AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY - Specialized Research AI at MIT

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

About The Author

Abdullahi Kawu is interested in research in Human-Computer Interaction,
Digital Health and ICT4D, hence most of his works are in those domains. He
is passionate about people and technology, in particular exploring their
engagements with technology. He is currently a Lecturer at Ibrahim Badamasi
Babangida University, Lapai, Nigeria and a PhD research fellow with TU
Dublin under the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research
Training in Digitally-Enhanced Reality (d-real) program. Earlier on, he
obtained an MSc in Advanced Computer Science (Distinction) with interest
in Human-Computer Interaction from Newcastle University, UK. He has also
worked as a Consultant Staff to international development organisations like
Malaria Consortium, World Bank and UNDP where he had the rare opportunity
to learn and apply technical, leadership, project management, and Monitoring
and Evaluation (M&E) skills in health projects.
Email address: abdullahikawu@ibbu.edu.ng
ORCID: 0000-0003-2531-9539

Akinyinka Tosin Akindele is an instructional Designer and eTutor at
LAUTECH Open and Distance Learning (LODLC), Nigeria. He also works as
eLearning Consultant for Kampala International University, Uganda. He has
over 8 years’ experience and is skilled in various eLearning technologies such
as administration of LMS, curriculum and course authoring, creation and
editing of multimedia (videos, animations and graphics) etc. He has trained
diverse stakeholders on Blended Learning and actively participating in several
eLearning projects locally and internationally including Partnership for
(PEBL) West Africa sponsored by Association of
Blended Learning
Commonwealth Universities; Carbon Literacy for Youth Employability and Job
Creation by British Council; Digital Innovation Skill Hub (DISH) by Dutch
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Orange Knowledge Program etc. Mr Akindele
holds an MSc degree in Computer Science from LAUTECH, Nigeria and he
is presently pursuing his Ph.D. He has authored several articles on Distance
Education and application of Artificial Intelligence to Health, Education and
other related areas.
Email address: akinyinka.akindele@kiu.ac.ug
ORCID: 0000-0002-7027-466X

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About The Author

Ali Mtiraoui, a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine of Sousse (MD), the
University of Montreal (MSc, community health) and the Pierre and Marie
Curie University of Paris (statistics applied in epidemiology), is Director of
the Laboratory of research “Quality of care and management of health
services”, Former President of the University of Sousse, Honorary Dean and
former Director of the Department of Family and Community Medicine of
the Faculty of Medicine of Sousse. The quality of services and the management
of services (education and health) are at the center of his professional
concerns. He has worked at all levels of Tunisia’s health care system and has
carried out several consultation and expertise mandates in several fields, both
nationally and internationally (development of intervention plans at the
regard to health problems, design of curriculum & training programs,
management of health services & mobilization of human resources, strategic
planning, accreditation and certification, etc.).
Email address: ali.mtiraoui@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0002-6990-955X

Aliya Aktau received her MSc degree in Computer Science from Leiden
University, The Netherlands, in 2020. She is now a PhD candidate at Leiden
University Medical Center (LUMC) and teaching Data Collection, Wrangling,
Analysis and Visualization at Suleyman University, Kazakhstan. Her research
interests include FAIR Data Science and FAIR Data Management. She works
as a data curator for medical health research.
Email address: aleka.aktau@gmail.com; a.aktau@lumc.nl
ORCID: 0000-0003-4942-2725

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About The Author

Anthony Wachira graduated from the University of Nairobi with a BSc.
Honors in Mathematics and Computer Science in 1988 and an MBA in
Management Information Systems and Strategic Management for the same
University in 2001. His MBA project was titled Ergonomic Factors Considered
in Information Systems Implemented in Kenya: A Case of Firms in Nairobi.
He is currently enrolled for PhD in Healthcare Management at the Institute
of Healthcare Management of the Strathmore Business School — Strathmore
University. He has been deeply involved in research on the provision of ICT
solutions across many sectors and at various levels, the last two being ICT
Services Director, Strathmore University and GM-ICT, Kenya Airports Authority.
He chaired the inter-agency committee on border security in 2007, where
one of the principal outcomes was the proposed single identification source
for civil registration and vital statistics for all persons within the territory of
Kenya using biometric data capture with the objective of creating Big Data.
Email address: anto.wash@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0002-0344-4403

