In Episode Seven, we speak with Dr. Lerato Mtshali, traditional healer and immunologist, and Research Associate for the African Health Research Institute. She holds a PhD in laboratory medicine from the University of KwaZula-Natal and a master’s degree in biochemistry and plant sciences, and has a special interest in innovation and infectious disease research. 

In Episode Six, we will cover the impact of implementation science on global health interventions at home and abroad with Dr. Yodi Mahendradhata, Dean and Professor of Health Policy and Management at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing at the Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia. 

He has led developments of national strategy for implementation research, national strategy for tuberculosis control, and country proposals to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. 

This episode was recorded at the 2025 CUGH Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA, February 19-22. The Sparkman Center co-hosted the conference titled "Innovating and Implementing in Global Health for a Sustainable Future."

In Episode Five, we are talking to Dr. David Peters, Professor in the Faculty of Health and interim provost at York University in Toronto, Canada, about his experience with building strategies to improve healthcare systems in low-resource areas of the world.

He is known for his collaborative work on developing the fields of health policy & systems research, implementation science, and building institutional capacity, is a much sought-after leader and advisor for international and national programs, and is among the top 1% of most-cited scientists in the world.

This episode was recorded at the 2025 CUGH Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA, February 19-22. The Sparkman Center co-hosted the conference titled "Innovating and Implementing in Global Health for a Sustainable Future."

In Episode Four, we will cover the private sector’s role in global health with Dr. Liza Kimbo, senior specialist for private-sector service delivery for The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. In this role she supports engagement of private-sector providers by addressing global health needs.

This episode was recorded at the 2025 CUGH Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA, February 19-22. The Sparkman Center co-hosted the conference titled "Innovating and Implementing in Global Health for a Sustainable Future."

In Episode Three, we will discuss the impact of implementation science capacity building on low-to-middle income communities with Dr. Malabika Sarker, Associate Dean of Global Engagement, Professor of the Practice of Behavioral and Social Sciences at Brown University in Rhode Island, and an implementation researcher and a mixed-method expert.

She is a physician with a Master's in Public Health (MPH) from Harvard University, the USA, and a Doctorate in Public Health from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, has worked on four continents, awarded over $10 million in research/capacity-building grants, and has published 150 peer-reviewed articles and six book chapters.

This episode was recorded at the 2025 CUGH Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA, February 19-22. The Sparkman Center co-hosted the conference titled "Innovating and Implementing in Global Health for a Sustainable Future."

In Episode Two, we will cover mental health at home and abroad with Dr. Angela Sullivan, assistant dean of the UAB School of Public Health Student and Academic Services, and assistant professor in the department of Health Behavior. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and a PhD in Health Education/Health Promotion, and teaches graduate courses in community assessment, suicide prevention and research methods in the behavioral sciences.

In Episode One, we will cover the basics and current landscape of global public health with Dr. Kunle Alonge, director of the UAB Sparkman Center for Global Health. Dr. Alonge came to UAB from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and has extensive experience in research focused on implementation science, health systems strengthening, and injuries at a global level.