An experienced physician and an epidemiologist with vast experience in public health, communicable disease epidemiology, HIV/AIDS research; emergency preparedness and response in domestic and international settings. Excellent communicator with demonstrated ability to foster interdisciplinary collaborations.
Skill Highlights
Strong analytical and data presentation skills
Proficiency in use of several analytical softwares
EPI-INFO
SPSS
SAS
Microsoft Excel, Access, etc.
Strong database management skills
Knowledge of electronic data transfer between various systems
Knowledge of disaster preparedness and response.
Had use the community assessment in public health response (CASPER) model in assessing various public health needs / issues. Good analytical and statistical skills
Competent in the use of various statistical packages
EPI _ INFO
SPSS
SAS
Microsoft Excel
Accomplishments
Use of advanced tools like Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) in disease investigation Knowledge and competence in various tools in early disease detection, investigation and response: Environmental sensors (BIOWATCH) Real time on line outbreak disease detection system (RODS) Geographic information systems (GIS) Medical Research laboratories, Fajara, The Gambia (MRC) October 1999 - March 2001 Research Fellow Duties: Under took research training in HIV/AIDS.
This had a laboratory and clinical a component to it.
Laboratory Research: The main focus of this work was to develop a suitable method (cheaper and reliable for resource poor setting) to assess cellular immune response in HIV-1 and in HIV-2.It was generally thought that HIV-2 had a better cellular immune response compared to HIV-1 and that was probably responsible for the better quality of life and outcome in HIV-2.
The method developed / adapted used a recombinant vaccinnia virus to deliver the HIV antigens to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) instead of using the conventional antigen presenting cells.
The assessment of stimulation was done by ELISPOT (for external IFN-gamma release) and flow cytometry (to assess intracellular release after appropriate stain) instead of the traditional chromium release assay.
2) Clinical: I was involved in routine patient care and recruitment into the above study at the Genitourinary Medicine clinic.
Accomplishments: I had training and experience in Clinical, Laboratory and Epidemiological research in HIV/AIDS.
Specifically I conducted a study to demonstrate the immunological differences between HIV-1 and HIV-2.
The findings of this study have been published in clinical and experimental immunology I ran the daily Sexually transmitted disease (STD), Genitourinary Medicine Clinic (GUM) on rotational basis.
This clinic sees all the STDS, including Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Syphilis, LGV, HIV/AIDS etc.
and serves as recruitment and follows up center for various clinical cohort studies I conducted a study to demonstrate the immunological differences between HIV-1 and HIV-2.
The findings of this study have been published in clinical and experimental immunology.
I developed / adapted recombinant vaccinnia virus to deliver the HIV antigens to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) instead of using the conventional antigen presenting cells.
The assessment of stimulation was done by ELISPOT (for external IFN-gamma release) and flow cytometry (to assess intracellular release after appropriate stain) instead of the traditional chromium release assay.
I provided routine patient care and patient recruitment into the above study at the Genitourinary Medicine clinic.
Related skills: I acquired skills in advanced laboratory methods which included; separation of mononuclear cells from whole blood, Cell culture, ELISA, ELISPOT assays and the use of the flow Cytometer.
I acquired competence in cell culture, and titration of vaccinia stocks, preparing PBMC, freezing and resuscitation of frozen cells.
Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos January 1995 - October 1999 Medical Resident (Hematology / Blood transfusion) As a resident in Hematology and Blood Transfusion, I went through a full training in the discipline that includes clinical, laboratory hematology, provision of safe blood and transfusion medicine.
I conducted various HIV/AIDS clinical trials and laboratory research.
The clinical trials were done in partnership with Glaxowelcome and Roche Pharmaceutical companies.
1) A correlation study to determine the relationship between absolute lyClaireocyte count (ALC) and CD4 cell count (CCC) in HIV patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy.
Compassionate study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of lamivudine and Zidovudine Combination Therapy in HIV positive Patients with CD4 cell counts of 50-600cells/mm3.
