2022-2023 Harvard/University of Global Health Equity

Mathematical Modeling for Infectious Disease Planning

Training Application form

Name: NIYONGABO Félix

Name of your co-applicant (recommended, but not required):

Email: [email protected]
Phone number: +25779565020
Job title/position: Consultant/Auditor of the quality of health services in the framework of the Kira Health
System Support Project financed by the World Bank (DON IDA D1660-BI
Organization: Ministry of Public Health and Aids Control

Gender: (X ) M ( )F ( ) Non-binary ( ) Prefer not to specify

Highest education level: ( ) Bachelors (X ) Masters ( ) Doctorate ( ) Other:
Primary city and country of residence:

Do you have experience in infectious disease program implementation or research?

( X) Yes ( ) No

Background information (Please note these are not requirements for your applications to be considered.
Providing the following details will help us gauge the needs of applicants.)

Do you have any publications?

(X) Yes ( ) No

If yes, please provide the citations to your publications below:

i) https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268820002770
ii) ……………………………………………………
iii) ………………………………………………………

What is your level of proficiency with Excel spreadsheets?

( ) Beginner ( ) Intermediate ( X) Advanced ( ) Expert

Have you taken a calculus course? (X) Yes ( ) No

Have you taken linear algebra courses? (X ) Yes ( ) No

All participants will be expected to have access to a working laptop. Can you confirm?
(X ) I have access to a working laptop
( ) I can get access to a working laptop by November 2022
Requirements for selection: Please attest to the following.
1. I understand that if I am selected for the training, I must attend three in-person training sessions.

(X ) Yes Applicant’s signature:

2. I understand that if I am selected, I will be expected to dedicate a couple of hours a week to my project with a
team member during the practicum session.

(X ) Yes Applicant’s signature:

3. I have permission from my supervisor to participate in this training and will submit a letter of support along
with the application materials.

( X) Yes Applicant’s signature:

4. Indicate your preferred disease area and topic(s) among the following by checking with “X”, the cell that best
suits your research interest. (Please select a maximum of two cells.)
Disease area Vaccinations Nonpharmaceutical Testing and Other
interventions surveillance
COVID-19

Measles

Rubella

Influenza

Malaria

Yellow fever

Ebola

Dengue

Tuberculosis

STDs

Maternal
neonatal and
child health

5. Describe your research interest in relation to your chosen topic, elaborating on specific experiences that make
the topic the best fit for you. (Maximum of 200 words)

“ The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, considered as the worst global public health event in
nearly a century, has severely affected more than 200 countries and regions around the world. To effectively
prevent and control the epidemic, researchers have widely employed dynamic models to predict and simulate the
epidemic's development, understand the spread rule, evaluate the effects of intervention measures, inform
vaccination strategies, and assist in the formulation of prevention and control measures but as the COVID-19
epidemic remains uncertain and poses a major challenge to humans, researchers still need dynamic models as the
main tool to predict dynamics, evaluate intervention effects, and provide scientific evidence for the development
of prevention and control strategies » .
6. What role will the skills you obtain from this training play in your work? (Maximum of 100 words)

➢ Transmit the knowledge acquired during the training:

As a teacher in the various universities of Bujumbura the knowledge acquired will also be transmitted to my
students.

➢ Plead:

As a member of the Public Health Design and Consultancy Office (BECOSAP), the new knowledge acquired
during the training will allow me to refine my research on how to predict dynamics, evaluate intervention
effects, and provide scientific evidence on Infectious diseases to influence decision-makers and thus update
strategies

7. Briefly describe your research experience. (Maximum of 100 words)

First as a lecturer: I direct end-of-studies research work for students, I design and conduct studies on behalf of the
Lumière University of Bujumbura.

Then As an independent researcher member of a Research Office I also conduct research studies following calls for
local research project proposals, I am also already co-author of a scientific publication in an international peer-reviewed
journal and I hold a certificate of completion on scientific publication courses awarded by "international development
organisation based in the UK"

8. Do you perceive any hindrances to your participation and completion of this training? Non
 UNIVERSITE LUMIERE DE BUJUMBURA

CABINET DU RECTEUR

Bujumbura, Le 01 Novembre 2022

Reference Letter

I am pleased to recommend NIYONGABO Félix, a medical doctor with a master of science in

Epidemiologist for the training on mathematical modeling of infectious diseases organised by
Harvard and UGHE.
Dr Niyongabo is a lecturer at Universite Lumiere de Bujumbura since 2017 where he teaches
epidemiology and biostatistics. He has interest in diseases modelling to study the behavior of
infectious diseases as well as predict epidemics. He is also interested in vaccine modelling.
The applicant is very applied, committed to learning. He is a junior researcher with ambitions
to publish, hence this course should propel this earnest pursuit of science.
I recommend his candidacy with confidence; trustworthily. Do not hesitate to contact me
should you have any follow up questions.
Thus, I am convinced that the skills he will have acquired after the training will be beneficial
for our university in particular and Burundian population in general.

