John Tochukwu Nwangwu is a Nigerian-American public health doctor with expertise in infectious diseases and epidemiology. He is a consultant at the World Health Organization (WHO) and a professor at both Yale University and Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU).
- At Yale University, he serves as Clinical Professor of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology.
- At SCSU, he holds the position of Professor of Epidemiology and Global Health.
Early Life
- Born in 1952 in Umuahia, now part of Abia State, Nigeria.
- His father was a civil servant with the Public Works Department (PWD).
- His parents, Sidney and Phoebe Nwangwu, were from Ogidi and Umudioka in Anambra State, respectively.
- He is the third of six children.
- During the Biafra War, he joined the medical unit of Biafra's Army under the International Red Cross.
- After the war, he completed his secondary education and migrated to the United States.
Education
- M.D. – University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine (1979)
- M.P.H. – Loma Linda University Medical Center, School of Public Health (1982)
- Fellowship in Infectious Diseases – Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, NYC
- DrPH (Doctor of Public Health) – Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health (1988)
- Post-doctoral training – Erasmus University Medical School, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Career
World Health Organization (WHO)
- Provides global consultation in infectious diseases and epidemiology.
- Between March 2013 and July 2014, he worked in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia during the Ebola outbreak.
- Featured in:
- PBS NOVA documentary "Ebola: The Plague Fighters"
- Media interviews on Ebola and public health
Academic Roles
- Active in medical education since 1982.
- Held academic appointments at:
- Columbia University
- Yale University
- Harvard University
- Princeton University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) – Tenured in 1995
- University of Connecticut
Hospital Appointments
- Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, NYC – Director of the Tropical Disease Clinic
- VA Hospital, Rocky Hill, CT – Director of Infection Control and Epidemiology
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston – Faculty Visiting Scholar
Public Health Administration
- Served at Kern County Health Department, California as:
- Chief Epidemiologist
- Director of Epidemiology and Data Management
Professional Affiliations
Fellow of: - American College of Epidemiology - Royal Society of Medicine - American Board of Tropical Medicine - Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America - New York Academy of Sciences
Publications
- Early publications:
- Journal of Clinical Toxicology
- The Connecticut Review
Recent publications:
- Emerging Infectious Diseases
- Annals of Epidemiology
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
- Advances in Infectious Diseases
Editorial Roles:
- Serves on editorial boards of six journals
- Editor-in-Chief of Advances in Infectious Diseases
Personal Life
- Since 1997, he has led medical missions to Nigeria, delivering healthcare services to thousands.
- Serves on the Board of:
- MedSend
- Overseas Ministries Study Center
- FaithCare Inc.
- Kateri Medical Services Inc.
- Fanafi Worldwide
References
(To be added)