Interviews with Outstanding Authors (2023)

Posted On 2023-10-07 11:36:55

In 2023, many JPHE authors make outstanding contributions to our journal. Their articles published with us have received very well feedback in the field and stimulate a lot of discussions and new insights among the peers.

Hereby, we would like to highlight some of our outstanding authors who have been making immense efforts in their research fields, with a brief interview of their unique perspective and insightful view as authors.


Outstanding Authors (2023)

Khaldoun Aldiabat, Cape Breton University, Canada

Lautaro Daniel Andrade, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Argentina

M. Anthony Cappello, Insight Exposure & Risk Sciences Group, USA

Priyanshi Shah, Smart(ER) Mobility, USA

Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki, University of Malaya, Malaysia

Patrick R. Relacion, University of Santo Tomas, the Philippines

Leonelo E. Bautista, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA

Temidayo Akinreni, Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Germany

Syed M. Shahid, Eastern Institute of Technology, New Zealand


Outstanding Author

Khaldoun Aldiabat

Dr. Khaldoun Aldiabat holds the position of Associate Professor in Community Health at the School of Nursing, Cape Breton University, Canada. Additionally, he serves as the Assistant Dean for Research & Scholarship. He earned his Doctorate in Nursing Philosophy from the University of Calgary, and he obtained his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Jordan University of Science and Technology. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved in teaching and supervising undergraduate and graduate nursing students in both Canada and overseas. His research interests encompass various areas, including smoking and addiction, family and mental health care, chronic diseases management and social determinants of health, immigrants' health, nursing education, and gerontology. He has an extensive publication record, with over 40 papers published in peer-reviewed journals. He also serves as the Associate Editor of the International Journal of Nursing Student Scholarship and contributes as a reviewer for more than 10 peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, he holds editorial board positions in two journals. Connect with Dr. Aldiabat on LinkedIn.

JPHE: From your point of view, why do we need academic writing? What is so important about it?

Dr. Aldiabat: The significance and necessity of academic writing should be introduced to all university and college students right from the beginning of their academic journey. It is evident that academic writing follows its own set of rules and structures, setting it apart from other forms of writing, all in service of its specific purposes: 1) Academic writing is considered one of the most critical means to translate and communicate new knowledge, discoveries, research results, theories, philosophies, insights, and scientific ideas in a structured and organized manner. It also serves as a means of recording and sharing well-documented and cited knowledge among scholars. It also enables researchers to build upon existing knowledge. 2) Learning academic writing skills enhances cognitive and critical thinking abilities through deep reflection and evaluation of literature. This process involves critical thinking skills, intellectual abilities, and problem-solving skills, enabling students to build on prior knowledge and bridge gaps in the literature. 3) Academic writing is essential for enhancing communication skills, as authors and researchers must convey their findings clearly, understandably, and comprehensively to their audience. 4) Academic writing serves as the language of science, subject to robust evaluation by peer reviewers to maintain high quality and uphold the integrity of human knowledge. 5) Academic writing promotes multidisciplinary language and communication, facilitating the documentation and sharing of knowledge produced by multidisciplinary teams of researchers. And, 6) academic writing provides a structured framework for conducting ethical research by adhering to the ethical principles of producing and disseminating knowledge.

JPHE: Science advances rapidly day by day. How do you ensure your writing is up-to-date and can give new insights to the field of research?

Dr. Aldiabat: We live in an era characterized by advanced technology, constant innovation, and a fast-paced way of life. I employ several strategies to ensure both my research writing and my teaching knowledge remain up-to-date: 1) I regularly review the literature in my research field, actively seeking out new publications and incorporating them into my work. 2) I volunteer as a reviewer for various peer-reviewed journals. This keeps me informed about the latest developments and ensures that I stay current in my research area. 3) Attending continuing education opportunities, such as workshops, conferences, graduate students’ thesis defenses, webinars, and scientific gatherings, either as an attendee or presenter, is crucial for staying updated. 4) Joining WhatsApp scientific research groups allows me to engage in discussions, exchange ideas, share knowledge, and stay informed. 5) Participating in virtual journal clubs lets me collaborate and discuss with experts in various fields. 6) To enhance the depth of my research, I actively seek opportunities to conduct research projects in new areas using innovative methodologies. 7) I value peer reviews and feedback from evaluators. Their constructive input not only updates my knowledge but also provides fresh insights into my research. 8) I stay attuned to news related to my field of practice, ensuring that I remain aware of community developments. 9) I encourage my students to refer to peer-reviewed journals and present articles published lately; this enables us both to gain access to the most current knowledge in our field.

