October has been an eventful month for our 2024-2025 Fellows, featuring a range of activities from training sessions to our PopAging DataViz workshop聽hosted at Florida State University. This month also included two insightful Lunch and Learn sessions. We had the opportunity to catch up with Nkasiobi and Mahjoube. Continue reading to discover their personal goals, research interests, and aspirations for the upcoming year.
Nkasiobi Nwobi
Welcome to the interview, Nkasiobi! For an ice-breaking question, if you could have dinner with any data scientist or researcher, past or present, who would it be, and what burning question would you ask them about their approach?
I would love to have dinner with Dr. Hans Rosling. My question would be: How did you balance the need for scientific rigor with the desire to make data accessible and actionable for policymakers and the public, and what advice would you give to researchers aiming to influence evidence-based policy in today's complex information landscape?
Think back to a pivotal moment in your academic or professional journey. How did it shape your research interests and decision to join CAnD3?
During my eight years working on HIV/AIDS projects in Nigeria, I witnessed firsthand the power of data in shaping public health policies and outcomes. This realization ignited my passion for data-driven decision-making in healthcare, motivating me to pursue an MSc in Public Health at 91社区. My research at the Data-Driven Decision Modeling Lab, analyzing blood transfusion services during COVID-19, further solidified my interest in leveraging data for complex health challenges. Joining CAnD3 aligns perfectly with my goal of developing advanced analytical skills and exploring the social factors influencing aging populations' health. I'm excited to collaborate across disciplines and contribute to evidence-based policymaking for aging societies.
If you could design a dream project combining your research interests with CAnD3's resources, what would it look like, and what impact would you hope to achieve?
My primary interests lie in understanding social and structural determinants of health, and I am passionate about using data-driven analysis to inform public health policies that promote equitable healthcare outcomes. I look forward to leveraging CAnD3鈥檚 multidisciplinary network, collaborative environment, and access to innovative tools to bring this passion to life.
Share a recent publication, presentation, or project you're proud of. What was the most exciting or challenging aspect of this work?
I'm thrilled that my abstract, "Evolving Blood Donor Demographics in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic," was selected for an oral presentation at the 2024 AABB Annual Meeting in Houston. The most exciting aspect was analyzing blood donation trends during an unprecedented global disruption, uncovering shifts in donor demographics and behaviors, and exploring implications for transfusion services and public health. The challenge lay in managing and interpreting large datasets while accounting for numerous pandemic-related confounding factors. This experience has been invaluable in honing my data analysis skills and deepening my understanding of how global events can impact public health systems.
Finally, we'd love to see you in action! Outside the world of research and data, what hobby or interest do you have that might surprise people?
Outside the world of research and data, one of my strongest hobbies is spending time outdoors, particularly visiting parks with my family to enjoy the beauty of nature. Being surrounded by greenery helps me relax and recharge. I also have a passion for travel, as I love exploring new places and experiencing different cultures. Additionally, I enjoy watching movies and spending quality time with friends.
Mahjoube Amani Chakani
Hi Mahjoube, if your research journey was a book, what would its title be?
I would name it 鈥淟a vie devant soi鈥�.聽When I was very young, I read a book with this title and loved it deeply. Now, as I research family and youth, I often recall this book when I encounter similar themes in the literature and previous studies. I鈥檇 love to use its title for one of my own projects, as it鈥檚 a source of inspiration, especially given the many ups and downs I've encountered along my journey.
Think back to a pivotal moment in your academic or professional journey. How did it shape your research interests and decision to join CAnD3?
I vividly recall my first encounter with demographic data during my bachelor's studies in social policy, when I realized the significant impact of population changes on various social issues. Despite the current importance of immigration, studies examining migrants' family trajectories remain limited. This pivotal moment ignited my passion for Population Dynamics, leading me to pursue a PhD at 91社区. My diverse background in social policy, mathematics, demography, and sociology allows me to approach migration and early adulthood transitions from multiple angles and paves the way for shaping my future career path. Joining CAnD3 was a step to further my interdisciplinary research skills and explore innovative ways to present complex demographic data.
If you could design a dream project combining your research interests with CAnD3's resources, what would it look like, and what impact would you hope to achieve?
I believe that the main resource CAnD3 provides is its community of academic and non-academic scholars and professionals, whose diverse knowledge I wish to benefit from. Their insights will enhance the innovative nature of my research, particularly in data analysis techniques and visualization methods.
Share a recent publication, presentation, or project you're proud of. What was the most exciting or challenging aspect of this work?
A recent publication I'm proud of is an issue brief for the Vanier Institute titled 鈥淔amily Change and Diversity in Canada.鈥� This project was particularly exciting as it challenged me to examine a research question from multiple angles. The most rewarding aspect of this work was combining information from various sources, each revealing a new angle.
Finally, we'd love to see you in action! Outside the world of research and data, what hobby or interest do you have that might surprise people?
I enjoy playing chess in my spare time. I find the game intellectually stimulating, allowing me to take a break from my academic work.
Thank you both for sharing your inspiring stories!
