Patience Ajoff-Foster, PhD, CDE serves as the assistant vice president for inclusive culture and belonging at Drexel University, where she co-leads the operationalization and success monitoring of Drexel’s antiracism and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts to foster a sense of community and belonging. She co-leads the culture of equity imperative of the University’s strategic plan. A certified diversity executive, Patience is a long-time higher education professional who has held several roles in student affairs and faculty development and diversity.

Patience Fakornam Doe, PhD is a registered nurse with specialist education in public health, education and health promotion. She did her first and second degrees at the School of Nursing and School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana. She has been involved in several projects related to maternal and child health promotion, continuous professional development, undergraduate as well as postgraduate nursing education. Her research interests include nursing education, maternal and child health promotion and preconception health care. 

Dr Frank Alifui-Segbaya is an educator, researcher, and materials scientist currently serving as a Senior Lecturer at Griffith University. His expertise spans several fields, including dental technology, biomaterials and additive manufacturing (3D printing). Through his leadership, Dr Segbaya has pioneered the integration of digital design and manufacturing in the dental technology curriculum, setting international benchmarks that have led to wider adoption and significant impact within the School of Dentistry and Oral Health at Griffith University. He previously worked in both industry and academia across Ghana, Germany, Wales, and England. Over the years, he has focused on the development and analysis of biomaterials in additive manufacturing. His research not only advances the field of dental technology but also translates into better, safer, and more affordable dental care for patients in several ways.

Vincent Tawiah is an Assistant Professor in International Financial Reporting at Dublin City University. He completed his PhD at Griffith University, Australia. He holds a Master of Commerce from India and a Bachelor of Commerce from Ghana. His principal research includes international financial reporting practices, sustainability, corporate governance, development economics, and politics. He has over 30 publications in top-ranked peer-reviewed journals.

Lucy Ogbu-Nwobodo, MD, MS, MAS, completed her medical school education at University of California, Davis, and her residency training at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)/McLean Harvard Psychiatry Program. She is dedicated to improving health care through social justice. She is currently on the faculty at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) in a number of clinical and leadership roles including as: an Associate Program Director in the Psychiatry Residency Training Program; the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in Public Psychiatry and Lead Psychiatrist at the UCSF Alliance Health Project. She also has a faculty appointment at Massachusetts General Hospital as a Faculty Researcher. The primary theme of her work is based on equity-focused organizational initiatives, community engagement, research and mental health workforce development.

Jerry John Ouner (né Nutor),  PhD is an associate  professor at University of California, San Francisco. As a nurse scientist trained in Ghana and the United States, Dr. Ouner works with nurses and other healthcare professionals in multiple African countries. He is a 2023 Fellow of the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program. Dr. Ouner  has held several leadership positions and have advocated for the nursing profession at different levels throughout his training and career as a nurse scientist both in Ghana and the United States. His passion for global health and advocacy for the nursing profession prepared him to represent Sigma at the United Nations. 

I am very grateful for this thesis grant awarded to me by the African Interdisciplinary Research Institute, this will be used to partly cover the cost of my data collection. Primary data sourced from Ejura Sekyeduamse and Nkoranza North from 430 farmers will be used for my study, hence the need for financial resources. This grant will enable me to recruit more experienced enumerators for the collection of data and cover travel and accommodation expenses. This will go a long way to enhance the quality of my data and hence the quality of my research outcomes. 

Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in zinc and iron, present significant public health challenges due to their crucial roles in reproductive health. My doctoral research aims to determine whether mangrove oysters provide adequate micronutrients to address these local deficiencies, especially among women in coastal communities. Oysters are vital for food and nutrition security for over 4,000 people, primarily women, in Ghanaian estuarine sites. However, securing sufficient funding for my doctoral training programme remains a challenge. The AfiRi grant would be instrumental in covering the remaining costs associated with test trips and the production of my thesis report.

I am a master's student researching the theme “Nasopharyngeal carriage, antibacterial resistance patterns, and serotype distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae in diabetic patients of a diabetic clinic in a tertiary hospital in Ghana”. My project has been held back due to unavailable funds for procuring materials. Receiving this grant will facilitate the procurement of materials and completion of my thesis.

I am an MPhil Food Science and Technology final-year postgraduate student at the University for Development Study in Tamale, Ghana. 

I am writing to convey my sincere appreciation for the African Interdisciplinary Research Institute's (AfIRI) Graduate Thesis Grant, which has enabled me to continue my research on the investigation and possible industrial usage of fonio (Digitaria exilis) flour. I am eager to work with AfIRI in the future and will keep them informed of my progress.