Man Charurat, MHS, Ph.D: Principal Investigator
Dr. Charurat has nearly 20 years of experience in public health epidemiology program implementation in Nigeria, including overseeing large statistical analysis and data coordination activities, Fogarty training programs, HIV treatment and prevention service research, HIV surveillance of acute HIV infection, and epidemiological studies of high-risk populations in Nigeria. Currently, he is PI on three NIH RO1 grants with cohorts in Nigeria: MARGIN (R01DE025174) a study characterizing microbiome among HIV-Exposed but Uninfected infants in Nigeria; Building TRUST (R01AI120913) a study engaging marginalized MSM in Nigeria into HIV care and treatment and integrating phylodynamic modeling to pattern incidence and prevalence over time; and ADAPT (1R01HD089866) a randomized clinical trial targeting gaps in care during the transition of adolescents to adult HIV care. Additionally, Dr. Charurat leads two CDC-funded PEPFAR Strategic Information projects: SHIELD (1NU2GGH001976) and NAHSS ((3U2GGH000656), and he is PI of the Fogarty Epi Nigeria (D43TW010051) grant for HIV research training in Nigeria. Dr. Charurat’s focused research and health systems strengthening work in Nigeria has helped lay the foundation for epidemic control.
Kristen Stafford, BA, MPH, Ph.D ; EpidemiologistKristen Stafford received her BA in psychology from Notre Dame of Maryland University, her MPH in Health Policy and Management from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and her PhD in Epidemiology from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Stafford has extensive experience working with multi-country HIV treatment programs. Prior to completing her doctoral studies, she served as the Director of Outcomes and Evaluation from 2004 to 2010 at the Institute of Human Virology – University of Maryland School of Medicine for an eight country, 240 clinics, 700,000 patient HIV care and treatment program funded through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Her work focuses on the epidemiological evaluation of both patient and program level outcomes of HIV treatment. Dr. Stafford is particularly interested in implementing advanced epidemiological methods in clinical research and program evaluation, with a focus on translating routine surveillance and programmatic data into evidence-based service delivery. Her current research interests include HIV and aging and HIV-associated non-AIDS conditions.
Stephen Ohakanu, B.Eng: Technical Advisor, Health Informatics
Stephen Ohakanu studied Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria in 2006. He proceeded to work as an intern in the Software Development Unit of Quanteq Technology Service: an Information Technology Consulting firm, and later employed as a Software Developer. He rose through the ranks over four years to become Lead Developer of the Unit on. In 2010, he assumed the role of Manager of a new Application Development Unit in Interra Networks primarily responsible for the setup and coordination the unit. Passionate about developing solutions and Information technology, the move to the University of Maryland Baltimore’s (UMB) Program in Nigeria was a natural fit where he is currently the Technical Advisor for Software Development and Health Informatics (SD/HI). Stephen is a Solution Developer with 12 years’ experience in Software Engineering (Analysis, Design, and Development) and has managed over 50 software development and information technology implementation projects. He is well versed in architecting and implementing systems using software development best practices and methodologies and is a big fan of artificial learning and cognitive systems.
Baffa Sule Ibrahim, MBBS, MPH : Epidemiologist
Baffa received his medical degree (MBBS) from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in 2004. In 2010, he joined the residency training program where he trained as a pathologist (Medical Microbiologist) at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. He later proceeded to the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (NFELTP) in 2015, and was trained as a Field Epidemiologist with masters in public health (Mph ABU Zaria) from 2015 to March 2017. As a trainee field epidemiologist, Dr. Baffa was involved in several field activities which include, outbreak investigations, surveillance evaluations, and secondary data analysis, and has published more than 15 manuscripts in various peer-reviewed journals. He has also presented papers at both local and international conferences. His current research interests cut across infectious diseases and public health, and he is particularly interested in HIV, Malaria and vaccine preventable diseases. He is a member of the West African College of Physicians (MWACP), American Society of Microbiologist (ASM) and European Society of Clinical Microbiologist and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID).
Onyekachi Anukam, BA, MPH: Public Health Specialist
Kachi joins the SHIELD team with an ardent interest in Health Promotion, and Quality Improvement in Healthcare in Nigeria. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from George Mason University, Virginia and a Master’s degree in Health Policy and Management from Columbia University, New York. Born and raised in Nigeria, Kachi is a firm supporter of participatory public health and in community development programs that benefit the marginalized and underprivileged of society. In her free time, Kachi enjoys singing, traveling, swimming & listening to gospel music. She is fully committed to the SHIELD project and works full-time as a Public Health Specialist in the program.
Samuel Adams, B.Sc, MPH: Public Health Specialist
As a public health specialist on the SHIELD project, Samuel provides technical guidance on data quality assessment for all CDC-Nigeria Implementing partners. He oversees the development of the Data Quality Strategy, he provides guidance on the development and modification of guidelines, standards and user guides for Data Quality Assessment processes. Routine Data Quality Assessments by CDC-Nigeria partners are also carried out with his support and he oversees the design and development of Data Quality Assessment tools.
Henriatta Selle Tiri, B.Sc, MBA: Public Health Specialist
Henriatta’s background spans the fields of public health and health systems. Prior to joining the University of Maryland, Nigerian Program as a Public health specialist, Henriatta was with the Institute of Human Virology on the AidsRelief project as a Research Coordinator and was later moved to the position of Continuous quality improvement specialist. A graduate of the University of Jos, Nigeria with a degree in Microbiology and an Executive Masters in business management from the Indian Management School and Research Center. Her interests lie in Health research.
Ehoche, Akipu B.Sc: Bio-Statiscian
Akipu received her first degree from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria and later proceeded to join the University of Maryland, Nigerian program saddled with the responsibility to support selected hospitals in southeastern Nigeria and provide the best quality data. Passionate about the use of data, she was drafted into the SHIELD team where she is part of the evaluation team analyzing data. In her free time, she loves to travel and catch up on all that’s happening in the world.
Utin, E. Archibong, BA: Coordination and Communications Officer
Bringing over 10 (ten) years in business development, Organization Development, and brand communications to MGIC Nigeria, Archibong is a staunch believer in the saying “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” As the Coordinator and Communications Officer, his line of duty involves providing invaluable IT and Communications support. A Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre Arts from the University of Abuja, FCT, Nigeria, plus practical hands-on experience and exposure in the field of Information Technology and his inconsumable crave for challenges in this field puts him in good stead to occupy this office. Archibong is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. A Graphics Designer, an organizational development specialist, a Digital Marketer, a Communications pro and a User Experience Designer, he is also a Social Media Evangelist who strongly advocates the use of social media to build great businesses. He also possesses great strengths in the following key skills: Interpersonal, verbal and written communications, problem-solving, organizational skills, multi-media software and design software. He enjoys adding special value by masterminding new forays into the improvement of communications.