The Biological Effects of the Use of Two Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (Combivir -Epivir/Retrovir) in the Treatment of HIV/AIDS in a Resource Poor Setting.
General Hospital Badagry December 1991 -December 1994 Medical Officer Provided first line medical service to the community in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Oby/Gyn, and Surgery.
I worked in the emergency room, obstetrics and gynecological department and pediatrics sections.
Taking calls and many times was responsible for the entire hospital medical work over night.
I conducted various public health education campaigns in the community.
I participated in initial HIV/AIDS sentinel surveillance in Nigeria at this time.
Nigerian Navy Hospital, Ojo, Lagos October 1990 - September 1991 Medical officer Provided first line outpatients and in patients services to Military personnel, their families etc.
Providing services in the emergency room, operating rooms, in patients ward (Medical, Surgical, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology) and the family planning sections.
In addition weekly community service at the rural villages.
This involved environmental sanitation, health campaigns and education.
Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria - House officer .August, 1989 - July 1990 House officer Compulsory one year Housemanship (Internship) rotating through the disciplines of Pediatrics (2months), Histopathology (1 month), Obstetrics and gynecology (3 months), Internal Medicine (3 months) and Surgery (3 months).
Professional Experience
Medical Officer, 07/2014 to Present Gap Solutions, Inc – , ,
My role is to provide technical support to Member States of the WHO for strengthening their capacity to develop and implement national preparedness and response plans for pandemic and epidemic prone diseases and to improve regional capacity for the early detection , confirmation and response to pandemic and epidemic-prone disease and other public health emergencies of international concern (PHEIC), I coordinate and monitor the implementation of programmes for the promotion and strengthening of Epidemic Preparedness and Response in the WHO African Region.
I provide technical support in situation analysis, assessment (including the assessment of risk related to epidemics), formulations of plans of actions for Epidemic preparedness and Response.
I provide support to the inter-country teams in the implementation of inter-country activities to strengthen national capacity for Epidemic Preparedness and Response.
I coordinate the development of guidelines on the assessment of country level readiness/preparedness for outbreaks, and guidelines on the development of comprehensive epidemic preparedness and response plan.
I coordinate the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of guidelines of response to outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
I coordinate the development monitoring and evaluation of guidelines for strengthening cross border collaboration among countries of the African Region in accordance with IHR provisions.
I support interventions for the mobilization and deployment of technical and financial resources for preparation and response to epidemics.
I strengthen the regional capacity for response through a regional and country network of rapid response teams.
I provide technical support to member States in the preparation of project proposals and appeals for mobilizing external resources to strengthen Epidemic Preparedness and Response.
Project management: 1.
Project manager of the pandemic influenza preparedness (PIP) framework project in the African region.
This project supports pandemic influenza preparedness by promoting influenza virus sharing and equitable access to vaccines and other benefits.
2.
Project focal point for the emerging pandemic threats (EPT) project in the African Region funded by the USAID.
This project provides support for the early detection and containment of Public Health Events (PHE) especially of zoonotic origin and eClaireasizes the One Health approach.
Accomplishments: The development of the AFRO operational plan for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) preparedness for non-affected but at risk counties; including the consolidated Checklist used to assess EVD preparedness Organized and participated in Ebola Preparedness Strengthening Team visits to high risk countries using the EVD consolidated checklist Organized trainings to strengthen EVD preparedness and response for AFRO Member States The development SOPs and guidelines on preparedness, surveillance and response to Public Health Events (PHE) Provided timely response to outbreaks and other PHEs in the region; Cholera, Meningitis, Typhoid fever, H5N1 poultry outbreaks, Lassa fever, Yellow fever, Measles, Rabies, Dengue, Plague, Chikungunya , Zika Virus Fever, Outbreaks of Influenza Like Illness Deployment to support the Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak, Uganda October 2014 Coordinated efforts between FAO, OIE, Veterinary health services etc.
in the investigation and response to PHE in line with One Health approach Ensuing pandemic influenza preparedness through full implementation of all the components of the PIP Framework; Laboratory and surveillance; regulatory capacity building; burden of disease estimations; plaining for deployment and risk communication Development of PHE disease framework through the EPT project; ensuring timely PHE detection and deployment of response including logistics.