António Cartaxo (1987, Lisbon) visited in 2019 a research project on HIV
prevention and care in Coastal Kenya, after which he became interested in
access to healthcare. Since January 2020 he has been a PhD aspirant at
Leiden University within the Globalisation Accessibility Innovation and Care
network. His research focuses on participation in digital health innovation
and health orientations in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya.
Email address: am.cartaxo@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0002-1276-1179

Data Intelligence

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About The Author

Araya Abrha Medhanyie holds a PhD and is associate professor of public
health at the School of Public Health at Mekelle University, Ethiopia. He has
seventeen years of work experience in teaching, research, and community
service. His research interests and professional career focus mainly in Global
Health and Development. He is interested and has been building his research
career in multidisciplinary and implementation research that integrates health
systems, maternal and newborn health, health systems leadership and
transformation.
governance, health policy, digital Health and social
Methodologically, he is interested and keen in specializing his capacity in
implementation research, diffusion of innovations and scale–up of proven
health interventions. He is passionate about serving humanity through
research, education and leadership. He enjoys reading and writing about
social change, leadership and development. He is Country Coordinator of
VODAN-Africa.
Email address: araya.medhanyie@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0002-9328-684X

Awotunde Joseph Bamidele received his B.Tech. degree in Mathematics/
Computer Science from Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria, in
2007. M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science from the University of
Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, in 2014 and 2019 respectively. Since 2019, he has been
a Lecturer with the Department of Computer Science, University, of Ilorin,
Ilorin, Nigeria. He is the author of more than 40 articles, 30 chapter in book,
and more than 25 Conference Proceedings in reputable outlets like Elsevier,
Springer Taylor and Francis among others. His research interests include
Information Security, Cybersecurity, Bioinformatics Artificial Intelligence,
Internet of Medical Things, Wireless Body Sensor Networks, Wireless
Networks, Telemedicine, Medical Imaging, Software Engineering, and
Biometrics. He is a member of International Association of Engineers and
Computer Scientist (MIAENG), Computer Professional Registration Council of
Nigeria (MCPN), Nigeria Computer Society (MNCS), and Internet Society.
Email address: awotunde.jb@unilorin.edu.ng
ORCID: 0000-0002-1020-4432

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About The Author

Balyejusa Gusite is a staff member in the directorate of research, innovation,
consultancy and extension of Kampala international university serving as a
data communications officer. He is also a data steward (Expert) in virus
outbreak data network (VODAN-A). Gusite is currently pursuing a masters of
science in information systems (Msc.IS) at Kampala International University,
He holds a first class Bsc. Information technology from KIU. As an information
technology personnel, Gusite is a freelancer developer, with bias in automation
systems, data science, deep learning, Machine learning, computer vision and
security systems.
Email address: gusite.balyejusa@kiu.ac.ug
ORCID: 0000-0003-4515-6052

Bert Meerman is the Director of the GO FAIR FOUNDATION (GFF), based
in Leiden, the Netherlands. Involved in different EOSC Projects (EOSC
Secretariat and EOSC Nordic). GFF focus is on the promotion, protection and
the correct implementation of the FAIR Principles, next to the transfer of
knowledge on the application of FAIR.
Email address: b.meerman@gofairfoundation.org
ORCID: 0000-0002-0071-2660

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Dwy Bagus earned his Master degree in Electrical Engineering and Informatics
from Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Indonesia, in 2018. He is now a
lecturer and software architect in Politeknik Statistika STIS, Indonesia. His
research interests include software engineerings such as cloud computing,
blockchain, and artificial intelligence.
Email address: N/A – reached through Putu
ORCID: 0000-0002-1100-5742

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About The Author

Erik Flikkenschild was educated in the early days of computer science as
an electronic engineer (innovative curriculum by TU Delft, Antony Fokker
school and MTS The Hague (1974). He is now an information manager and
IT architect (LUMC) and Deputy Director (Go-FAIR foundation). His computer
science interest is the design of the Internet of FAIR Data Services with a focus
on data protection, starting with policy (risk assessment) translating in the IT
design of access control measures.
Email address: e.flikkenschild@lumc.nl
Alternative email: erikf@gofair.foundation
ORCID: 0000-0002-7285-1651

