Peter Aka, PhD, MPH

Experience

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  Medical Research Council Laboratories (MRC-UK)

  Jul 2006 - Oct 2010

  Senior Scientific Officer and clinical Trials Support Pharmacist

  1. Led studies to understand the association between host genetic factors and hepatitis B related hepatocellular carcinoma in Gambia (20% of my time)2. Managed and provided leadership to the Molecular Diagnostics staff, including identifying staff learning and development needs and ensuring effective communication3. Built and maintained a core set of scientific capabilities and expertise within molecular diagnostics at the MRC for use by researchers4. Coordinated the provision of technical advice on setting up and trouble shooting of nucleic acid based processes and assays and protocols5. Coordinated the provision of technical advice on setting up and trouble shooting of assays, and protocols for use by researchers at the unit.6. Coordinated the laboratory training of staff for research projects to ensure that best practice standards are maintained across projects7. Developed standardized documented protocols for all assays used at the unit for the testing and quantification of malaria parasites, viral hepatitis, HIV including CD4 counts and viral load and biochemical analysis of nutritional status in children9. Provided troubleshooting advice for assays, including automated protocols as required. Show less

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  National Cancer Institute (NCI)

  Oct 2010 - Mar 2024

  Fellow

  1. Led the design and development of a large scale population study to measure association between malaria markers, immunology, and co-infection with Burkitt lymphoma in two case-control studies conducted in Ghana (1965-1994) and Malawi (2001-2005) testing the association of BL with stage specific malaria antigens, cytokines, and genotypes. Findings published in Blood, Hematological Oncology and Nature Scientific Reports.2. Led a study to retrospectively study the incidence of endemic Burkitt lymphoma in Northern Tanzania from 2000-2009. Findings published in Pediatric Blood and cancer 3. Led a study to determine genetic risk factors associated with chronic hepatitis C infection in women infected with HIV in the United States. Findings published in the Journal of Infectious diseases.4. Leading studies to investigate the association between selected host genetic factors (EGF Promoter Variant , ERCC1, ERCC2 and XRCC1) and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in The Gambia 5. Leading studies to investigate the association between multiple malaria antigens and endemic Burkitt lymphoma using malaria parasite whole proteome microarray approach. This approach aims at identifying a multiplexed antibody signature to Plasmodium falciparum parasite as a sensitive and specific biomarker for endemic Burkitt lymphoma.6. Leading a study to understand the epidemiology of hepatitis delta virus in Injection Drug Users from the San Francisco Bay Area (USA) and in Gambians with hepatocellular carcinoma7. Supporting analysis of a dataset to investigate the association between Interferon-induced protein (IP-10) and classical Kaposi sarcoma in Italy Show less

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  ICF Consulting/USAID projects

  May 2015 - Mar 2024

  Biomarker and laboratory Specialist and Lead Epidemiologist

  • Provide technical guidance to the DHS Program on the measurement of biomarkers in population based surveys and for the management of biomarker measurement in individual surveys together with the DHS team of biomarker and laboratory specialists. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: • Training of field staff on data collection tools, blood and other sample collection procedures; monitoring and evaluation of field work; preparation of manuals, SOPs and other training documents • Training of field staff on the use and application of rapid diagnostic tests and point-of-care devices for the measurement of anemia, HIV, malaria and preparation of blood films for malaria microscopy. • Conducting assessments of host country laboratories to determine the labs’ capacity to carry out biomarker testing for the DHS project • Training and supervision of in-country laboratories to conduct testing to support data collection in population-based surveys. Testing includes but is not limited to anemia, HIV, malaria, micronutrient deficiencies, syphilis and water quality. • Participating in other DHS project activities, e.g., assisting in developing questionnaires and modules, conducting further analysis studies, preparing/revising core manuals, preparing/reviewing biomarker sections of DHS reports, making presentations to USAID and other stakeholders Show less

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  ICF Consulting

  Mar 2024 - now

  Senior Epidemiologist Lead