Related skills: Epidemic and Pandemic prone diseases preparedness planning Disease outbreak response and coordination Knowledge and application of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) through the implementation of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) in the African Region.
Knowledge and application of the WHO emergency response framework(ERF) in emergency and disaster management Writing guidelines and SOPs Grant proposal writing Project management.
Epidemiologist III, 07/2010 to 07/2014 Knowesis Inc. – , ,
I performed highly advanced epidemiological work mainly in the field of communicable diseases and public health emergency preparedness and response.
I participated as a state resource during response to local, regional or statewide public health emergency including bioterrorism events.
I initiate, plan, develop and direct epidemiological surveillance or studies for notifiable conditions both for regional and local health departments.
I implement policies and protocols to improve surveillance.
I serve as a consultant to local health departments for both epidemiological investigations and surveillance programs.
I plan and supervise the work of others when necessary.
My duties are performed under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiatives and independent judgment.
Accomplishments: Established monthly regional Morbidity and Mortality surveillance report.
Enhanced the School Surveillance process in the region Enhanced the Influenza like illness Surveillance process in the region Trained and mentored regional staff in disease investigation Coordinated several food bore (enteric diseases) outbreaks that cut across several local health departments within the region.
Helped to develop standard protocols and procedures in communicable disease surveillance Have applied the Unified Command and Incident command structure to manage public emergencies.
State resource on several committees: Influenza Surveillance The epidemiological response team (ERT).
Senior Epidemiologist / Team Lead, 07/2001 to 07/2010 Department Of Health And Human Services – , ,
I served as first line Supervisor / Team lead and mentor to a group of Epidemiologists and Surveillance staff.
In this position I coordinated the reports of communicable diseases (including outbreaks and public health preparedness activities) in the City of Houston.
I investigated these reports, provided prompt and adequate intervention.
I was involved in training, protocol development and development of best approaches to disease investigation and management.
I regularly analyzed the surveillance data, set reference standards as part of early disease detection techniques did regular presentation of the surveillance data and other health topics to relevant groups within and outside the city, including conferences and workshops.
I managed the communicable disease database for the city ensuring, functionality, evaluation and effective communication of data between the city, the state department of health and the CDC.I collaborated in many CDC, Homeland Security and other grant funded projects in Houston.
Accomplishments: Produced monthly Morbidity and Mortality surveillance reports.
Provided timely responses to reported notifiable diseases and outbreaks; Food diseases outbreaks; Vaccine preventive diseases outbreaks; Meningitis outbreaks; Blood borne pathogens etc.
Has been the designated epidemiologist ensuring work and data quality including evaluation.
This process has to be concluded before data can be transferred to the Texas Department of State Health services (DSHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Lead a team of epidemiologists coordinating electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) to the Houston health department Member of the committee involved in developing a bidirectional transfer of electronic data between Houston and the Texas DSHS and the CDC.
Authored and / or contributed to over eight posters and oral presentations to several conferences and meetings including the report of the first probable Human Rabies Survival case investigation and report.
Presumptive Abortive Human Rabies - Texas, 2009.MMWR.2010 Feb.
Weekly / Vol.59 / No.7 .Cited in PubMed; PMID: 20186117 Ensured continuity of projects through participation in writing of grants and meeting grant deliverables.
Had participated in many disaster recovery efforts; Hurricane Katrina, Rita and Ike.
Represented the City of Houston at the Office of emergency management (OEM) during several emergency situations.
Education and Training
Masters: , Expected in 1998 School of Postgraduate Studies University of Lagos - , GPA:
Public Health (Claire).
Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Residency training in Hematology and Blood transfusion , 1995 - 1999, Fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (FMCPATH) and Part1 of the West African College of Physicians (FWACP1).: , Expected in - , GPA:
Bachelors of Medicine, Bachelors of Surgery (MBBS): , Expected in June 1989 University of Lagos / College of Medicine University of Lagos - , GPA:
Certifications
Affiliations
Member of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE)
Member American Medical Association
Publications
Akanmu AS, Akinsete I, Eshofonie AO, Davies A, Okany C. Absolute lyClaireocyte Count as surrogate for CD4+ cell count in monitoring response to antiretroviral therapy. Niger Postgrad Med. J. 2001 Sep; 8(3): 105-108. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 11721211. Eshofonie A, Shim Van der Loef MS, Whittle H, Jaye A. An adaptation of recombinat vaccinia-based ELISPOT and Intracellular cytokine staining for a comparative measurement of cellular immune response in HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections in West Africa. Clinical and Experimental Immunology.2006 Dec; 146(3): 471-478. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 17100767. Eshofonie AO, Lin H, Valcin RP, Martin LR, Grunrnwald PE. An outbreak of Pertussis in Rural Texas: An Example of the Resurgence of the Disease in the United States. Journal of Community Health.2015Feb; 40(1): 88-91. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 24927977. Holzmann-Pazgal G, Wanger A, Degaffe G, Rose C, Heresi G, Amaya R, Eshofonie A, Lee-Han H, Awosika-Olumo A, Kuzmin I, Rupprecht CE. Presumptive Abortive Human Rabies - Texas, 2009. MMWR. 2010 Feb; 59(7): 185-190. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 20186117. Adeleye O, Carvalho MH, Halm MK, Eshofonie AO, Rosario AC, Awosika-olumo A. Using Syndromic Data to Investigate Gastrointestinal Illness Associated with Water Complaints in Houston. Advances in Disease Surveillance. 2007 Oct; 4(141): 141. Halm MK, Carvalho MH, Eshofonie AO, Awosika-Olumo A. Surveillance Zones:Geographic Aggregation of Syndromic Data for Improved Response. Advances in Disease Surveillance. 2007 Oct; 4(96): 96. Poster Presentations Adeleye, O., Eshofonie, A., Zhang, Y., Awosika-Olumo, A. (2007, June). Similar Salmonella Typhi PFGE Pattern in Individuals with Prior Exposure to West Africa. Poster presented at: Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual conference; Atlantic City, NJ. Awosika-Olumo. A., Azuike, I., Eshofonie, A., Byrant, W., Lee-Han, H. (2009, June). Syndromic Surveillance: Heat-Related Complaints as Indicators of Temperature Increase. Poster presented at: Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual Conference; Buffalo, NY. Azuike, I., Eshofonie, A., Ramon, M., Akwari, O., Turner, H., Mgbere, O., Haynes, C., Ananaba, N., Awosika-Olumo, A. (2011, June). Hepatitis C and it's transmission risk factors in Houston, Texas: An enhanced surveillance study (2008-2009). Poster presented at: 2011 Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual conference; Pittsburgh, PA. Eshofonie, A., Lin, H., Valcin, R., Martin, L. (2014). Using an Outbreak in Rural Texas to Describe the Resurgence of Pertussis. Poster presented at: Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual Conference; Nashville, TN. Eshofonie, A., Blanco, K., Lin, H., Valcin, R., Martin, L. (2013). When Private Events Go Public; Gastrointestinal Outbreak. Poster presented at: Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual Conference; Pasadena, CA. Eshofonie, A., Lin, H., Valcin, R., Irvin, D.,Gosh, K., Piper,J., (2012,June). Challenges in investigating a Salmonella disease outbreak in a correctional facility. Poster presented at: Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual Conference; Omaha, NE. Eshofonie, A., Ramon, M., Akwari, O., Lee-Han, H. (2009, October). The Role of Communication and Collaboration in Human Rabies Control. Poster presented at: 20th Rabies in the Americas (RITA XX) Conference; Quebec, Canada. Eshofonie, A., Ramon, M., Akwari, O., Turner, H. (2009, June). A