Ezekiel Ogundepo In the fields of mathematics and statistics, Ezekiel is a
knowledgeable and creative professional. He holds a master’s degree from
the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Rwanda, where he
received a scholarship from MasterCard, and a first-class degree in statistics
from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. He has experience with the Rwanda
Revenue Authority (RRA) and is a leading expert in advanced statistical
modelling. He worked on the RRA team that developed the interactive
taxpayer data portal and automated key statistical reports needed by internal
and external users. Ezekiel is currently employed by 54gene (a biotechnology
company) as a Data Specialist and has made contributions to the ralger web
scraping R package and the Big Book of R. He is a certified instructor for
Rstudio Tidyverse, a data steward at Virus Outbreak Data Network (VODAN)
Africa and Asia, and an active member of the Africa R programming
community.
Email address: ezekiel@datasciencenigeria.ai; ogundepoezekiel@gmail.com

(prefered email)
ORCID: 0000-0003-3974-2733

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About The Author

Ezra Mwesigwa Highly enthusiastic about Health Informatics and ICT for
development (ICT4D). Ezra has proficiency in Information Systems Analysis,
Design and Development with over 6 years’ experience delivering electronic
knowledge management solutions currently working as a DevOps Engineer
at Makerere University Kampala (MAK) and Kampala International University
(KIU). With a Msc. and Bsc in Information Systems, Ezra has been part of
local and international project establishments in and outside Uganda serving
within various technical capacities. Currently part of a wider multinational
VODAN-Africa team developing and piloting a FAIR data architecture in 88
facilities across 7 countries in Africa, DevOps Consultant towards responsible
anti-microbial use in refugee settlements within Uganda; a project funded by
Pfizer, ICT consultant working through Makerere University Climate Change
and Research Initiative-MUCCRI to develop a national climate change
Knowledge Management System funded by Food and Agriculture Organization
among many other notable involvements.
Email address: mezra@cit.ac.ug
ORCID: 0000-0003-2125-1012

Esther Thea Inau is a PhD student studying in the Medical Informatics
Department at the Universitätsmedizin (University of Medicine) Greifswald,
Germany. Her PhD studies are based on implementing and evaluating the
FAIRness of data obtained from health cohort studies in Germany.
Email address: inaue@uni-greifswald.de
ORCID: 0000-0002-8950-2239

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Data Intelligence

1039

About The Author

Francisca Oladipo, is a Professor of Computer Science and pioneer Director,
Quality Assurance, Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Nigeria. She is a
Consultant at the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences of Tilburg
University, Netherlands, and had served previously at Kampala International
University (KIU), Uganda as the Director of Research, Innovations, and
International relations. She has recently been appointed the Vice-Chancellor
and Chief Executive Officer of Thomas Adewumi University, Nigeria.
Email address: francisca.oladipo@kiu.ac.ug
ORCID: 0000-0003-0584-9145

Francis Kinyua Gathua facilitates development and implementation of
appropriate youth and women livelihoods strategies; self and wage
employment for self sustenance and resilience in Nairobi slums. With over
10 years in non-profit sector, Francis has solid, documented experience in
project cycle management, behavioural/cognitive skills development, high
maturity and knowledge of working with young people, team building,
strategic planning, mentorship, collaboration, monitoring and evaluation.
Francis is a certified life skills facilitator/trainer and manages Kamukunji
Community Empowerment Initiative’s (KCEI) vulnerable youth and women
enablement project. Francis Holds a B.A and MA in Sociology from University
of Nairobi.
Email address: kgathua@gmail.com
ORCID:

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Fredrick Obwanda is a healthcare management expert from Kenya, who
worked at the Ministry of Health leading institutional, and policy agenda at
the National Blood Transfusion Services, in addition to being a Sub-County
Hospital Manager and Linked to Tangaza University at present.
Email address: fobwanda@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0002-8275-0926
Articles contributed to: Article 10

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About The Author

Gertjan van Stam has been involved with ICT in Africa since 1987. He holds
a PhD in Culture Studies from Tilburg University, an MTech in ICT from
Nelson Mandela University, and an engineering degree in telecommunications.
His activities focus on mechanisms at the intersection of society and
technology.
Email address: gertjan@vanstam.net
ORCID: 0000-0003-4618-6106