JPHE: Speaking of Conflict of Interest (COI), is it important for authors to disclose it? To what extent would COI influence research?

Dr. Aldiabat: COI represents one of the most prominent ethical challenges that researchers worldwide encounter. As articulated by the Panel on Research Ethics (2018), these interests encompass a wide spectrum, including but not limited to business, commercial, or financial concerns related to the researcher, their institution, family members, friends, or prospective professional associates. Researchers bear the responsibility of acknowledging these interests and must take additional measures to either prevent them or disclose them when they are unavoidable. Failing to do so can have detrimental effects on research integrity and the protection of research participants, potentially leading to violations of research ethics principles. The disclosure of COI equips researchers with the ability to accurately identify study limitations, make appropriate recommendations, and guide decision-makers in making informed choices that take into consideration the presence of COI.

(by Masaki Lo, Brad Li)


Lautaro Daniel Andrade

Lautaro Daniel Andrade is a researcher at the Institute of High-Altitude Biology (INBIAL), Argentina. He works in the field of human population genetics focusing on childhood obesity with a doctoral fellowship of CONICET, the most prestigious research institute in Argentina. Currently, he is working on topics of human growth and nutritional status and developing new methodological approaches to the statistical analysis of data in biological anthropology, with special emphasis in epidemiology. Learn more about Lautaro on ResearchGate or connect with him on LinkedIn.

Speaking of the difficulties encountered in preparing a paper, Lautaro admits that the main complications are the great diversity of journal formats that complicate the unification of criteria, especially in the preparation of the methodology section.

Lautaro continues to share tips on selecting the appropriate evidence for synthesis and analysis. He says, “First, keep in mind that data age, and therefore, data collection itself requires a continuous research process that demands updating and a lot of discipline. Keeping in mind the type of data collected for future analysis is very important when working with primary data, since there is no way to go back if the decision of the type of data is wrong, choose well which data to collect because this will restrict in a certain way the type of analysis to be performed. Finally, when working with secondary databases, a correct evaluation of the quality of the information is imperative.

Data sharing is prevalent in scientific writing in recent years. In Lautaro’s opinion, primary data collected through particular institutional funding is the property of that institution and the researchers involved (considering ethical safeguards). This information can only be partially shared with those investigators who can give reliable evidence that the data will be used in accordance with ethical research standards in collaboration with the owning institution.

(by Masaki Lo, Brad Li)


M. Anthony Cappello

Dr. M. Anthony Cappello is a Principal Scientist & Epidemiologist at Insight Exposure & Risk Sciences Group in Boulder, Colorado, and a Senior Contributing Faculty Member at Walden University, USA. His past experience includes serving as the Director of Disease Control and Public Health Response for the State of Colorado and as Colorado’s State Environmental Epidemiologist. Prior to this, he was the Public Health Director for the Northeast Colorado Health Department, and in 2014, he was appointed by the Governor of Colorado to the State Board of Health where he served as Board President from 2015 to 2017. Dr. Cappello’s scientific and professional evaluations focus on identifying and quantifying human health risks related to communicable and chronic diseases and environmental and consumer product exposures. His work broadly involves applying epidemiological methods and analysis to inform evidence-based decision making, including using epidemiological surveillance, data analysis, and published literature to identify and assess human health risks and exposures. He has led various state and local public health risk assessments, conducted numerous outbreak investigations, and developed actions and strategies in response to, and in anticipation of novel public health concerns. Connect with Dr. Cappello on LinkedIn.

From Dr. Cappello’s viewpoint, key skill sets of an author include having the ability to generate new ideas and hypotheses, while also being nimble enough to contest general popular narratives that may not be adequately supported by scientific evidence. Also, the ability to adequately communicate research findings in a way that individuals outside of the scientific community can readily understand is an invaluable skill for an author.

