Banda Forum
Banda Forum hosts conversations on health, ideas, and public life, bringing together experts, scholars, practitioners, and emerging voices across its flagship series.
Episodes
Who Really Holds the Power in Global Health? | Prof. Lawrence Gostin
Who actually governs global health: WHO, powerful countries, donors, private industry, or law itself? Professor Lawrence O. Gostin, Founding Director of the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law and Distinguished University Professor at Georgetown University, joins The Scholars Table with Dr Banda for a conversation on law, power, and the next pandemic.One of the most influentia
The Next Pandemic Is Already Warning Us | Jennifer Nuzzo on Ebola, Hantavirus & Preparedness
In this episode of Global Health Uncensored, Dr. Banda Khalifa speaks with Professor Jennifer Nuzzo, Director of the Pandemic Center and Professor of Epidemiology at Brown University School of Public Health. Professor Nuzzo is a globally recognized leader in global health security, public health preparedness and response, and health systems resilience. Her work includes co-leading the Global Healt
WHO Africa's Emergency Director on Pandemics, AI & the Future of Health Security in Africa
What does it actually take to lead emergency response across an entire continent? Dr. Marie Roseline Belizaire, Emergency Director at WHO Africa, joins Dr. Banda Khalifa for an honest, no-headlines conversation about pandemic preparedness, AI, funding cuts, and the future of health security in Africa. From outbreak fieldwork in the DRC to regional emergency leadership at WHO AFRO, Dr. Belizaire ha
Dean Adnan Hyder on Public Health Leadership, Purpose, and the Future of Global Health
In this episode of The Scholars Table, Dr. Banda Khalifa sits down with Dean Adnan Hyder, Dean and Robert A. Knox Professor at Boston University School of Public Health, for a thoughtful conversation on public health leadership, global health, graduate education, and building a meaningful career with purpose.Dean Hyder reflects on his journey from medicine to public health, his training at Johns H
Africa Must Build, Not Beg
In conversation with Professor Christian Happi, the real subject is not recognition, but authorship: who gets to produce the knowledge, tools, and institutions that shape the future of health.
The best MPH in Africa?: Ensign University (Practicum, Scholarships, Career Paths)
Thinking about an MPH in Africa that meets global standards—without the confusion? In this episode of Ensign Scholars Table, we sit down with President Stephen Alder of Ensign Global University (Ghana) to unpack what makes Ensign’s Master of Public Health (MPH) stand out: a practice-first practicum, scholarship opportunities, and real career pathways across government, NGOs, global health organiza
Global Health Is About Power: Seye Abimbola on Knowledge, Voice & Who Gets Heard
Global health isn’t just technical, it’s political. In this episode of The Scholars Table, we sit with Seye Abimbola to unpack how knowledge, power, and voice shape what gets funded, published, and implemented in global health.We discuss:How power determines whose knowledge is seen as legitimateRepresentation vs real shifts in powerWhat early-career researchers misunderstand about publishing &
Professor Ana Navas-Acien: PhD Mentorship, Academic Leadership & Building an Impactful Research Career
Discover what it really takes to stand out in PhD applications, excel in doctoral interviews, and build a meaningful, long-term academic research career. In this episode, Professor Ana Navas-Acien shares practical, experience-driven insights on PhD selection, mentorship, academic leadership, and how to create impactful research that lasts beyond publications.Whether you’re preparing for a PhD inte
The Future of Epidemiology: AI, Public Health & Global Talent at Harvard
In this wide-ranging conversation, we sit down with Dr. Albert Hofman, Chair of the Department of Epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, to go beyond rankings, GPAs, and buzzwords.Dr. Hofman shares rare insight from decades of global academic leadership, covering PhD admissions, mentorship, funding cuts, and the future of epidemiology in an era shaped by AI, climate change, and
A New Dean at Johns Hopkins: A Vision That Will Shape Public Health’s Future
In this powerful and historic conversation, we sit down with Professor. Keshia M. Pollack Porter, the first Black Dean and only the second woman to lead the #1 school of public health in the USA, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in more than a century. This is the beginning of a new vision for public health, leadership, and the next generation of change-makers.The Dean opens up abo
What ‘Impact’ Actually Means in Global Health
What does it take to move from clinical work to shaping global policy? In this episode of Global Health Uncensored, we sit down with a leading health economist and former senior advisor to multilateral institutions who now leads global impact measurement at one of the world’s largest companies.She shares how her early medical training in Nigeria shaped her systems thinking, how she navigated caree
How to Build a Safer World: Lessons from a former US CDC Director
Former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden joins us to discuss what the world must do now to prevent the next pandemic. From lessons learned during COVID-19 to actionable steps for global health security, this conversation reveals what it takes to protect lives and strengthen health systems worldwide.#TomFrieden #GlobalHealth #PandemicPreparedness #BandaGlobalForum
How to Break Into Global Health in 2025 (Advice No One Told You)