Interoperable, and Reusable

Getu Tadele Taye is a lecturer in the department of Health Informatics at
the college of health sciences Mekelle University (MU), Ethiopia. He has
worked as a software engineer for almost 3 years prior to joining MU. He is
an active member of digital health research and development center at MU.
Currently, he is also working as country technical lead in the project Virus
Outbreak Data Network Africa and Asia (VODANA). VODANA is a Global
Open Findable, Accessible,
(GO FAIR)
Implementation Network set up to help fight the COVID-19. He has vast
research experience in Medical and IT Convergence technology and
participated in national and international conferences and published journal
papers on prestigious peer-review journals. He is interested in the concepts
and technologies in data science, data FAIRification, eHealth Architecture
(eHA) and making HISs interoperable. He holds a master’s degree in Medical
IT Convergence Engineering from Kumoh National Institute of Technology,
South Korea.
Email address: getu.tadele@gmail.com; getu.tadle@mu.edu.et
ORCID: 0000-0002-9965-1801

Data Intelligence

1041

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About The Author

Hauwa Limanko Ibrahim is a research assistant with the New and Emerging
Technology Research Group (NETReg), IBB University Lapai, Nigeria. She is
interested in the design and evaluation of novel interactive technologies in
low resource communities.
Email address: ibrahimhauwa977@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000000240566442

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Ibrahim Abdulahi is Head of the Department of Computer Science, Ibrahim
Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai. He is Director ICT and Chairman
New and Emerging Technologies Research group (NETREG). Ibrahim holds a
PhD in Computing, a Senior Member of the IEEE. His research interest
include: Future Internet (Information-Centric Networking), Operating Systems,
Algorithms, AI, Bigdata, and Digital-Health. A Lecturer of Computing and the
Director of Information and Communication Technology at IBB University,
Lapai. Nigeria. He is a facilitator, editor and content writer of several Learning
Management System (LMS) solutions.
Email address: ibrojay01@gmail.com; ibrojay01@ibbu.edu.ng
ORCID: 0000-0002-3467-1203

1042

Data Intelligence

About The Author

Jamilu Yahaya Maipan-uku (Mr.) received his B.Sc. in Computer Science
from Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai (IBBUL, 2010), Niger
State, Nigeria. Also, holds M.Sc. in Computer Networks from Universiti Putra
Malaysia (UPM, 2016), Malaysia and Ph.D. (in view) in Computer Information
Systems at Near East University, Cyprus with about 15 technical and
international conference papers across SCOPUS, DBLP databases. His
research interest includes; Grid Computing, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security,
Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning. He is a member
of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and Internet Society of Nigeria (ISOC).
Email address: jymaipanuku@ibbu.edu.ng
ORCID: 0000-0001-8071-7295

Mr. Joseph Elijah (M.Eng.) is a lecturer in the Department of Computer
Science, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Nigeria. He is a
member of the council for the registration of Engineers in Nigeria, a member
of the association for computing machinery, and the international association
of Engineers (IAENG). His current research interests include intelligent
systems, cognitive radio, microstrip antenna, and digital health.
Email address: ibrojay01@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0002-9922-9029

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Dr Katy Wolstencroft is an Assistant Professor in Bioinformatics at Leiden
University. She has a Bachelor in Biochemistry (University of Leeds) and a
Master and PhD in Bioinformatics (University of Manchester. Her research
focuses on data and knowledge integration in the life sciences. She is an
author of the FAIR guiding principles and is instrumental in the development
of several FAIR data initiatives in systems biology, bioimaging and biomedicine,
in addition to her activities in VODAN.
Email address: k.j.wolstencroft@liacs.leidenuniv.nl
ORCID: 0000-0002-1279-5133

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Data Intelligence

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About The Author

Klara Smits works at Tilburg University as a PhD candidate on the topic of
human trafficking of Eritrean refugees in the digital era. Smits is interested in
forced movement, and particularly the aspects of digitalisation, in the nexus
of environmental, political and social problems. She has a MSc. in Forest and
Nature Conservation with a specialisation in Sustainable Development
Diplomacy.
Email address: klarasmits@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0003-1713-7057