Academic writing often involves evidence synthesis. As an epidemiologist, Dr. Cappello indicates that selecting the appropriate evidence for synthesis and analysis generally requires a weight-of-evidence approach, which assigns greater weight to higher quality studies and/or multiple lines of evidence that have been systematically reviewed and filtered, compared to weaker individual or clearly biased studies, which should be given less weight or excluded all together. Therefore, he believes that authors should bear in mind that not all scientific evidence is equal in quality, strength, or applicability. The results from any single observational study, no matter how compelling or how much it is covered in the news, are insufficient to demonstrate a causal association. The key to an evidence-based assessment is considering the strength and consistency of evidence across multiple high-quality studies performed over time and among diverse populations.

Dr. Cappello further points out the importance for research to apply for institutional review board (IRB) approval. When research involves human subjects, seeking for IRB approval will help ensure the protection of human participants from anticipated or unforeseen harms, while also building credibility and trust in the overall research results. If this process is omitted, the research will be considered unethical and/or illegal, and the results rendered invalid and uncredible.

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)


Priyanshi Shah

Priyanshi Shah has an educational background in public health and law. She developed an interest in policy during her studies and pursued a policy analyst position post-graduation. Her work is focused primarily on policy considerations for emerging transportation technologies, and looks at related concepts such as resiliency, equity, and sustainability. She hopes to continue to work in the transportation and infrastructure sectors with a special focus on emerging technologies.

Priyanshi points out that academic writing, on its very original ground, is thinking and is a necessary expression of thought that is a foundational skill for academics. She explains, “Academic writing takes this expression of thought a step further by questioning the world and articulating questions in an organized conversation for students and readers. Academic writing is necessary for the continuation to create critical thinkers and is essential to disciplinary learning. Further, academic writing helps students transit to professional work in their field of study. Without academic writing, students would not learn how to progress from learning to creating within their field.”

To stay up-to-date in one’s field, Priyanshi thinks it is important to read academic papers, attend events and webinars, and read news articles about a sector. Nowadays, there is an influx of information presented to individuals, and it is crucial to use multiple information streams to understand the developments and prevailing standards in a field.

Regarding the disclosure of conflicts of interest (COI), Priyanshi agrees that it should always be included with the manuscript submissions. COI ensures that professional judgement and research integrity are not influenced by financial or personal relationships. While it may not influence a work of research if researchers focus on scientific transparency, it can compromise the academic integrity of a paper and diminish the critical thinking that academic writing should provoke. For this reason, COI should always be included in a paper.

(by Masaki Lo, Brad Li)


Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki

Dr. Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki is an Associate Professor in Epidemiology at Universiti Malaya (UM) and a Public Health Medicine Specialist at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). Her academic background includes a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Universiti Malaya and an MBChB from the University of Liverpool. She also received training in evidence-based medicine, clinical epidemiology, mathematical modelling of infectious diseases, and implementation science. She serves as the Head of the Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice at UM, Chairman of the UMMC Tuberculosis Monitoring and Prevention Committee, Secretary of the UMMC Vaccine Action Committee, UMMC COVID-19 Taskforce Committee member and a member of the Malaysian Independent COVID-19 Vaccination Advisory Committee. Her research interests include epidemiology, implementation science, infectious diseases, and statistical methods. Her current research project focuses on the development of severe dengue prediction system among hospitalized dengue patients. Visit Dr. Zaki’s homepage for more information.

In Dr. Zaki’s opinion, through academic writing, researchers and academicians can communicate their findings, ideas, and knowledge to others. Academic writing creates a platform for the exchange of ideas and perspectives among academicians and researchers. By presenting their work in a structured and formalized manner, academics invite feedback, critique, and collaboration. This discourse enhances the robustness of research and encourages the development of innovative solutions to complex problems. Beyond the academic community, academic writing serves as a valuable resource for practitioners and policymakers. It offers a reliable and evidence-based foundation upon which decisions, policies, and practices can be formulated and refined. The knowledge conveyed through academic writing is often utilized to inform real-world applications and initiatives.

