Edward Ezenwafor, MBBS, ISMMS '20
Biography
Dr. Edward Ezenwafor is currently working on his Masters at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai while also volunteering as a Biomedical Research Associate as this is his passion to contribute to the improvement of Biomedical Research in Africa. the division of Infectious Diseases at Rutgers NJ Medical School. He came to ISMMS to pursue further training in the Masters’ program in Clinical Research because of his passion to contribute to the improvement of Biomedical Research in Africa.
Research Focus
Dr. Ezenwafor’s research focus is in infectious diseases and the impact of social determinants of health in the diseases (both communicable and non-communicable disease) in Lower- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). He believes that global health is inter-linked and the disease burden gradient existing between LMICs and the economically advanced countries will continually drive migratory trends of disease patterns across the globe. This will also limit control and eradication of certain diseases, while the elimination of the existing disease burden gradient will definitely contribute to sustainable improvements in global health. Through his research, he was able to lead the establishment of UNICEF’s intervention programs in about ten States in a West African Country.
Most Challenging Issue in the Field
LMICs are still heavily burdened with both endemic and emerging infectious diseases, despite the enormous work that has gone into infectious diseases research over the years. There is urgent need for more research sites and cohort studies to generate more in-depth knowledge of the life cycles of pathogens, both in humans and intermediate hosts.
This is one of the biggest challenges to infectious diseases research globally, and knowing the enormous capital requirement to set up research sites and centers, he advocates for infectious disease researchers to adopt the approach of recruiting participants and collecting samples in LMICs while the labs and analysis run in economically advanced countries. This approach will mitigate the requirements for setting up robust research centers in LMICs, while at the same time promoting infectious diseases research.
Advice for Students
ISMMS as a global leader in biomedical research has built an enduring culture of excellence in research. This has become part of the core values of both the faculty and students and has led to the development of a very robust academic environment, well equipped for all branches of Biomedical Research. So, his advice to current students is summed up as: "Raise your aspirations and maximize the opportunities and resources available at ISMMS."