Professor Osman Sankoh, Chair
A renowned Sierra Leonean biostatistician and epidemiologist, Prof. Sankoh currently serves as the Executive Director of the Centre for Health Research and Training (CHaRT-SL) and is Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Management and Technology in Freetown.
His academic affiliations extend to him as an adjunct professor at the School of Community Health Sciences, Njala University, and visiting scholar status at the University of Heidelberg Medical School in Germany.
He has held key leadership positions including Statistician-General and CEO of Statistics Sierra Leone, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Njala University, and Executive Director of the INDEPTH Network in Ghana. He has also served as Vice-Chair of the United Nations Statistical Commission.
As a prolific researcher, Professor Sankoh has authored over 120 peer-reviewed scientific papers in leading journals, including The Lancet, International Journal of Epidemiology, and Nature and he has successfully secured major grants from prominent funding agencies such as the Gates Foundation, Sida, IDRC, Wellcome Trust, and the Hewlett Foundation.
Professor Osman Sankoh, Chair
A renowned Sierra Leonean biostatistician and epidemiologist, Prof. Sankoh currently serves as the Executive Director of the Centre for Health Research and Training (CHaRT-SL) and is Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Management and Technology in Freetown.
His academic affiliations extend to him as an adjunct professor at the School of Community Health Sciences, Njala University, and visiting scholar status at the University of Heidelberg Medical School in Germany.
He has held key leadership positions including Statistician-General and CEO of Statistics Sierra Leone, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Njala University, and Executive Director of the INDEPTH Network in Ghana.
He has also served as Vice-Chair of the United Nations Statistical Commission.
As a prolific researcher, Professor Sankoh has authored over 120 peer-reviewed scientific papers in leading journals, including The Lancet, International Journal of Epidemiology, and Nature and he has successfully secured major grants from prominent funding agencies such as the Gates Foundation, Sida, IDRC, Wellcome Trust, and the Hewlett Foundation.
Dr. Erin Eckert, Deputy Chair
A distinguished infectious disease epidemiologist focusing on malaria control and elimination, surveillance systems, program evaluation, and pandemic preparedness.
Dr. Eckert has dedicated her career to improving access to healthcare, specifically focusing on metrics for tracking malaria interventions.
Her experience includes working with governments, international organizations, and NGOs on policy development, program design, and implementation.
Dr. Eckert previously served as a Senior Technical Advisor for the U.S. President's Malaria Initiative and led the Infectious Diseases Portfolio at RTI International.
Joining Prof. Sankoh and Dr. Eckert on the CESMEL Health Board are:
- Dr. Apollinaire Tiam, Vice-President, Technical Strategies and Innovation, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
- Dr. Catherine Kyobutungi, Executive Director, APHRC
- Dr. Mercy Guech-Ongey, Public Health, Infectious Disease Epidemiologist and Senior Scientific Advisor
CESMEL Health, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing health outcomes across Africa through data-driven solutions, is proud to introduce its esteemed Board of Directors. This distinguished group brings a wealth of experience and expertise in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, and program implementation, further solidifying CESMEL Health’s commitment to transforming healthcare delivery and improving population health in the region.
With its diverse and experienced Board of Directors, CESMEL Health is well-positioned to achieve its vision of becoming a leading resource for thought leadership, methodological innovations, and capacity strengthening in SMEL. Through data-driven solutions and evidence-based decision making, CESMEL Health will continue to transform health service delivery and improve health outcomes across Africa.
For more information about CESMEL Health and its mission, please contact us at info@cesmelhealth.org.