Bias in writing arises, according to Dr. Zaki, when the author possesses a particular viewpoint or inclination toward one aspect over another. These inclinations may stem from personal encounters, cultural backgrounds, beliefs, or values. She highlights that it is important to be aware of the potential biases so that one would not accidentally let them affect his/her writing. She explains, “When that happens, your writing may no longer be fair or accurate because it's been influenced by your personal opinions or beliefs. Bias can manifest as partial, one-sided, or prejudiced perspectives, leading to potential distortions in the presentation of information, analysis, or arguments. So, always be aware of how your language choices may affect how readers interpret what you’re saying.”

In addition, Dr. Zaki lays emphasis on the use of reporting guidelines, such as CONSORT and PRISMA, to prepare manuscripts for publication. To her, reporting guidelines provide a structured framework for authors to clearly and transparently describe the methods, results, and findings of their research. This makes it easier for readers and reviewers to understand and evaluate their studies. Reporting guidelines also help authors avoid selective reporting of results, which can further help avoid bias by ensuring that all the relevant information is included.

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)


Patrick R. Relacion

Patrick Reyes Relacion, RMT, is a biomedical scientist and a local board-certified medical technologist from the Philippines. He took his bachelor’s degree in medical technology at the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines, and did his research internship at the University of the Philippines – Manila, under the supervision of Dr. Francisco M. Heralde III, MBA, PhD. During his research internship, Patrick was able to work with molecular techniques, biochemical assays, and diagnostics – catalyzing his passion for research and public health. He has published several articles in reputable journals focusing on public health, molecular biology, and cancer diagnostics. Currently, he is working as a Science Research Analyst at the Ateneo Research Institute of Science and Engineering (ARISE), Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines. He works on the development of a differential point-of-care testing kit for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus detection. Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn.

Academic writing plays a vital role, according to Patrick, in the effective communication of scientific discoveries and reports. It aids in reinforcing scientific ideas, supporting one’s knowledge and concept, and providing an avenue for innovations and research opportunities. As a biomedical scientist, Patrick believes that there should be an emphasis on the “effective” academic writing as this ensures the reliability and accuracy of the scientific protocols and findings to be shared in the academic community. This is being done with the help of rigorous peer-review process, bias-free writing, and the assistance of language editing services/systems. While being grammatically correct and cohesively written scientific report can be considered as “effective,” one should also keep in mind the main essence of academic writing – to inspire others to do research and help them understand concepts in the most simple and concise way. To do that, Patrick recommends young researchers like himself to attend conferences and research fora, and to participate in doing publications.

Moreover, Patrick urges authors to disclose their Conflicts of Interest (COI) since it is one of the roots for potential biases commonly observed in research. To him, non-disclosure of COI can influence research by affecting the professional objectivity of the study – posing problems in the accuracy of the data, participants’ information, and could lead to the overall loss of scientific integrity. Furthermore, disclosure of COI is an opportunity for the authors to be transparent to and accountable for any decisions or actions made during the course of the study that could lead to the aforementioned consequences. He further points out that one should not be afraid to declare these as there will be proper evaluation of the presented case, and a panel of experts will deliberate the extent of the disclosed information in accordance with the standard ethical guidelines.

The way Patrick sees it, “Science for all” is one of the ultimate goals of the scientific community – to have a proper discourse in some of the novel scientific innovations, discussion of any research mishaps and mistakes, standardization of a specific scientific protocol or assay, and to make these scientific discoveries available for everyone. He admits that this is not easy given the status quo in research publications and the conduct of research communication. However, he believes we should all aspire to become the advocates of this wonderful movement, especially now where people are more vulnerable to misinformation and biased academic writing.

Scientific communication, through publication, is a very delicate process. To successfully transcend research findings into writing, brevity and substance must be considered. A young scientist like me is encouraged to read papers related to the study and find patterns in their construction. Having a very concise yet easy to understand material will increase the scientific value of a publication. Before writing your own paper, one should also consider the guidelines and standard protocols for publication as this will guide you throughout the writing process. A set of editors and reviewers will critique your paper and one should be able to defend and answer any inquiries or clarifications eloquently. If you cannot properly answer a specific item, I encourage everyone to look for other resources and always support any claims or response with a substantial and reliable scientific evidence. Lastly, always keep in mind to find inspirations and passion when writing articles or reports. It is not a sin to have fun and enjoy the art of scientific writing. Take every opportunity to learn and expand your writing skills – a great avenue for us to share our talents and research endeavors to the academic community,” says Patrick.

