Dr Janvier Gasana, MD, MPH, PhD, Chair&Assc. Prof
Affiliation: Kuwait University, Medical College of Wisconsin, &OSHAfrica
Industry Expertise and Experience:
Prof Gasana holds an MD (Medical Doctorate) degree from the National University of Rwanda, and both Master and PhD degrees in environmental and occupational health (EOH) sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health.
He is the inauguralchair of the Department of EOH of Kuwait University Faculty of Public Health since January of 2016. Previous faculty positions were held for 4 years at National University of Rwanda Faculty of Medicine University Center for Public Health and for 20 years at Florida International UniversityStempelSchool of Public Health School of Public Health & Social Work (named after his late colleague, Bob Stempel).
Indeed, he is now one of the leading faculty members who are developing onsite and online academic programs (BSc, MPH, Graduate Certificates, Post-graduate Diplomas, and PhD) in the new school of public health and the new department of environmental and occupational health at Kuwait University using the expertise he acquired over the years. For the online teaching of courses, they use Microsoft Teams (for the synchronous part) and Moodle integrated into MS Teams (for the asynchronous part). As a capacity builder, he was indeed the founding faculty member of the EOH Department of the Robert StempelSchool of Public Health at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami where he was a professor for 20 years. For ten years, he singlehandedly took care and taught all the courses (alternating onsite and onlineteachingusing mostly Blackboard) of the concentration of EOH sciences in the then FIU Department of Public Health which evolved into the School. The next goal is to establish an online CEPH-accredited global School of Public Health (CEPH = Council of Education for Public Health)within a South Florida-based prevention center that will focus on Environmental & Occupational Medicine, Occupational Health Nursing, Industrial Hygiene & Safety, reaching out to US inner city areas, Caribbean region, Africa and beyond.He is also an online professor and course director at Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA for the last 6 years where he uses Brightspace, one of the best online LMS (Learning Management System) software for online teaching and learning that was created by D2L (formerly Desire2Learn).
Research interests focus on the role of environmental and occupational exposures to soil-, water / sanitation / hygiene-, air-, and food-borne contaminants; infections; allergens; injury; stress; gene-environment; climate change; and immune system on ill-health and prevention/control of these exposures for holistic health.
His line of research produced a number of publications on the impact of environmental and occupational toxic metal and other contaminants on the health of children [Lead Poisoning, Triggers of Asthma, Air pollution,Low Birth Weight/Placental Abruption, and NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases) and Environmental and Occupational Exposures, and COVID-19].
He is a Consulting Expert in Health, Safety, & Environment for The World Bank and British Department For International Development, and Occupational Health, Safety, & Environment for USAID.
He serves as member and Chair of the Research, Publication and Data Committtee of OSHAfrica. Occupational Safety and Health Foundation with the trademark OSHAfrica(www.oshafrica.africa) is a Pan-African Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) organization legally registered in 2017 with the principal aim of bringing together OSH professionals across Africa and beyond, creating an atmosphere for collaborative work, sharing of knowledge and OSH data across different countries and sub-regions of Africa. OSHAfrica aspires to be the African information agency on OSH.
Janvier Gasana, MD, MPH, PhD - 46 Selected Publications (out of 150+ Papers, Invitations, Conference Presentations and Proceedings) + 1 Textbook (#47)
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1/ Gasana, J., Twagilimana, L., Hallenbeck, W. and Brenniman, G. Industrial Discharges of Metals in Kigali, Rwanda, and the Impact on Drinking Water Quality. Bull. of Envir. Contamin. and ToxicoL1997 Apr; 58 (4): 523-6 PMID9060368 |
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2/ Gasana, J. and Chamorro, A. Environmental Lead Contamination in Miami Metropolitan Area, Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology 2002 Jul; 12 (4): 265-72 PMID12087433.
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3/ Gasana, J., Morin, J., Ndikuyeze, A., Kamoso, P. Impact of Water Supply and Sanitation on Diarrheal Morbidity Among Children in the Socioeconomic Context of Rwanda (Africa) Environ Res 2002 Oct; 90 (2): 76-88 PMID12483797. |
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4/ Gasana, J., Hlaing, W., Siegel, K., Chamorro, A., Niyonsenga, T. Blood Lead Levels in Children and Environmental Lead Contamination in Miami Inner City, FL. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2006 Sep; 3(3):228-34 PMID16968968.
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5/ Mendy A., Gasana J., Vieira E J., Forno E., Patel J., Kadam P., Ramirez G. Endotoxin exposure and childhood wheeze and asthma: a meta-analysis of observational studies. J Asthma 2011 Sep; 48(7): 685-93 PMID: 21732750.
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6/ Mendy A., Gasana J., Vieira E. J. Urinary heavy metals and associated metal conditions in the US adult population. Int J Environ Health Res 2012; 22(2): 105-18 PMID 21854105.