What does it really take to succeed in global health? In this eye-opening episode of The Scholars Table, Dr. Ngozi shares the unfiltered truth about building a sustainable and impactful career in public health, beyond the classroom and credentials. From navigating career transitions and fieldwork challenges to thriving as a woman of color in high-stakes leadership roles, Dr. Ngozi unpacks the real
The State of Global Health: Power, Policy & What Comes Next
In this powerful episode of The Scholars Table, Dr. Banda Khalifa sits down with Prof. Madhukar Pai, the Inaugural Chair of the Department of Global and Public Health at McGill University and Canada Research Chair in Epidemiology & Global Health, for an unfiltered conversation on the state of global health today.Prof. Pai offers not just critique, but also clarity —a call to reimagine global h
How to Get Into LSHTM in the UK | Admissions & Funding Advice with Prof. Ahmed Rashid
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is consistently ranked among the world's top public health schools. But what makes its graduate programs unique, and what should applicants know before applying?In this episode of The Scholar’s Table, Dr. Banda Khalifa speaks with Professor Ahmed Rashid, Pro-Director of Education at LSHTM. Professor Rashid oversees the school’s Maste
Inside Canada’s Top Graduate School for Global Health | Dean Franco
Thinking about graduate school in public or global health? 🇨🇦Join Dr. Banda Khalifa on The Scholars Table as he interviews Prof. Eduardo Franco, Director and Associate Dean at McGill University—one of Canada’s top institutions for public health education and research.Whether you're considering applying to grad school or want to understand how Canada is leading global public health education, t
Inside WashU’s New Public Health School: Dean Sandro Galea on the Future of Health Education
In this inspiring episode, Dr. Banda Khalifa sits down with Professor Sandro Galea, one of the most influential voices in global public health, to explore the future of health education, equity in admissions, and the next frontier of innovation at Washington University’s new School of Public Health. About Our Guest:Professor Galea is the Margaret C. Ryan Dean of the School of Public Health at Wash
Dr. Chikwe & Vivianne Ihekweazu on Health Crises & Leadership
In this episode of Global Health Uncensored, we sit down with two extraordinary global health leaders: Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Assistant Director-General at the World Health Organization (WHO), and Mrs. Vivianne Ihekweazu, a renowned public health expert and communications professional. Together, they provide invaluable insights into pandemic preparedness, health system challenges, and the power of
The Future of Global Health: President & CEO of Vital Strategies
In this insightful episode of Global Health Uncensored, we are honored to welcome Dr. Mary-Ann Etiebet, the newly appointed President and CEO of Vital Strategies, one of the most influential public health organizations in the world. Dr. Etiebet is a recognized leader in global health, with a distinguished career dedicated to advancing women's health and promoting health equity on a global scale.
Can Africa Prevent the Next Pandemic? | Prof. Tulio de Oliveira, Scientist Who Discovered Omicron
In this insightful episode of the Banda Global Forum, we speak with Prof. Tulio de Oliveira, the internationally recognized scientist behind the groundbreaking discovery of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.Prof. de Oliveira serves as Director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch University, Director of the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (
Africa’s Vaccine Future: Dr. Ndembi on Vaccines, Leadership & Public Health Reform
Dr. Nicaise Ndembi, Deputy Director General and Inaugural Regional Director of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) Africa Regional Office (IARO), joins us for a powerful conversation on reshaping Africa’s vaccine future and strengthening its global health leadership.Previously a senior science advisor to the Africa CDC and a TIME 100 Health honoree, Dr. Ndembi now leads IVI’s mission to expa
U.S. Grad School Life | MPH/MBA and MBA Student Leaders at Johns Hopkins Share Lessons and
What does it take to thrive as an international student at one of the world’s top public health institutions?In this episode of Banda Global Forum, Dr. Banda Khalifa speaks with two dynamic student leaders from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Carey Business School:Ashok Kumar Kanaparthi, a physician from rural India and recent MPH/MBA graduate, who served as Student Assembl
Why Africa Is the Future of Genomics | TIME 100 Scientist Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong
Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong: Founder and CEO of Syndicate Bio and one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in Health, joins Dr. Banda Khalifa on Global Health Uncensored for a powerful conversation on the future of science, genomics, and equity.In this episode, we discuss1. The structural exclusion of African populations in global genomic research2. The vision behind Syndicate Bio and its roots in 54gene
Johns Hopkins MPH—Admissions, Funding, and Insider Tips
Episode 1: Johns Hopkins MPH—Admissions, Funding, and Insider TipsIn this inaugural episode of Banda Forum: The Scholars Table, Dr. Banda Khalifa sits down with the MPH Program Chair at Johns Hopkins University for a candid conversation about pursuing graduate studies at one of the world's leading public health institutions.We discuss:What sets Johns Hopkins MPH apart from other graduate progr
