Fourth Meeting of the DS-I Africa Consortium
16 - 22 November 2024
The Ravenala Attitude Hotel, Mauritius

Mr Craig Parker - Participant

Developing data science solutions to mitigate the health impacts of climate change in Africa: the HE2AT Center (Data Scientist)

Craig Parker's appointment as an Associate Researcher within the Wits Planetary Health Research Division is strongly supported by his extensive expertise and significant contributions to the intersection of climate change and public health. Craig holds a Master of Management in Public and Development Management from the University of the Witwatersrand and a Master of Science in Health Inequalities and Public Policy from the University of Edinburgh, establishing a solid academic foundation for his research and policy analysis work. In his current role as a Data Scientist at the Wits Planetary Health Research Division, Craig has led groundbreaking research on the impact of climate change on health outcomes, particularly through his work as a Co-Investigator on the NIH-funded HE2AT Center project. His leadership in developing AI-driven models to predict heat vulnerability in urban populations across African cities is not only innovative but also crucial in addressing the pressing public health challenges posed by climate change. Moreover, Craig is currently embarking on a PhD program at the Wits School of Public Health, which marks the beginning of an exciting academic journey. His doctoral research will further advance the Division's mission by exploring deeper intersections of climate science, health, and public policy, contributing valuable insights