Kudakwashe Chindoza received his MCom Information Systems degree in
2015 (GZU), a BSc in Information Systems in 2006 (MSU) and a Post-Graduate
Diploma in Higher and Tertiary Education in 2019 (GZU), Zimbabwe. He is
a technical expert of VODAN-Africa in Zimbabwe. He is a PhD student with
Tilburg University.
Email address: chindozak@gmail.com; kchindoza@gzu.ac.zw (Official email)
ORCID: 0000-0002-8346-5211

Kibrom Fekadu Berhe is a Lecturer and researcher of Public policy and
Development at Mekelle University, Ethiopia. He obtained MA degree in
Public Policy and Sustainable Development from University of Gondar,
Ethiopia in 2013 and Masters of Environmental Management from Massey
University, New Zealand in 2015. He has over 10 years of experience in
teaching research and community services in higher education institutions.
He is currently working in consultancy, mediation, advocacy and research in
Belgium.
Email address: kiblid@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0003-1728-5076

1044

Data Intelligence

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About The Author

Marek Suchánek is PhD student at Czech Technical University in Prague
and University of Antwerp (double-degree programme). His research topic is
about connecting conceptual modelling and software implementations
beyond model-driven development. He obtained both master’s and bachelor’s
degrees at CTU in Prague in Information Systems and Management. He
actively participates on various projects such as Data Stewardship Wizard or
FAIR Data Point.
Email address: marek.suchanek@ds-wizard.org
ORCID: 0000-0001-7525-9218

Mariam Basajja is currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science at Leiden
University in the Netherlands. She obtained a master’s degree in Advanced
Computing, machine Learning and Data mining from the University of Bristol,
UK and also has a master of Science in Computational Intelligence from
University of Nairobi, Kenya. She also holds a bachelors in Applied Computer
Technology with a concentration in Software Engineering from United States
International University Africa. Her main areas of interest are around FAIR
data, big data, databases, data analytics, cloud computing, ICT Infrastructure
and others.
Email address: mariam.basajja@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0001-7710-8843

Mariem Ghardallou received her Medical doctor degree from the Faculty
of Medicine of Sousse, Tunisia, in 2011. She is now an Associate Professor
in Community and Preventive Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of Sousse,
University of Sousse, Tunisia. She is currently the vice-dean of research and
valorization of expertise at the Faculty of Medicine of Sousse and the country
coordinator for Tunisia of VODAN Africa.
Email address: ghardallou.m@gmail.com
Alternative Adress: Mariem.Ghardallou@famso.u-sousse.tn
ORCID: 0000-0001-9289-722X

Data Intelligence

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About The Author

Dr. Mia Stokmans is an associate professor at Tilburg University, Tilburg
School of Humanities and Digital Sciences. Between 2008 and 2010 she was
involved in the EUCIM-TE Comenius project co-funded by the European
Commission, DG Education and Culture within the Lifelong Learning
Programme to improve the pre- and in-service training of all teachers for their
work with immigrant pupils by elaborating a competence-based European
Core. Between 2011 and 2012 she participated in the ARKA-project about
the valorisation of human capital of migrants in the European Union. She has
participated in the NWO project Cost Benefit Analysis of Social Protection
on Social Economic Resilience, the NWO project Mixed Migration Ethiopia,
and the ZonMW project about care processes for dementia. Her main fields
of interest are the role of attitudes and emotions in human decision making,
social processes for behavioral change and mixed method approaches in
doing research.
Email address: M.J.W.Stokmans@tilburguniversity.edu
ORCID: 0000-0002-7593-9632

Mirjam van Reisen is Professor International Relations, Innovation and Care
at Tilburg University and Professor of FAIR Data Science at the Leiden
University Medical Centre (LUMC) at Leiden University. Van Reisen is
Research Leader of the Globalization, Accessibility, Innovation and Care
(GAIC) network. Her teaching experience includes, among others, the
University of Pavia, Tilburg University, Amsterdam University College, Leiden
University and the College of Europe. Van Reisen is the Director of the
organisation Research Advisors & Experts Europe (RAEE) in Brussels. Van
Reisen is the Coordinator of the Virus Outbreak Data Network (VODAN)
Africa implementation network. Van Reisen was a member of the Dutch
Advisory Council on International Affairs (AIV) and Chair of the Development
Assistance Committee (COS) from 2013 to 2020. Van Reisen received the
Golden Image Award in 2012 by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Email address: mirjamvanreisen@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0003-0627-8014