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7/ Mendy A., Gasana J., E. Forno, E. Vieira, C. Dowdye. Work-related respiratory symptoms and lung function among soldiers in the electronics industry: A Meta-analysis. Environ Health and Prev Medicine 2012 May; 17(3): 183-190 PMID 21879344.
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8/ Gasana J., Dillikar D., Mendy A., Forno E., Vieira E. Motor vehicle air pollution and asthma in children: a meta-analysis. Environ Res 2012 Aug; 117: 36-45 PMID 22683007.
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9/ Mendy A., Gasana J., Vieira E. R. Low blood lead concentrations and thyroid function of American adults. Int J Environ Health Res, 2013 Dec; 23 (6): 461-73 PMID23323812 (#4 2nd co-author out of 12)
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10/ Page TF, Beck-Sague CM, Pinzon-Iregui MC, Cuddihy A, Tyler T, Forno E, Dean AG, Siven J, Pottinger S, Gasana J. Asthma in underserved schoolchildren in miami, Florida: results of a school- and community-based needs assessment. J Asthma. 2013 Jun; 50 (5) : 480-7 PMID 23544421.
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11/ Demirel N., Reiter J., Mendy A., Gasana J., Vieira E. R., Colin A., Quizon A., Forno E. Macrolides for the long-term management of asthma - a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Allergy 2013Aug; 68 (8):1040-9 PMID23895667
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12/ Elazab N., Mendy A., Gasana J., Vieira E. R., Quizon A., Colin A., Forno E. Probiotic administration in early life, atopy, and asthma – a meta-analysis of clinical trials. Pediatrics 2013 Sep; 132(3):e666-76 PMID23958764
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13/ Mendy A, Vieira ER,Albatineh AN, Nnadi AK, Gasana J. Response to Letter to the Editor: regarding "Copper deficiency and neuropathology related to the petrous bone". Ann Epidemiol 2014 Jun; 24(6):490-1 PMID 24731698.
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14/ Mendy A, Gasana J, Vieira ER, Diallo H. Prospective study of cytomegalovirus seropositivity and risk of mortality from diabetes. Acta Diabetol 2014 Mar 16: PMID 24633860.
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15/ Mendy A, Vieira ER, Albatineh AN, Nnadi AK, Lowry D, Gasana J. Low bone mineral density is associated with balance and hearing impairments. Ann Epidemiol 2014 Jan;24(1):58-62 PMID 24263001.
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16/ Mendy A, Vieira ER, Gasana J. Seropositivity to herpes simplex virus type 2, but not type 1 is associated with premature cardiovascular diseases: a population-based cross-sectional study. Atherosclerosis 2013 Nov;231(1):18-21 PMID 24125404.
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17/ Gasana, J. (2014) Water and Health. Air Water Borne Diseases 3: e129. doi:10.4172/2167-7719.1000e129 (Editorial).
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18/ Gasana, J. Asthma in Children. Oxford Bibliographies in Public Health. Editor-in-chief: David V. McQueen. New York: Oxford University Press, May 29, 2014. http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199756797/obo-9780199756797-0108.xml?rskey=auCmd9&result=13.
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19/ Ibrahimou B, Salihu HM, Gasana J, Owusu H (2014) Risk of Low Birth Weight and Very Low Birth Weight from Exposure to Particulate Matter (PM2.5)Speciation Metals during Pregnancy. GynecolObstet (Sunnyvale) 4: 244. DOI:10.4172/2161-0932.1000244.
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20/ Mendy A, Albatineh AN, Vieira ER, Gasana J. Higher specificity of tuberculin skin test compared with QuantiFERON-TB Gold for detection of exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Clin Infect Dis. 2014 Oct 15; 59 (8):1188-9. / DOI:10.1093/cid/ciu516. Epub 2014 Jul 4.
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21/ Mendy A, Vieira ER, Albatineh AN, Gasana J. Immediate rather delayed memory impairment in older adults with latent toxoplasmosis. Brain, Behavior and Immunity.2014 Dec 10. Pii:S0889-1591 (14) 00569-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2014.12.006.
