In anticipation of the 7th Yale International Symposium on Olive Oil and Health, to be hosted at Yale from December 4–7, Yale Global Health Insights podcast host Dr. Sharon Chekijian sits down with Dr. Tassos Kyriakides, Assistant Professor of Biostatistics at the Yale School of Public Health and Director of the VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center. A scientist, researcher, and certified olive oil sommelier, Dr. Kyriakides brings a unique combination of data-driven research and cultural perspective to his work. From his upbringing in Cyprus to his leadership in international collaborations on HIV, PTSD, and clinical trial design, he reflects on how lifelong curiosity and a deep respect for food as medicine have shaped his career. He also discusses the origins of his olive oil research, the scientific evidence behind the Mediterranean diet’s health benefits, and how this work is expanding into studies on Alzheimer’s disease, metabolic health, and the gut microbiome.

You can find additional details the 7th Yale International Symposium on Olive Oil and Health—”The Olive Tree and the Future of Health; Innovations for Personal, Community, and Ecosystem Well-Being”—here.

In this episode of Global Health Insights, host Dr. Sharon Chekijian sits down with Dr. Teresa Chahine, Senior Lecturer at the Yale School of Management and Faculty Director of the Social Innovation Initiative at the Jackson School of Global Affairs. Dr. Chahine reflects on her journey from Lebanon to Yale, where she pioneered social entrepreneurship in global health through teaching, mentorship, and innovation.

Dr. Chahine explores how entrepreneurship can disrupt the status quo in public health, addressing root causes of inequity through bold, systems-oriented approaches. She highlights the importance of teaching the next generation to move beyond problem analysis to solution-building, and discusses her vision of “framework change” in health, education, and beyond. Through personal stories of mentorship, global impact, and the balance between her home country of Lebanon and the diaspora, she highlights how every individual can become a changemaker.

In this episode of Global Health Insights, host Dr. Sharon Chekijian sits down with Dr. Azita Emami, Dean of the Yale School of Nursing, to explore her remarkable journey across continents and disciplines in pursuit of health equity. From her early academic ambitions to leading three major nursing schools in the U.S., Dean Emami shares how her experiences shaped her commitment to global nursing leadership, immigrant health, and culturally responsive care. She discusses the importance of empowering nurses to practice to the full scope of their expertise, expanding primary care access, and developing equitable healthcare systems worldwide. She underscores the value of global citizenship, collaboration, and advocacy in transforming health outcomes.

In the latest episode of Yale Global Health Insights, Dr. Sharon Chekijian sits down with Dr. Sten Vermund, a leading figure in infectious disease epidemiology and public health policy. From his groundbreaking research on HIV prevention to his global impact on healthcare access, Dr. Vermund shares his journey, insights, and the lasting influence of his work on health systems worldwide. Tune in for a conversation about the intersection of global health, policy, and the personal stories that drive transformation.

In part two of this episode of the Global Health Insights podcast, host Dr. Sharon Chekijian continues her conversation with Dr. Albert Ko, Yale Professor and global health leader. Dr. Ko shares how his work in Brazil shaped Yale’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including groundbreaking initiatives like saliva-based testing and wastewater surveillance. They discuss lessons from the pandemic, the importance of addressing social inequities in health, and how global health paradigms can inform future emergency responses. Dr. Ko also highlights the NIH-funded Global Health Equity Scholars Program, training future leaders to tackle pressing issues like climate change, infectious diseases, and surgical care in underserved populations. The episode wraps up with reflections on leadership, community-based health solutions, and the critical role of global health in shaping the future.

In the latest episode of Yale Global Health Insights, Dr. Sharon Chekijian sits down with Dr. Albert Ko,the Raj and Indra Nooyi Professor of Public Health and Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine. They discuss how his upbringing led directly to his transformative work addressing public health challenges. Dr. Ko has worked extensively in Brazil’s urban informal settlements or “favelas” where rapid urbanization and social inequities fuel the spread of infectious diseases like zika and dengue. The conversation highlights the power of community-driven solutions and the importance of rigorous mentorship in tackling global health crises.

In this episode of the Yale Global Health Insights podcast, host Dr. Sharon Chekijian sits down with Dr. Melanie Sion, a distinguished surgeon at the Yale School of Medicine specializing in trauma, general surgery, and surgical critical care and a lead for the Global Surgery Faculty Network at the Yale Institute for Global Health. Dr. Sion shares her unique journey of integrating minimally invasive techniques with her passion for global health, particularly her impactful work developing surgical services in low- and middle-income countries like Malawi. Dr. Sion discusses the importance of equity in healthcare delivery, the challenges faced in global surgery, and her personal experiences navigating career, motherhood, and her commitment to improving healthcare systems. Tune in to hear Dr. Sion’s insights and watch the accompanying documentary that highlights the journey of a surgical resident in Malawi.

Dr. Sharon Chekijian speaks with Dr. Tracy Rabin, the Director of the Office of Global Health at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Rabin’s journey from providing hands-on clinical care in Uganda to establishing sustainable global health education and partnerships has been shaped by her deep commitment to healthcare equity. Explore how her experiences in low-resource settings have inspired her to develop educational frameworks that empower healthcare professionals worldwide and how she envisions the future of global health through collaboration and shared learning.

In Bridging Worlds: A Journey Through Global Health (Part Two), Dr. Sharon Chekijian continues to talk with Professor Harriet Mayanja-Kizza on her journey through global health. They discuss the challenges of decolonizing global health efforts and how international collaborations have fueled significant changes. They also touch on the complexities of conducting research in resource-limited settings, the impact of brain drain on healthcare, and the importance of mentorship and equal partnership in medical training. Through her reflections, you’ll gain insights into the evolving landscape of global health, the resilience of healthcare providers in Uganda, and the interconnectedness of our world, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Bridging Worlds: A Journey Through Global Health (Part One), Dr. Sharon Chekijian talks with Professor Harriet Mayanja-Kizza, a distinguished figure in medicine and education. With her extensive work at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, and her pivotal role in fostering international collaborations, Dr. Mayanja-Kizza’s contributions have left a lasting mark on medical training and research across continents. Her work also extends to Yale University, as she is also a longtime collaborator of Dr. Tracy Rabin, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Yale School of Medicine, as they co-direct the Makerere University-Yale University (MUYU) Bidirectional Exchange. Tune in to hear her compelling story, from her early inspirations to her remarkable achievements and her unique perspective on mentorship and leadership in the field of global health.