Professor Nsagha Dickson Shey is a visionary public health scientist, educator, and leader whose career has been dedicated to advancing health, equity, and research in Africa. Born in Cameroon, his early curiosity about disease patterns and community well-being grew into a lifelong commitment to epidemiology — the science of understanding and preventing disease.

Today, he is a Full Professor of Epidemiology and Vice-Dean for Programmes and Academic Affairs at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, where he has helped shape the academic and research landscape of public health in Cameroon and beyond. Under his leadership, the Faculty introduced the Master of Public Health (MPH) and PhD in Public Health programmes that have trained many of the country’s health leaders and researchers.

Professor Nsagha’s research spans infectious diseases of poverty—such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases—and their co-infections and comorbidities. He has conducted groundbreaking community-based studies and developed interventions that have improved child survival, reduced malaria morbidity, and strengthened HIV prevention. His early contributions also supported Cameroon’s national efforts toward the elimination of leprosy.

In recent years, he has been at the forefront of digital innovation for global health. He leads the Artificial Intelligence for Pandemic and Epidemic Preparedness (AI4PEP) project in Cameroon, funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in partnership with York University, Canada. The project applies Artificial Intelligence (AI) and One Health approaches to detect and respond to emerging infectious threats — a vision that reflects his deep belief in technology as a tool for social good.

Beyond research, Professor Nsagha has served as consultant and collaborator with WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNDP, and the African Synergy Against AIDS and Suffering, supporting evidence-based policies, health education, and community resilience. He has travelled, lectured, and presented across continents, sharing his insights on epidemic control, digital health, and public health leadership.