1046

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About The Author

Misha Stocker is a consultant with Research Assistants and Experts Europe
in Brussels. He studied European governance with a double major from the
University of Konstanz, Germany, and the University of Utrecht, The
Netherlands. He received his bachelor degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences
with a major in political science from the University College Roosevelt from
Utrecht University. He carried out his internship in the Go FAIR foundation
and his thesis investigated the EU policy making on FAIR Data.
Email address: mishastocker@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0003-0347-9953

Morgane Wirtz is a PhD student at Tilburg University, a freelance journalist
and a researcher for EEPA. She focuses on human right abuses, security in
Sahel, migration and human trafficking on the Central Mediterranean Road.
Based in Tunisia, she works for Le Point Afrique, Inkyfada and Hans Lucas.
She is also a documentary filmmaker.
Email address: morgane.wz@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0002-2514-5797

Mouhamed Mpezamihigo born in Uganda, is Vice Chancellor of Kampala
International University and leader of the programme of the Digital Innovation
and Skills Hub (DISH), and Chair of the Virus Outbreak Data Network –
Africa, VODAN-Africa. He is board member of the African Institute for
Capacity Development (AICAD), and Executive Committee member of the
Interuniversity Council for East Africa (IUCEA) among many other obligations
he holds.
Email address: vc@kiu.ac.ug
ORCID: 0000-0002-9700-3034

Munyaradzi Mawere is a double professor, being a Full Professor of African
Studies at Great Zimbabwe University (GZU), Zimbabwe and a Professor
Extraordinarius of Interdisciplinary Research at the University of South Africa
(UNISA), South Africa. Mawere has 310 publications to his credit, including
91 books, and over 200 book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles
published with internationally acclaimed publishers.
Email address: munyaradzimawerem@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0002-3684-6089

Data Intelligence

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About The Author

Nambobi Mutwalibi is a Vodan Expert of the Virus Outbreak Data Network
(VODAN) Africa implementation network. He is also a research assistant at
Motion Analysis Research Lab, Islamic University in Uganda. He was a
research assistant in the Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) department
at Islamic University of Technology, Bangladesh (IUT, 2018). He holds a BSc.
Technical Education (Islamic University of Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh)
specializing in computer science and engineering. His research interest on
Disruptive Innovations, FAIR Data, JTBD, Wargaming Strategy, Game theory,
Coopetition, Blue Ocean Strategy, Blended learning, Green Skills, TVET and
ICTs in developing countries. He can be reached via his website: www.
nambobi.com, email: hello@nambobi.com and contact +256701044034
Email address: nambobi.mutwalibi@kiu.ac.ug
ORCID: 0000-0001-6822-616X

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Obinna Osigwe is a Digital Media Professional at Kampala International
University, Uganda and the Communications Lead at Virus Outbreak Data
Network Africa (VODAN-Africa). His experience and competence spans
across Computer Networking, Digital Marketing, Data Analysis, Online
Reputation Management, Performance Measurement and has Consulted for
several organizations in Nigeria and Uganda. Obinna has a Bachelor of
Science in Computer Science from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Nigeria, and
is currently a Master’s Student in Project Management.
Email address: obinna.osigwe@kiu.ac.ug
ORCID: 0000-0001-7825-3591

Oladiran Tayo Arulogun is an astute manager of peopleware, hardware and
software. He is a Professor of Computer System Engineering from Ladoke
Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Nigeria. He currently oversees
the University’s Vision of opening and expanding access to qualitative
education as the Director of LAUTECH Open and Distance Learning Centre.
His main objective is to simplify processes, drive innovation, harness impactful
opportunities, infuse novel research outcomes into society, and inspire and
prepare the stakeholders for the future.
Email address: otarulogun@kiu.ac.ug; otarulogun@lautech.edu.ng
ORCID: 0000-0003-0254-4944