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)


Leonelo E. Bautista

Dr. Leonelo E. Bautista is a physician epidemiologist and Associate Professor at the Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison. He maintains a strong and productive collaboration with investigators worldwide. His research focuses on the epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases, specifically exploring risk factors for hypertension. He is the Principal Investigator for the consortium of Latin American Studies of Obesity (LASO) and previously held the same role for INTERHEART in Colombia. In recent years, Dr. Bautista has devoted time to global health issues, such as Zika virus infection and COVID-19. His current research focuses on the reliable measurement of psychosocial stress and its impact on the development of hypertension and metabolic syndrome. In addition to his research endeavors, he teaches both intermediate and advanced courses in epidemiology methods at UW-Madison. Recently, he initiated a Discord service aimed at fostering discussions on research methods, specifically tailored for epidemiologists in Latin America (more info here).

JPHE: What role does academic writing play in science?

Dr. Bautista: Academic writing is an integral part of the scientific process, serving as the primary means through which researchers communicate their findings to the broader scientific community. It plays a pivotal role in reducing collective ignorance and advancing our understanding of the world. By ensuring the dissemination of high-quality and relevant research, academic writing fosters collaboration among researchers. Through the facilitation of rigorous peer review and the independent replication of study findings, academic writing contributes significantly to improving the quality and validity of research. Additionally, it serves as an invaluable educational tool for the new generations of scientists, providing examples of proper research methods and scientific reasoning. Furthermore, academic writing enables the formulation of policies and professional practices aimed at enhancing the well-being of humanity. It influences decision-making processes and contributes to the development of strategies that address global challenges. In essence, academic writing is a cornerstone of scientific progress, fostering knowledge exchange, collaboration, and the betterment of our collective understanding.

JPHE: How to ensure one’s writing is critical?

Dr. Bautista: Write about topics that hold significance, contribute to a better understanding of the world, and enrich our lives. Ensure that your ideas are conveyed clearly and comprehensibly. Use precise and unambiguous language, avoiding the complexity of methods or data to obscure potential weaknesses in your findings. If you cannot explain it clearly, chances are you do not understand it. Acknowledge and address any potential biases in your work. Clearly explain the steps you took, or could have taken, to prevent or mitigate biases. Be explicit about your assumptions, and critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your findings. After completing your writing, set it aside for one or two weeks before revisiting it. This interval allows you to approach your work with fresh eyes, revealing any lack of clarity, gaps, or weaknesses in your arguments. Address these issues before considering publication to ensure the highest quality in your academic writing.

JPHE: Academic writing takes a lot of time and effort. What motivates you to do so?

Dr. Bautista: My primary drivers include a commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering the education of future generations. While career advancement is also a factor, I embrace writing as a valuable challenge. It compels me to sharpen my arguments, structure my thoughts, and express them with clarity and persuasiveness. Additionally, the fulfilment derived from finishing a manuscript, book, report, or chapter provides a profound sense of personal satisfaction and accomplishment.

(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)


Temidayo Akinreni

Temidayo Akinreni is a practitioner in Global Health and Design research. He has a rich blend of educational background in research and program intervention. His academic background includes a Master’s degree in International Health from Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Germany, and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Osun State University, Nigeria. Over the years, he has supported an iterative human-centered approach in the development and delivery of quality national projects such as the COVID-19 Practice Management System and Smiles for Mothers in Nigeria, leveraging mixed-method research and technology tools while prioritizing context-specific solutions. He is also a certified ATLAS.ti Professional Trainer in qualitative analysis. His research interests include Human-Centred Design, Epidemiology, and Adolescent Health. Connect with Dr. Akinreni on LinkedIn and Google Scholar.