Possible Dialysis / Blood Transfusion Related Hepatitis B infection. Poster presented at: Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual Conference; Buffalo, NY. Halm, M., Carvalho, M., Eshofonie, A., Awosika-Olumo, A. (2008, June). Epidemiology of Reported Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Houston, Texas between 2003 and 2007. Poster presented at: Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual conference; Denver, CO. Ramon, M., Eshofonie, A., Awosika-Olumo, A., Slentz, M. (2009, June). Spatial and Demographic Patterns of Submersion Injuries in Houston 2000-2008. Poster presented at: Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Meeting; Buffalo, NY. Turner, H., Ramon, M., Eshofonie, A., Akwari, O. (2009, June). Temporal-Spatial Patterns of Hepatitis C infections in Houston 2005-2008. Poster presented at: Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual Conference; Buffalo, NY. Oral Presentations Awosika-Olumo, A., Halm, M., Carvalho, M., Eshofonie, A., Camody, F., Arafat, R., Williams, S. (2008, June). Activation of Unified Command Structure and Strategic National Stockpile Protocol for a Meningococcal Outbreak at a Local Houston University. Oral Presentation presented at: Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual conference; Denver, CO. Carvalho, M., Halm, M., Eshofonie, A., Awosika - Olumo, A. (2008, June). A Local Health Department Investigation of Sick Building syndrome: Challenges and Conclusions. Oral Presentation presented at: Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual conference; Denver, CO. Eshofonie,A. (2013). Evaluation of an Online School Surveillance System. Oral Presentation presented at: Texas Department of State Health Services Influenza Surveillance Workshop; Austin, TX. Rupprecht, C., Holzmann, P., Eshofonie, A. (2009, October). Is Human Rabies Always Fatal? Oral Presentation presented at: 20th Rabies in the Americas (RITA XX) Conference; Quebec, Canada Unpublished Papers AS. Akanmu, AO. Davies, UF. Dahuwa, E. Isamade, CC.Okany, JY. Obed, AO Eshofonie, JA Idoko, I. Akinsete, I. Mohammed. An Open, Compassionate Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Lamivudine And Zidovudine Combination Therapy in HIV Positive Patients with CD4 Cell Counts of 50 - 60 cells/ul. AS. Akanmu, AO. Davies, IB. Keshinro, MO Njoku, EN Ofoegbu, CC Okany, AO Eshofonie, N. Sirisima, JA Idoko, I. Akinsete, G. Onyemelukwe, J. Oli, DK, Eze.The Biological Effects of the Use of Two Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (Combivir - Epivir/Retrovir) in the Treatment of HIV/AIDS in a Resource Poor Setting.
Skills
approach, benefits, Blood borne pathogens, communicable diseases, communicable disease, oral, conferences, consultant, data transfer, database, database management, department of health, disaster recovery, emergency preparedness, epidemiologist, financial, Grant proposal, grants, Hematology, Team lead, logistics, meetings, mentor, Access, Microsoft Excel, Office, network, policies, posters, presentations, presentation skills, Project management, promotion, proposals, protocols, Public Health, quality, reporting, assessment of risk, SAS, SPSS, Supervisor, supervision, Teaching, technical support, Vaccine, vaccines, workshops
Resumes, and other information uploaded or provided by the user, are considered User Content governed by our Terms & Conditions. As such, it is not owned by us, and it is the user who retains ownership over such content.
Resume Overview
School Attended
School of Postgraduate Studies University of Lagos
University of Lagos / College of Medicine University of Lagos
Job Titles Held:
Medical Officer
Epidemiologist III
Senior Epidemiologist / Team Lead
Degrees
Masters
Public Health (Claire).
Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Residency training in Hematology and Blood transfusion , 1995 - 1999, Fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (FMCPATH) and Part1 of the West African College of Physicians (FWACP1).
Bachelors of Medicine, Bachelors of Surgery (MBBS)