1048

Data Intelligence

About The Author

Oluwole Olumuyiwa Afolabi has more than a decade of experience
working in an international organisation and has over time built his proficiency
in PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, Ajax and several other programming languages.
He has proficient skills with CSS, Self-Developed Content Management
System (CMS), Microsoft Office Packages, CorelDraw, and a very good
understanding of design and the use of the Adobe Creative Suite. He has
obtained professional certifications including; PHP OOP: Object-Oriented
Programming for Beginners – Certificate of Completion from UDEMY – 2018,
Online Cambridge Certified Web Publisher from Cambridge Intercontinental
University- 2010, and a Diploma in Advanced Web Development from
ECAND Nig. Ltd- 2009. He is currently working with Kampala international
University as a Web Administrator.
Email address: oluwole.afolabi@kiu.ac.ug
ORCID: 0000-0002-4007-6363

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Putu Hadi received his M.Sc degree in ICT in Business and the Public Sector
from Leiden University, the Netherlands, in 2021. He is a PhD student with
the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). He is now an ICT expert in
Central Bureau of Statistics, Indonesia. His research interests include data
governance and principles such as FAIR and open data. He is a technical
team lead in VODAN-Africa on implementation in health facilities.
Email address: putu.hadi.purnama.jati@umail.leidenuniv.nl
ORCID: 0000-0002-6533-3709

Reginald Nalugala is a postgraduate tutor at Tangaza University, specializing
in social transformation. He trains research students in the PhD and Masters
programme to draw on the SDGs to foster social transformation. At VODAN
Africa and Asia, he is the country lead for Kenya where he coordinates the
VODAN activities in Kenya. SDG 3 highlights the importance of health and
wellbeing. This situation has been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reginald and the team are studying different methodologies on how to
improve livelihoods of households affected by COVID-19 pandemic.
Email address: reg.nanales@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0002-3737-9777

Data Intelligence

1049

About The Author

Ruduan Plug is an associated researcher with the Leiden University Medical
Center and a scientist in machine learning and artificial intelligence at
monitoring & control services of TNO. Previously he has been named a
Google Scholar for his work on OpenAI’s scalable meta-learning algorithm
and he has worked with CEDAR at the Stanford Center for Biomedical
Informatics Research. In addition, he has acted as a technical coordinator for
VODAN, is active within the interdisciplinary GAIC research group of Tilburg
University and is an ambassador for FAIR data and the European Open
Science Cloud (EOSC) at the GO FAIR foundation. His research primarily
focuses on the application and adaptation of machine learning, artificial
intelligence and the architecture of interoperable, federated and distributed
computational ecosystems for data-driven applications.
Email address: ruudplug@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0001-5146-6116

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Samson Yohannes Amare is a lecture in the department of Software
Engineering, Mekelle University (MU). He is an active member of digital
health research and development center at MU doing research, teaching and
software development. Samson has been involved in most of the digital health
activities done in MU. He has also been working on a couple of software
development projects and implementation researches. He is actively working
on the project Virus Outbreak Data Network Africa and Asia (VODANA),
which is a Global Open Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable
(GO FAIR) Implementation Network set up to help fight COVID-19. He has
also experience on software architecture and enterprise architecture
development working closely with OpenHIE and the ministry of health. He
has contributed during digital health blueprint development by the ministry
of health. His research interests include digital health and data science. He
holds a master’s degree in Informatics Engineering from University of Algarve,
Portugal.
Email address: samsonya@gmail.com; samson.yohannes@mu.edu.et (Official

email)

ORCID: 0000-0002-5425-1126

1050

Data Intelligence

About The Author

Sara Nodehi received her MSc degree in ICT in Business and the Public
Sector from Leiden University, the Netherlands, in 2021. Immediately after
graduation, she started her work as a Ph.D. candidate at the Open University,
the Netherlands. Her research interests include IT governance, Business/IT
alignment, Information security management, and digital transformation.
Email address: sara.nodehi95@gmail.com

s.nodehi@umail.

