Sociology and Demography at Hallmark University, Nigeria, where he taught and supervised undergraduate and postgraduate research on applied demography, health sociology, social statistics, and research methods. He has also contributed to national policy through his role as a Technical Analyst with the Presidential Health Sector Committee in Nigeria, where he worked on health policy memoranda, pharmaceutical regulations, and universal health coverage frameworks. His consultancy experience with the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) spans reproductive rights, gender-based violence, climate change, child marriage, migration, and digital education initiatives.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Michael, T. O., & Odeyemi, M. A. (2017). Nigeria’s population policies: Issues, challenges and prospects. Ibadan Journal of the Social Sciences.

Michael, T. O., Ojo, T. F., Ijabadeniyi, O. A., Ibikunle, M. A., Oni, J. O., & Agboola, A. A. (2024). Prevalence and factors associated with contraceptive use among sexually active adolescent girls in 25 sub-Saharan African countries. PLOS ONE..

Michael, T. O., Agbana, R. D., Ojo, T. F., Kukoyi, O. B., Ekpenyong, A. S., & Ukwandu, D. (2021). COVID-19 pandemic and unmet need for family planning in Nigeria. Pan African Medical Journal.

Agbana, R. D., Michael, T. O., & Ojo, T. F. (2023). Family planning method discontinuation among Nigerian women: Evidence from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences.

Michael, T. O., Nwokocha, E. E., & Agbana, R. D. (2023). Issues in antenwatal care services utilization among unmarried adolescents in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Journal of Population and Social Studies.

Michael, T. O., & Scent, G. A. T. (2017). Correlates of contraceptive use and the desire for fewer children in Nigeria. The Nigerian Journal of Sociology and Anthropology.

Ekpenyong, A. S., & Turnwait, M. O. (2016). Social media and sexual reproductive health behaviour among adolescents in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. American International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

Kamini Raghuram | Drug Safety and Risk Management | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Kamini Raghuram | Drug Safety and Risk Management | Best Researcher Award

Staff Neonatologist and Developmental Pediatrician at University of Toronto | Canada

Dr. Kamini Raghuram is a clinician-scientist specializing in developmental and behavioral pediatrics, neonatal-perinatal medicine, and clinical epidemiology. With a strong foundation in pediatrics, she has combined clinical expertise with cutting-edge research to advance outcomes in high-risk and preterm infants. Her work bridges clinical practice, epidemiology, and innovative technological tools such as automated video-based analysis for motor impairment. Dr. Raghuram has been a principal and co-investigator on numerous funded projects and has published extensively in leading pediatric and neonatal journals. She is widely recognized for her dedication to improving long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in vulnerable infant populations.

Publication Profile 

Orcid

Education 

Dr. Kamini Raghuram completed her Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the University of Toronto, followed by FRCPC training in General Pediatrics, Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine, and Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at the same institution. She earned a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology and Health Care Research from the Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, where her thesis focused on video-based motor impairment analysis in preterm infants. Earlier, she obtained a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical and Biological Engineering from the University of British Columbia, graduating as class valedictorian and recognized for outstanding research proficiency.

Experience 

Dr. Kamini Raghuram has held extensive clinical and academic positions across pediatrics, neonatology, and developmental medicine. She has served as a clinician-investigator, integrating patient care with translational research to develop evidence-based approaches for preterm infants. Her work includes leading clinical trials, advancing quality improvement initiatives, and applying machine learning and automated video analysis for early detection of motor and neurodevelopmental impairments. With expertise spanning neonatal intensive care, developmental follow-up, and health outcomes research, she has collaborated nationally and internationally to improve clinical pathways for high-risk infants. Her experience reflects a unique combination of bedside practice and pioneering research in pediatrics.

Awards and Honors 

Dr. Kamini Raghuram has received numerous awards and funding recognitions for her research and clinical excellence. These include CIHR grants exceeding $2 million, innovation fund competitions, and recognition for her work on neonatal outcomes. She has won presentation and research awards at the University of Toronto, The Hospital for Sick Children, and international conferences. Honors such as the Excellence in Academic Coaching Award, Quality Improvement Award, Canada Graduate Scholarship, and early-career fellowships highlight her leadership and academic impact. Earlier, as an engineering student, she received the Lefevre Gold Medal and delivered the valedictorian address at the University of British Columbia.

Research Focus 

Dr. Kamini Raghuram research focuses on improving neurodevelopmental and health outcomes in preterm and high-risk infants through early detection, intervention, and long-term follow-up strategies. She applies advanced tools, including automated video analysis, MRI biomarkers, and large-scale database studies, to identify predictors of motor and cognitive impairment. Her work integrates clinical epidemiology with neonatal and developmental pediatrics, emphasizing translational approaches from bench to bedside. She is also involved in clinical trials addressing interventions such as coadministration therapies and surgical decision-making in fetal medicine. Her ultimate goal is to enhance early diagnosis, optimize interventions, and improve quality of life for vulnerable children.

Publication Top Notes

Caregiver Experiences, Healthcare Provider Perspectives and Child Outcomes with Virtual Care in a Neonatal Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up Clinic: A Mixed-Methods Study

Automated Movement Analysis to Predict Cerebral Palsy in Very Preterm Infants: An Ambispective Cohort Study

Conclusion

Dr. Kamini Raghuram is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her career reflects a rare combination of clinical excellence, research innovation, and dedication to improving outcomes for preterm infants. With substantial grant funding, groundbreaking studies in automated movement analysis, and leadership in advancing neonatal care, she exemplifies the qualities of a leading researcher. While opportunities exist to expand her global influence and further scale her innovations, her proven track record of impactful, patient-centered research makes her an outstanding nominee for this prestigious recognition.