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Department of Health and Society

Obidimma Ezezika

Obidimma Ezezika
Assistant Professor (Status-Only)

Biography

Obidimma Ezezika (BSc, Ph.D., MEM, ACUE) is an Assistant Professor in the School of Health Studies at Western University and the Principal Investigator of the Global Health & Innovation Lab: an Implementation Science research and education initiative on the systematic uptake of evidence-based interventions into routine practice in global health. Prof. Ezezika’s research examines how to scale evidence-based interventions to meet marginalized communities’ health needs at the local and global levels. His research aims to promote evidence-based health interventions, particularly in low and middle-income countries, using implementation science research. These interventions range from mhealth technologies, vaccination campaigns, infectious disease treatments to large-scale nutrition interventions. He is the inaugural recipient of the University of Toronto Global Educator Award, recognizing faculty members who embody its global mission and profile. He is also the recipient of several other awards, including the D2L Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning and the Next Einstein award.

Education

  • PhD, Microbiology, University of Georgia, USA
  • Masters of Environmental Management, Yale University, USA
  • Advanced Diploma in Risk Assessment and Biosafety, Marche Polytechnic University, Italy
  • BSc, Microbiology, University of Lagos, Nigeria

Affiliations

  • Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University
  • African Centre for Innovation & Leadership Development
  • Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
  • Canadian Science Policy Centre

Teaching Interests

  • Global Health Equity
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Food Security & Sovereignty
  • Health Research Methods
  • Science & Technology Policy

Research Interests

  • Global Health Innovation
  • Implementation Science
  • Science & Technology Policy
  • Food Security & Nutrition
  • Biotechnology Development

Awards and Grants

Selected Grants:

  • Centre for Teaching & Learning, University of Toronto, Scarborough, "Development of a Web-based Integrated Learning Lab for Global Health" (2017 - 2018, Principal Investigator)
  • Grand Challenges Canada, “E-vouchers for veggies: reducing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through video games and storytelling to promote behavior change” 2014-2016, Principal Investigator).
  • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, “Ethical, Social, Cultural and Commercialization (ESC2) Program for Water-Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA)” (2008-2013, Co-Investigator).

 Selected Awards: 

  • D2L Innovation Award (2021)
  • UTSC Teaching Award (2021)
  • University of Toronto Global Educator Award (2020)
  • Next Einstein Award (2019)
  • Decanal Special Merit Award (2018)

Publications

Selected