Third Meeting of the DS-I Africa Consortium
3 November - 9 November 2023

Mr Aminu Musa - Participant

Role of Data Streams In Informing Infection Dynamics in Africa- INFORM Africa (COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST)

Musa Aminu holds a Bachelor's degree in Human physiology from Afe Babalola University Nigeria, and a Master's degree in Pharmacology and therapeutics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. He is currently a PhD candidate at the Nelson Mandela University Port-Elizabeth, South Africa, with a research focus on the impact of psychoactive substances on brain plasticity and exploring epigenetic modulators, as therapeutic targets. Musa is passionate about advancing scientific literacy, working with communities, and developing programs that address the public health needs of the escalating drug use crisis in Africa. Among his myriad interests are; science communication and the ethical considerations that surround artificial intelligence. His diverse range of interests and pursuits provide the requisite for him to function in dynamic roles, including communications and programs. For over a decade, Musa has actively volunteered and worked with multiple non-governmental organizations (NGOs) providing mental health services in Nigeria. He has been involved in several impactful initiatives as an implementing partner of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). His contributions to these organizations include developing human-interest stories, creating website content, writing articles and blog posts, proposal writing and designing community-based activities. Musa has also been instrumental in developing prevention modules, leading sensitization workshops, conducting outreaches and advocacy campaigns, as well as devising communication strategies to inform public opinions. He has garnered significant amount of experience working as a freelance consultant, and as an independent researcher. Notably, he has provided consultancy services for the H3AFRICA coordinating center and between 2021-2023, he conducted a cohort study on the impact of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic on the prevalence of substance use in secondary school students. His dedication to advancing scientific knowledge is evidenced by six (6) peer-reviewed articles he has published.