In Dr. Akinreni’s view, a good academic paper requires careful attention to pertinent elements to effectively convey information, support arguments, and meet scholarly standards. First, it is imperative for an academic paper to have a clear and concise title so that just by reading the title, the readers will be curious to delve into what the paper is about or what information or findings it conveys. Another strong element of a good academic paper is the rigor of the methodology section. It is important for authors to explain the method, including choice of design used in the paper, theoretical framework (if any), data collection process, and analysis in a clear, concise flow. This section should be detailed enough for others to replicate the study and should justify the chosen methods. Therefore, authors should invest enough time and planning into the methodology. Additionally, the discussion section of an academic paper is another strong element of an academic paper. The discussion should interpret significant results of the paper and their implications. Also, the discussion should be able to compare the findings with existing literature, explain any discrepancies, address limitations as well as suggest areas for future research. Overall, a good academic paper should follow standard guidelines available for qualitative studies, quantitative studies as well as reviews. This will not only create uniformity in the paper but also enhance the quality of the paper.

On the other hand, a good author, according to Dr. Akinreni, should be able to articulately dissect important findings from a research, bridge existing knowledge, and identify a novel area for research. Also, a good author should be able to research extensively beyond their research of interest or niche. Sometimes, this helps to further improve knowledge sharing as well as leveraging existing practices or methods from other areas. Collaboration is another key quality of a good author. It is important for authors to explore conferences and other pertinent events and not just confine themselves to white paper publications.

I chose the JPHE because it is one of the leading journals in Emergency and Public Health research with a strong reputation for publishing high-quality research. The scope of JPHE aligned seamlessly with the paper, providing a dedicated platform for disseminating findings in Emergency and Public Health. By choosing JPHE, I was confident that my work would reach a specialized audience actively engaged and interested in the emergency challenges and advancements within these domains,” says Dr. Akinreni.

(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)


Syed M. Shahid

Dr. Syed M. Shahid has obtained a PhD in Medical Biochemistry and is currently working at School of Health & Sport Science, Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), Auckland Campus, New Zealand. He has also been working as a Postdoc Researcher at Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, the University of Auckland and has more than 15 years of medical and health science teaching and research experience. Dr. Shahid has published more than 58 research articles in the field of health and disease in journals of international repute, as well as 3 edited books and 2 book chapters. He has presented his research work at more than 65 international conferences, symposia and seminars. In the field of medical and health sciences, Dr. Shahid has supervised five PhDs and several master’s & postgraduate students. His current research has been focused on the risk assessment for the development of chronic diseases in ethnic communities, such as diabetes mellitus type 2. He has been working in the fields of medical biochemistry, medical genetics, nutrition for health, and molecular biology of chronic diseases in specific ethnic communities and populations. Connect with Dr. Shahid through the following platforms: LinkedIn, ORCID and Publons.

Dr. Shahid believes that the advancement of science, the validation of research, and the progression of knowledge are all based on academic writing, which is thus an essential and unavoidable skill for all scientists and researchers at all levels. Academic writing encourages and improves the critical thinking and evaluation of scientific and research literature. It also facilitates the dissemination of scientific knowledge beyond the scientific and research community. Academic writing adheres to rigorous standards of clarity, precision, and objectivity, ensuring that scientific and evidence-based research is reproducible and verifiable. It also allows scientists to build upon existing knowledge, challenge established paradigms, and propose novel hypotheses, driving the continuous evolution of scientific understanding and innovation. In essence, academic writing is essential for the growth and development of science and research, especially for the generations to come.

In Dr. Shahid’s opinion, critical writing should be based on and assured by assuming the questions, thorough understanding of the research, evaluating the sources of information, providing authentic and credible evidence, addressing counterarguments, employing logical reasoning, engaging in the opposite and variable viewpoints with clarity and coherence as well as seeking feedback and feedforward for the improvement.

As the academic and researcher in the field of medical and health sciences for the past more than 20 years, my primary motivation for academic writing and review stems from a passion for communication and dissemination of scientific information to the wider research community and beyond. My driving force is basically a curiosity to explore and understand complex topics, and academic writing serves to contribute to the collective knowledge of this particular scientific and research discipline. Additionally, the pursuit of intellectual growth and the desire to make a meaningful impact on community and population has been the strong motivating factors,” says Dr. Shahid.

(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)