Dr. Ednah n. Ototo - Geography and Environmental Health - Best Researcher Award

University of Waterloo - Canada

Author Profile

Early academic pursuits 🎓

Ednah n. Ototo embarked on her academic journey with a deep interest in parasitology, eventually earning a ph.d. in the field. she further expanded her expertise with certifications in implementation research for diseases of poverty and organizational development. her early academic training laid the foundation for a career that intersects health, climate change, and gender advocacy, aiming to uplift vulnerable communities. her commitment to research and learning has been the driving force behind her professional growth.

Professional endeavors 🏢

Ednah’s professional career spans over 12 years, during which she has worked with both local and international organizations. currently, she is serving as the women and water entrepreneurship network coordinator for the university of waterloo’s impower project. in this role, she focuses on co-creating a network that empowers women water vendors in kenya. she also holds the position of postdoctoral fellow at the same institution, where she designs and manages the women rise program, addressing the impact of covid-19 in kenya and uganda. her extensive experience in program management, proposal writing, and stakeholder engagement highlights her leadership in implementing meaningful interventions.

Contributions and research focus 🔬

Ednah’s research focuses on areas crucial to sustainable development and public health, such as climate change adaptation, food security, water and sanitation, and disaster risk reduction. her expertise in monitoring and evaluation has been instrumental in shaping programs that enhance the resilience of vulnerable populations. Geography and Environmental Health she is passionate about integrating gender advocacy into her work, ensuring that women play a central role in climate resilience and community health solutions.

Accolades and recognition 🏅

Ednah has earned recognition for her significant contributions to various interdisciplinary projects, funded by prominent donors like usaid, dfid, idrc, and nih. her Geography and Environmental Health leadership in securing funding for health and environmental interventions has helped improve the livelihoods of crisis-affected populations in kenya and beyond. her innovative approaches to health, gender, and climate change have garnered the respect of colleagues and international organizations alike.

Impact and influence 🌱

Through her work, ednah has had a profound impact on the health and well-being of vulnerable communities. her research and program management have led to practical solutions in water, sanitation, and food security, directly benefiting populations affected by climate change and disasters. her ability to bridge the gap Geography and Environmental Health between research and real-world applications has made her a key figure in community health and climate resilience efforts.

Legacy and future contributions 🔮

Ednah’s legacy is defined by her commitment to empowering women and vulnerable communities through education, entrepreneurship, and health initiatives. her ongoing work with the university of waterloo on the women and water entrepreneurship network reflects her vision of sustainable, women-led solutions in water resource management. as she continues to lead impactful projects, her future contributions are poised to shape more inclusive and resilient societies.

Notable Publications

Title: Surveillance of malaria vector population density and biting behaviour in western Kenya
Author: EN Ototo, JP Mbugi, CL Wanjala, G Zhou, AK Githeko
Journal: Malaria Journal, 2015
Title: Forecasting the potential effects of climate change on malaria in the Lake Victoria basin using regionalized climate projections
Author: EN Ototo, JO Ogutu, A Githeko, MY Said, L Kamau
Journal: Acta Parasitologica, 2022
Title: Surveillance of vector populations and malaria transmission during the 2009/10 El Niño event in the western Kenya highlands: opportunities for early detection of outbreaks
Author: EN Ototo, AK Githeko, CL Wanjala, TW Scott
Journal: Parasites & Vectors, 2011
Title: Evaluation of universal coverage of insecticide-treated nets in western Kenya: field surveys
Author: G Zhou, JS Li, EN Ototo, HE Atieli, AK Githeko, G Yan
Journal: Malaria Journal, 2014
Title: Age-specific Plasmodium parasite profile in pre and post ITN intervention period at a highland site in western Kenya
Author: EN Ototo, G Zhou, L Kamau, JP Mbugi, CL Wanjala
Journal: Malaria Journal, 2017

🌱 Early academic pursuits

Mehrzad Yadegari began his academic journey with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from tafresh university, iran, between 2015 and 2020. his curiosity and passion for environmental engineering led him to pursue an m.sc. in environmental engineering with a focus on water and wastewater at the islamic azad university, science and research branch, tehran, iran, where he graduated with a commendable gpa of 3.92/4 in 2023. his thesis, which explored the adsorption of arsenic from water resources using concrete waste, was guided by the expert supervision of homayon ahmad panahi and seyedeh hoda rahmati.

🚀 Professional endeavors

Mehrzad's professional journey has been both diverse and impactful. from september 2016 to december 2016, he served as a teacher assistant at tafresh university, where he taught courses like autocad 2d and ms office software. after completing his master's, he worked as a civil engineer at kayson company in parand-tehran, iran, from august 2021 to august 2022. in this role, he was a technical office expert, monitoring the construction of concrete frame residential buildings. currently, mehrzad is an official teacher of the ministry of education in tehran, iran, where he imparts essential knowledge about drinking water, health, and the environment to elementary school children.

🔬 Contributions and research focus

Mehrzad has made significant contributions to the field of environmental engineering, particularly in water and wastewater treatment. his research focuses on the removal of pollutants, especially heavy metals, from natural resources, enhancing drinking water quality, and developing new sustainable water treatment technologies. his work on the adsorption of arsenic using concrete waste is a testament to his innovative Water & Wastewater treatment approach. mehrzad's research extends to investigating the environmental fate of pollutants and exploring various environmental fields related to water and wastewater.

🏅 Accolades and recognition

Mehrzad's dedication to research has earned him recognition within academic circles. he was honored as a researcher in the young researchers & elites club of islamic azad university in 2023. additionally, he was recognized as one of the top 5 environmental engineering graduates, a Water & Wastewater treatment reflection of his outstanding academic performance and contributions to the field.

🌍 Impact and influence

Through his research and professional endeavors, mehrzad yadegari has made a significant impact on the field of environmental engineering. his work on arsenic adsorption from water using concrete waste not only contributes to improving water quality but also offers a sustainable Water & Wastewater treatment solution to a pressing environmental issue. as a teacher, mehrzad influences the next generation by imparting crucial knowledge about water, health, and the environment, ensuring a lasting impact on the community.

📚 Legacy and future contributions

Mehrzad’s legacy is rooted in his innovative research and commitment to environmental sustainability. his work in water and wastewater treatment continues to inspire new research directions. looking forward, mehrzad aims to further his contributions to the environmental engineering field, particularly in the development of new treatment technologies and sustainable methods for water purification. his commitment to education ensures that his knowledge and passion will be passed on to future generations.