Public health professor named Carnegie African Diaspora Scholar

Bernard Appiah, DrPH, assistant professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Public Health, received an international fellowship by the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program.

Appiah will work in Ghana this summer with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)—assisting with developing and disseminating socio-behavioral research strategies on the correct use of herbal medicines. Two additional projects he will undertake include: Evaluating media reporting on the use of herbal medicines and training graduate students and faculty in research communication and grant proposal writing.

“Incorrect use of herbal medicines in Ghana is rampant largely due to ease of access and incorrect information on safety and effectiveness,” Appiah said. “I look forward to working on this important issue with Dr. Isaac Kingsley Amponsah, a KNUST faculty member whose expertise is herbal medicines.”

This project is one of 57 that will pair African Diaspora scholars with higher education institutions in Africa to collaborate on curriculum co-development, research, graduate teaching, training and mentoring activities.  Appiah is one of 59 African Diaspora scholars who have been awarded fellowships.

The Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship program facilitates engagement between scholars born in Africa who are now based in the United States or Canada, and, scholars in Africa on mutually beneficial academic activities.