(preferred);

leidenuniv.nl (work address)

ORCID: 0000-0002-2919-1336

Sakinat Folorunso is a computer science lecturer and researcher at Olabisi
Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria. She had a B. Tech in
Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo
State, Nigeria. She also had an M. Sc and PhD in Computer science for the
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. She has authored many
journals and conference articles in Data mining, Machine Learning and Data
Science.
Email address: sakinat.folorunso@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng
ORCID: 0000-0002-7058-8618

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Tesfit Gebremeskel Gebreslassie is a lecturer of Health Informatics at the
school of public health, Mekelle University (MU). He has eight years of
experience in electronic Health Management Information Systems as a
program implementer and consultant to the Ministry of Health in the area of
eHealth and health informatics initiatives. He has been engaged in the
development and implementation of different health-related electronic health
system. He has been working in the areas of eHealth Architecture and
interoperability in collaboration with OpenHIE. He spends most of his time
in reading and practising health information and innovation related trending
ideas and developments. Tesfit is head of the digital health research and
development center at Mekelle University. He holds a master’s degree in
Biostatistics and Health Informatics.
Email address: tesfitgebremeskel@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0001-9389-5584

Data Intelligence

1051

About The Author

Tigist Abtamu is an Information Science expert with a multi-disciplinary
orientation and qualifications. She worked in the field of information science
for more than 10 years in the Ethiopian Public Health Institute. Currently she
is working as e-health coordinator at Addis Ababa University, School of
Public Health, Capacity Building and Mentorship Program to support the
Ministry of health initiative in the area of Health Information System
development in the country by strengthening the Health information system
aiming to build local capacity to transform health data quality and information
use for evidence-based decision making.
Email address: tigist.habtamu@aau.edu.et; tigist12@yahoo.com
ORCID: 0000-0001-6082-1060

William Muhadi Nandwa holds a BSc. Microbiology and Biotechnology
and an MSc. Epidemiology. He has worked at Pumwani Maternity Hospital
in Kenya as a data steward under USAID Afya Jijini. Currently, he is the lead
data steward and Country Coordinator for the VODAN-Kenya team. He also
brings together the forum of all Country Coordinators of VODAN-Africa. He
has undertaken further training in data management technology under the
Phillips Foundation. His research experiences has been fundamental in the
development of this paper.
Email address: wmnandwa77@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0002-2994-4916

Wondimu Ayele is Assistant Professor Biostatistics and Health Informatics
at School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University. Assistant Professor and
Director Health Information Capacity Building and Mentorship Project
(Preventive medicine ). He is a coordinator in the Virus Outbreak data
Network – Africa. He studied at the Institute of Medicine, Epidemiology,
Health Informatics and Biometer, Martin Luther University, Halle (Saale),
Germany. Data manager for Ebola Response (Diseases Surveillance).
Email address: wondimu.ayele@aau.edu.et; wondaay@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0001-5899-347X

1052

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About The Author

Whitney Atieno Otieno is an Highway Engineering student at Kenya Institute
of Highways and Building Technology. She is a community worker at Majengo,
Pumwani, in Nairobi, Kenya and a leader in the Kamukunji Community
Empowerment Initiative (KCEI). She developed an interest with community
work for she grew up in slums. She is a women’s rights activist. In 2018, she
joined Kenya Women in Justice Centres group. She is a community leader
and associated with the Tangaza University College initiative with the
community organization KACPEN on social transformation.
Email address: atienowhitney6@gmail.com

Yan Liang has received a double BA from University of Minnesota Morris in
Economics and Statistics and a MSc in Computer Science from Leiden
University. Her interests are in cloud computing and big data management
and she has contributed to the core architecture of VODAN. Yan is currently
active as a data engineer at KPMG in Digital Assurance & Innovation and is
a chair at the KPMG Dani Young Board.
Email address: y.liang.2@umail.leidenuniv.nl; liangyan12138@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0002-3860-725X

Yi Lin received his M.Sc degree in ICT in Business and Public Sectior from
Leiden University, Netherlands, in 2021. He is now a research assistant at
Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS), Leiden University.
His research interests focus on data analysis for business insight.
Email address: y.lin@liacs.leidenuniv.nl
ORCID: 0000-0002-9833-3457

Data Intelligence

1053

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About The Author

Zohra Touati received her Professional Master’s Degree in Information and
Communication Technology in 2008. She is now a Professor in Computer
Science at the Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Tunisia.
Email address: zohra.touati@live.fr
ORCID: 0000-0002-8329-706X

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