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2024 Annual Competition Honorees

Yusuf Babatunde

Master’s Candidate, University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Current Research: Assessing the delivery of HIV PrEP for Nigerian Youths Through a Co-developed Digital Platform : A mixed-methods study

Biography: I got my Bachelor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, with a particular interest in global public health. Outside my institution, I have also completed courses on implementation science and research with a focus on Infectious Diseases of Poverty from the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) and at the African Regional Training Centre, University of Ghana School of Public Health. In addition, I have completed courses from the University of Washington on the Clinical Management of HIV and Leadership in Global Health.

I have many awards and honors to my name, including the most recent Diana Awards 2023 for my leadership in combating antimicrobial resistance in Africa through youth leadership and community engagement. I have received travel scholarships to present my research abstracts at summits and conferences, including the International AIDS Society Conference in Brisbane, Australia and the Global Health Network Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. Lastly, I have also completed an internship program at the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN), where I gained first-hand experience in data analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning. ‘

How will your work assist those in underserved geographic regions?

My research is highly relevant to the involvement of diverse and underserved geographic regions in Nigeria. By adopting a youth-driven, mixed-methods approach and co-developing a digital platform, I am actively engaging with adolescents from different regions, including those in remote or marginalized areas that may have limited access to essential health information and services. The platform’s privacy and safety aspects ensure inclusivity and encourage participation from youths who might be hesitant to seek information through traditional means. This study would involve a large and heterogeneous sample of over 5,000 young people from diverse geographic and economic regions, designed to ensure that youth voices are driving innovations in HIV/AIDS.

Saira Kanwal

Ph.D. Candidate, National University of Science & Technology, Pakistan

Current Research: Performance Enhancement of Microbial Fuel Cell by Using Ceramics Composite Membrane Separator for Power Production

Biography: Saira Kanwal is a dedicated researcher with a notable portfolio of national and international
publications, showcasing her expertise in environmental sciences and engineering. Her
academic journey commenced with a focus on environmental sciences during her Master’s,
where she distinguished herself by majoring in carbon sequestration through a green synthesis approach. Notably, she secured a prestigious HEC-funded project, underscoring her commitment to impactful research. Serving as a lecturer in Environmental Sciences stands as a significant achievement, reflecting her dedication to education and knowledge

dissemination. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Energy Systems Engineering at the U.S.- Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCASE) at National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad. Saira’s academic distinctions are rooted in her research excellence.

How will your work assist those in underserved geographic regions?

It is important to consider the specific needs of rural and underserved communities in their quest for a cost-effective and readily available solution to address their daily requirements. These communities often lack the financial resources to implement advanced technologies like perovskite solar cells, which can be expensive and difficult to maintain. My research, centered around the use of ceramic membrane separators, aims to provide a cost-effective and locally accessible solution for clean energy production. By treating wastewater in the cathode chamber and employing microbial oxidation in the anode chamber, we can generate power while simultaneously addressing sanitation needs. Additionally, the use of clayware materials as an ionic transfer medium ensures that the project materials are within reach of the local population. This approach is designed to empower rural communities, aligning with my commitment to serving those in need through sustainable energy solutions.

Uyen Nha Lam

Bachelor’s Candidate, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Canada

Current Research: Using Geospatial Technologies for sustainable development and environmental monitoring

Biography: Uyen is a student in the Engineering Design and Drafting Technology program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic and will be pursuing a degree in Information Technology. My passion for geospatial technologies started in my second year of the program when I was introduced to geographic information systems (GIS). I’m currently doing an internship as a student research assistant in Geospatial Technologies at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Our research includes analyzing remote sensing data, acquired through satellites and drones, extracting land-use/land-cover (LULC) information, and performing temporal analysis and environmental impact assessment. In many of our projects, we are working directly with First Nations communities in Canada.

How will your work assist those in underserved geographic regions?

My research involves mapping the natural environment on First Nations reserves, such as water bodies, grasslands, and wetlands, as well as the manmade environment. By collaborating with First Nations communities, we are also able to identify areas of cultural and historical significance, such as hunting grounds, ceremonial areas, and areas of medicinal vegetation.
Compiling all acquired information, our final product will be open-source web-based maps, open for use by anyone in the community. This will become an efficient asset management system, helping communities to adopt digital governance. In addition, using satellite imagery, we will identify areas prone to natural disasters such as floods and landslides, which will allow communities to make sustainable future development. Finally, and most importantly, as part of our project, we are offering training to members of First Nations communities on how to build, operate, and update an inventory system. This will help them sustain and manage this asset management system in the future.