UAB Sparkman Center for Global Health

Congratulations to our team on a new publication! "Implementation Research for Advancing Health Equity: Design and Competency-Based Assessment of a Short-Term Implementation Research Training Program Focused on Health Equity in Global Health," is now published in PLOS Global Public Health.

In this paper, authors Dr. Anna Helova, Dr. Kevin Owuor, Camryn Durham, Erin Tech, and Dr. Olakunle Alonge evaluate the 2024 Sparkman Center Summer Institute, which is a one-week intensive workshop at the UAB School of Public Health designed to train global health practitioners in implementation research, with a focus on health equity. The study draws on 28 participants from 12 countries, which found significant improvements in self assessed IR knowledge and confidence following the training. Participants reported high satisfaction and highlighted the value of hands-on application, mentorship, and peer learning. The authors also explore how IR can be used to address health inequities in global health settings, and how future training programs can build on these findings.

Read the full article at the link in our bio!

Due to a high number of applications, we will be closing the Graduate Student Assistant posting this Friday, May 22nd, 2026. If you are interested in applying, please submit your application on Handshake before the deadline. You can access the application using the following link: https://uab.joinhandshake.com/public/jobs/10976503?utm_source=web&utm_campaign=job_share&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_content=stu-copy_link-job_page

The Sparkman Center for Global Health is hiring! We are seeking a graduate level and above student with an interest in global/public health to support the Center's scientific proposal and research in global health. Link to access the application: https://uab.joinhandshake.com/public/jobs/10976503?utm_source=web&utm_campaign=job_share&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_content=stu-copy_link-job_page

Accepting applications until June 1st, 2026.

A big congratulations to the 2026 graduating class of the Sparkman Fellows Program! We are proud to have distinguished scholars representing the Sparkman Center, and are excited to see where your future takes you!🌟🌏

Thank you to everyone who joined our Sparkman Seminar Series! Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting Dr. George Ashu's seminar on "Humanitarian Health Research in Conflict-Affected Regions of Cameroon: mHealth, Refugee Health and HIV Treatment Amongst Internally Displaced People."

In his talk, Dr. Ashu presented on his three research projects in Cameroon, all of which highlighted approaches to improving healthcare access in conflict-affected regions. His research also showed the broader challenges conflict poses to health systems and that these challenges have specific needs requiring flexible approaches, rather than standard ones.
--
Dr. Ashu is a humanitarian physician and researcher from Cameroon. He has worked with the Cameroon Ministry of Public Health and Africa Humanitarian Action, where he has led medical teams to offer primary healthcare to refugees from the Central African Republic. He is also the founder of Eden Global Missions, a Cameroon-based, non-profit offering free life-saving primary care to thousands of Cameroonians, internally displaced people, and refugees.

His current research with the UAB Sparkman Center for Global Health is with Dr. Janet Turan, Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, and Dr. Tih Pius Muffih analyzing HIV treatment amongst people who have been displaced by conflict in Cameroon.

Applications for the 2026-27 Sparkman Fellows Program is open for 2 MORE DAYS!

Meet our Fellows Fridays feature for the week -- Srushti Talluri!

Srushti is a student majoring in Medical Humanities and pursuing a Master of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health Policy and Leadership through the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Program. She is passionate about advancing reproductive rights, equitable healthcare access, and addressing the social determinants of health. After graduating, she aspires to join medical school and become a physician working at the intersection of medicine, health policy, and grassroots initiatives developing targeted solutions to global health challenges.

Refer to the second slide to learn more about the Mentorship Program!
To access the application, head to the following link: https://www.uab.edu/sparkmancenter/students/education-experiential-programs/sparkman-fellows-program.

Applications are due Sunday, April 26th at 11:59 PM CDT.

Applications for the Sparkman Fellows Program close in 3 DAYS! Through the program, students gain access to global health opportunities including international internships, travel awards and funding, mentorship, and hands on experience in global health. Eshika and Sergio, alumni of the fellows program, completed an internship at the Buiga Sunrise Centre in Uganda, working alongside community partners on global health initiatives.

If you’re interested in global health and/or public health, this program is an opportunity to gain a meaningful experience and explore where this field can take you!

To access the application and for more details, use the following link: https://www.uab.edu/sparkmancenter/students/education-experiential-programs/sparkman-fellows-program

10 MORE DAYS until the application for the Sparkman Fellows 2026-27 cohort closes!

As a part of the Sparkman Fellows Alumni highlight series, Karim Mikhail was a Fellow in the 2023-2024 cohort. Swipe to learn about his experience, insights, and takeaways from the program. If you are curious and want to learn more, you can visit the Sparkman website to learn more about the program and access the application through the following link: https://www.uab.edu/sparkmancenter/students/education-experiential-programs/sparkman-fellows-program

The application will be open until Sunday, April 26th, 2026 at 11:59 PM CDT.

Questions or concerns? Contact us!

Join the Sparkman Center for our upcoming seminar! Next Monday, April 20th, Dr. George Ashu, Physician Scientist and INSIGHT D43 Global Health Fellow with the Sparkman Center, for his seminar, "Humanitarian Health Research in Conflict-Affected Regions of Cameroon: mHealth, Refugee health and HIV Treatment amongst Internally Displaced People." Lunch will be provided! To join us on Zoom, the link will be in bio soon!

Dr. George Ashu is a humanitarian physician and researcher from Cameroon. After obtaining an MD from the University of Yaoundé, Ashu obtained a Master's of Science in Global Health at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. He is currently pursuing his PhD at Queen Margaret University.

Dr. Ashu has worked with the Ministry of Public Health of Cameroon and Africa Humanitarian Action, leading medical teams to offer primary healthcare to refugees from the Central African Republic. He is also the founder of Eden Global Missions, a Cameroon based non-profit offering free life-saving primary care to thousands of Cameroonians, internally displaced people, and refugees.

Ashu has received international awards including the Mandela Washington Fellowship, two Commonwealth scholarships, and the NIH FIC INSIGHT grant. His current research with the Sparkman Center and Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services analyzes HIV treatment amongst people who have been displaced by conflict in Cameroon.

The mission of the Fogarty International Center (FIC) at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), under the Department of Health and Human Services, is to support training in and capacity building for biomedical research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In support of the mission, the Integrated Network of Scholars in Global Health Research Training (INSIGHT), sponsored by the FIC, provides early career U.S. and LMIC trainees (viz., medical/graduate students and recent post-doctorates) one-year mentored research training at established biomedical research universities in LMICs and with the trainee’s assigned U.S. institution.

Our Fellows Fridays feature for the week is Gayatri Kavumkal!

Gayatri is a third-year undergraduate student studying Cancer Biology and pursuing an MPH in Health Policy and Organization. Her global health passions include advancing cancer prevention in underserved areas through greater awareness, screenings, and other prevention initiatives, as well as exploring how environmental factors contribute to health outcomes. As a pre-medical student, Gayatri aspires to integrate public health and healthcare delivery in her future career through advocacy, a community-centered approach, and preventive practices.

The application is OPEN for the 2026-2027 Sparkman Fellows Program! Refer to the second slide to learn more about the Mentorship Program! To access the application, head to the link in our bio! Applications are due Sunday, April 26th at 11:59 PM CDT.