Melkamu Dagnew | Infectious Diseases | Editorial Board Member

Published on by Health Scientists

Mr. Melkamu Dagnew | Infectious Diseases | Editorial Board Member

Lecurer | Bahir Dar University| Ethiopia

Melkamu Andargie is a dedicated scholar in plant pathology and plant disease management whose work reflects a strong commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural systems and improving crop resilience through scientific innovation. With a research background rooted in rigorous academic training at Bahir Dar University, he has contributed to a diverse portfolio of studies spanning plant–microbe interactions, disease epidemiology, biocontrol strategies, and the broader ecological dimensions of agricultural health. His publications demonstrate a wide-ranging expertise, from exploring the ethnobiological importance of animals in traditional medicine to investigating physiological interventions such as gibberellic acid seed priming for enhancing germination and early growth under salinity stress. He has also collaborated extensively on multidisciplinary assessments of environmental contaminants, including heavy metal accumulation in aquatic ecosystems, reflecting his broader interest in agroecological safety and public health. In the field of crop protection, his reviews and field-based research provide critical insights into the occurrence, distribution, and management of major cereal diseases, particularly rice and finger millet pathologies that threaten food security in vulnerable regions. His recent work highlights the potential of microbial biocontrol agents in managing destructive fungal diseases, underscoring his commitment to eco-friendly, scalable solutions for smallholder farming communities. Through active collaboration with national and international researchers across plant sciences, crop protection, microbiology, and environmental studies, he has built a research profile that contributes meaningfully to global scientific discourse. His scholarship has gained steady recognition through citations and readership across respected journals, reflecting both academic impact and practical relevance. Overall, Melkamu Andargie’s research advances evidence-based, sustainable approaches to plant health, while supporting agricultural resilience, environmental stewardship, and improved livelihoods for farming communities. He has 114 citations from 8 documents with an h-index of 4.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus 

Publications

1. Kendie, F. A., Mekuriaw, S. A., & Dagnew, M. A. (2018). Ethnozoological study of traditional medicinal appreciation of animals and their products among the indigenous people of Metema Woreda, North-Western Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine.

2. Tsegay, B. A., & Andargie, M. (2018). Seed priming with Gibberellic Acid (GA₃) alleviates salinity induced inhibition of germination and seedling growth of Zea mays L. and Pisum sativum var. abyssinicum A. Braun. Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology.

3. Kindie, M., Andargie, M., Hilluf, W., & Amare, M. (2020). Assessment on level of selected heavy metals in Nile tilapia and Barbus fish species and water samples from the southern parts of Lake Tana, Ethiopia. Scientific African.

4. Andargie, M., Abera, M., Tesfaye, A., & Demis, E. (2024). Occurrence, distribution, and management experiences of rice (Oryza sativa L.) major diseases and pests in Ethiopia: A review. Cogent Food & Agriculture.

5. Andargie, M., Abera, M., Alemu, T., & Bekele, B. (2024). The potential of bacterial biocontrols in managing finger millet blast disease and promoting growth: A review. The Microbe.

Jack Ogony | Infectious Diseases | Outstanding Scientist Award

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Dr. Jack Ogony | Infectious Diseases | Outstanding Scientist Award

Research Associate | Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University | Kenya

Dr. Jack Ogony is a distinguished Research Associate at the Institute for Health Research, Epidemiological Surveillance and Trainings (IRESSEF), with over 13 years of extensive experience in public health research across Sub-Saharan Africa. He is currently completing his PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, having previously earned a Master’s in Epidemiology from the same institution, a Postgraduate Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation from the Kenya Institute of Management, and a BSc in Medical Laboratory Science from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. Dr. Ogony’s research primarily focuses on epidemiology, infectious diseases, climate change impacts on health systems, and vaccine and drug trial studies. He has contributed significantly to understanding the burden of Plasmodium falciparum and Dengue virus infections among under five in Western Kenya and the wider implications of climate change on African healthcare infrastructure. His work has been published in high-impact journals including Frontiers in Public Health, PLOS Global Public Health, and the East African Medical Journal, others, reflecting both the depth and breadth of his contributions. He has also served as Principal Investigator on multiple USAID-funded  under the Climate Adaptation Research Program (CARP). Recognized for his leadership and expertise, Dr. Ogony is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine. He has earned awards for scientific excellence and serves as a peer reviewer for multiple journals, contributing to the advancement of global health research and capacity building in and infectious disease control across Africa. He has 28 citations from 5 documents with an h-index of 2.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID

Publications

1. Ogony, J., Menya, D., Mangeni, J. N., Ayodo, G., & Karanja, S. M. (2025). Public health facility vulnerabilities, preparedness and health outcomes for P. falciparum and Dengue virus infected children under 5 years with acute febrile illnesses in Western Kenya. Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1526558.

2. Ogony, J., Mangeni, J., Ayodo, G., Amulen, E., Scopas, F., Juma, T., … & Hannah, C. (2025). The stifling burden of climate change on African public healthcare systems. Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1559737.

3. Ogony, J., Karanja, S., Menya, D., Mangeni, J., & Ayodo, G. (2024). Prevalence and risk factors of Plasmodium falciparum and Dengue virus infections among children below 5 years with acute febrile illnesses in Kisumu and Busia Counties. East African Medical Journal, 101(12).

4. Owusu Agyare, B., Eder, P., Shenai, S., Chendi, B. H., Carlson, C., Iradukunda, A., Mukoka, M., Ogony, J., Manigart, O., O., O., Ogbaini-Emovon, E., & Seida, A. A. (2024). Potential implications of the climate crisis on diagnostics. PLOS Global Public Health, 4(3), e0002935.

5. Ogony, J., Obiero, B., Tukhuwa, B., Gondwe, C., Kampeta, E., Orner, C., & Tiruneh, T. (2021). Research knowledge translation activities in Africa: An outlook of the opportunities and obstacles. International Journal of Scientific Advances, 2(5), 8.