Le Recteur

Dr Yves NDAYIKUNDA

Po. Bo x : 1368 – Tél. (+257) 22 23 55 49 Fax : (257) 22 25 90 01 Bujumbura-Burundi Web site : www.ulbu.bi
 DR FELIX NIYONGABO, MD, MSC
Correspondence:
[email protected]
Tel. +257 79 565020

Summary
Felix NIYONGABO is a Medical Doctor. He possesses a Master in public health. (Specialization:
Epidemiology) obtained from the National institute of public Health Bujumbura. Contractual consultant -
auditor of the quality of health services in the framework of support to the health system-Kira financed by the
World Bank.
He is a public health professional with 5 years of experience in the field of sexual and reproductive
health, 3 years of experience in the implementation of performance based financing, Lecturer of
Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Research Methods at Lumiere University.
Computer skills:
1. Document preparation: MS Word, PowerPoint
2. Database design: Epi-Info, and Excel
3. Statistical analyses: Excel, STATA, R, SPSS
Personal attributes: Teamwork, priority setting, sensitive to deadlines, accountability for work products,
creativity and innovation, smart thinking, skills and experience sharing.

Education
Degree MSc Public Health (epidemiology)
University National Institute of public health (Burundi)
Thesis: factors associated with correct immunization in children aged 24-48 months hospitalized in national
hospitals in Bujumbura
Degree Medical Doctor
University University of Burundi (Bujumbura, Burundi)
Thesis: Contribution of abdominal-pelvic echography in non-traumatic emergency surgery at CHUK

Peer reviewed Publications

Journal Manuscript
Cambridge University Understanding the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital-based
Press: Journal of mortality in Burundi: a cross sectional study comparing two time periods DOI:
Epidemiology and Infection https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268820002770
Consultancy works
Institution Assignment
Health System Support - Verify the veracity of the quantitative monthly services reported by
Project - Kira financed by health facilities ;
the World Bank (DON - Evaluate the technical quality of health centres each quarter;
IDA-D1660-BI) - Participate in the peer review of the technical quality of the Hospitals;
- Plan Heath facilities quantitative verification activities monthly;
- Plan facilities technical quality assessment activities on a quarterly basis;
 - Participate in the training of investigators on the indicators to be audited
and on the verification methodology in the community
Contact person : CIBITOKE Provincial Health Services Verification and
Validation Committee Coordinator Mail:[email protected]
Tel: 69701457
World Health Organization To elaborate the National Strategy on Healthy Ageing within the framework
Regional Office for Africa of Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE). Specific responsibilities were:
- Collect information from stakeholders
- Review advanced documentary on healthy aging
- Present first draft of the Strategy to the Joint Committee (WHO and
Ministry of Public Health and the Fight against AIDS), as well as the
drafting of a final Strategy. Contact person: Dr Desire HABONIMANA
[email protected]

Professional experience
Current positions
INSTITUTION MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND AIDS CONTROL
Address Provincial Audit and Validation Committee, CIBITOKE Health Province
Position Consultant/Auditor of the quality of health services in the framework of the
Kira Health System Support Project financed by the World Bank (DON IDA-
D1660-BI).
Responsibilities - Verify the veracity of the quantitative monthly benefits reported by
health facilities;
- Evaluate the technical quality of health centres each quarter;
- Participate in the quality assessment of other district hospitals by
the peers
- Plan health facilities quantitative audit activities monthly;
- Plan health facilities technical quality assessment activities on a quarterly
basis;
- Participate in the training of investigators on the indicators to be audited
and on the verification methodology in the community
period November 2020- August 2021
INSTITUTION LUMIERE UNIVERSITY
Position Lecturer
Address Bujumbura; Burundi

Responsibilities - Lecturer of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Research Methods

- Supervise students’ dissertation works;

period 2017- 2021

INSTITUTION UNIVERSITY OF THE GREAT LAKES

Position Lecturer

Address Bujumbura; Burundi

Responsibilities - Lecturer of Research Methods

Supervise students’ dissertation works;
period 2017- 2021
Previous positions
INSTITUTION Prince Regent Charles Hospital
Position Attending physician in the department of gyno-obstetrics, paediatrics
and responsible for monitoring the quality of care within the framework
of performance-based funding
Address Bujumbura; Burundi
Responsibilities • Participate in the quality assessment of other district hospitals by
the peers
• Lead births
• Lead morning staffs
• Manage obstetric emergencies (C-sections, aspirations, …)
• Manage and monitor women and couples who want
family planning.
• Propose and practice modern contraceptive methods (tubal
ligatures; vasectomy) in consenting individuals
• Manage malnutrition in the Therapeutic Stabilization Service
Period 2016-2020
References
Yves Coppieters PhD Lecturer of epidemiology and biostatics/Universite libre de bruxellles ; Mail
[email protected]
Yves NDAYIKUNDA PhD : Rector of Lumière University/ Bujumbura -Burundi
[email protected] Tel : +25776999886
Dr. Oscar NIMPAYE: Director, Prince Regent Charles Hospital Tel: 71575061/ 68716505;
[email protected]
Mr Eléazar NTIGIRINZIGO CIBITOKE Provincial Health Services Verification and Validation Committee
Coordinator Mail:[email protected] Tel: 69701457

Félix NIYONGABO, MD, Msc