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22/ Karina Villalba, Jennifer Attonito, Angelico Mendy,Jessy G. Devieux, Janvier Gasana, and Tevfik M. Dorak. A Meta-Analysis of the Associations between SLC6A4 Promoter Polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and Risk of Alcohol Dependence. Psychiatric Genetics. 2015. DOI 10.1097/YPG.0000000000000078
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23/ Vieira, E.R., Mendy, A., Prado, C.M., Gasana, J. &Albatineh, A.N. Falls, physical limitations, confusion and memory problems in people with type II diabetes, undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes, and the influence of vitamins A, D and E, Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications (2015), doi: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2015.08.005. |
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24/ Gasana, J., Gibson-Young, L., Boubakari, I., Weiss-Randall, D., Arrieta, A., Beck-Sague, C., Siven, J. and Torok, D. Asthma in Schoolchildren in the Florida Keys: School-based Needs Assessment. Journal of Asthma (2015 (#8 1st author out of 10)). DOI:10.3109/02770903.2015.1081939. |
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25/ Taffere, G. R., A. Beyene, S. A. H. Vuai, J. Gasana and Y. Seleshi (2016). "Reliability analysis of roof rainwater harvesting systems in a semi-arid region of sub-Saharan Africa: case study of Mekelle, Ethiopia." Hydrological Sciences Journal 61(6): 1135-1140. |
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26/ Taffere, G. R., A. Beyene, S. A. H. Vuai, J. Gasana and Y. Seleshi (2016). "Characterization of Atmospheric Bulk Deposition: Implications on the Quality of Rainwater Harvesting Systems in the Semi-Arid City of Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia." Environmental Processes 3(1): 247-261. |
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27 G.R. Taffere, A. Beyene, S.A.H. Vuai, J. Gasana, Y. Seleshi. Location and time-specific investigation of roof rainwater quality is important to safeguard public health. Desalin Water Treat. (2016, in press), doi:10.1080/19443994.2015. 1107757. |
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28/ G.R. Taffere, A. Beyene, S. Vuai, J. Gasana and Y. Seleshi "Dilemma of roof rainwater quality: applications of physical and organic treatment methods in a water scarce region of Mekelle, Ethiopia." Urban Water Journal. (2016, in press), doi:10.1080/1573062x.2016.1176225. |
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29/ Mendy A, Vieira ER, Albatineh AN, Gasana J. Staphylococcus aureus Colonization and Long-Term Risk for Death, United States.Emerg Infect Dis 2016 Nov; 22 (11):1966-1969 PMID: 27767920. |
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30/ Hashi, A., Kumie, A. and Gasana, J. (2016) Prevalence of Diarrhoea and Associated Factors among Under-Five Children in Jigjiga District, Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia. Open Journal of Preventive Medicine, 6, 233-246. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojpm.2016.610022 |
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31/ Ibrahimou B, Salihu HM, Albatineh NA, Gasana J.Ambient PM2.5 Aluminum and Elemental Carbon and Placental Abruption Morbidity, JOEM. (Manuscript #JOEM-16-5944R1) |
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32/ Hashi, A., Kumie, A. &Gasana, J. 2017. Hand washing with soap and WASH educational intervention reduces under-five childhood diarrhea incidence in JigjigaDistrict, Eastern Ethiopia: A community-based cluster randomized controlled trial. Preventive Medicine Reports, 6C, pp. 361-368. |
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33/ Mendy A, Forno E, Niyonsenga T, and Gasana J. 2017. Blood Biomarkers as Predictors of Long-Term Mortality in COPD. Clin Respir J 2018 May;12(5):1891-1899 PMID: 29227024 PMCID: PMC5991987. |
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34/ Beck-Sague MC, Arrieta A, Pinzon-Iregui MC, Ortiz B, Dean GA, Cuddihy A &Gasana J. 2017. Trends in Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Childhood Asthma in Miami, Florida: 2005-2013. Journal of Immigrant & Minority Health 2018 Dec;20(6):1429-1437 PMID: 29290019 01/01/2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-017-0686-1. |
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34/ Alemu MF, MPH; Kumie A, MD, PhD; Medhin G, PhD; Gasana J, MD, PhD. 2018. The role of psychological factors in predicting latrine ownership and consistent latrine use in rural Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health “PUBH-D-17-01645R1”. |
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36/ Mendy A, Forno E, Niyonsenga T, Carnahan RM, and Gasana J. May 2018. Prevalence and Features of Asthma-COPD Overlap in the U.S. 2007-2012. Clin Respir J 2018 Aug;12(8):2369-2377 PMID: 29873189 PMCID: PMC6287748 06/07/2018. |
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37/ Girma M, Gobena T, Medhin G, Gasana J, Roba KT. Determinants of childhood diarrhea in West Gojjam, Northwest Ethiopia: a case control study. Pan Afr Med J 2018;30:234 PMID: 30574253 PMCID: PMC6295292 12/24/2018. |
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38/ Al-Hemoud A, Gasana J, Al-Dabbous AN, Al-Shatti A, Al-Khayat A. Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) in Terms of Years of Life Lost (YLL) Due to Premature Adult Mortalities and Postneonatal Infant Mortalities Attributed to PM and PM Exposures in Kuwait. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018 11 21;15(11) PMID: 30469450 PMCID: PMC6265960 11/25/2018. |
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39/ Gasana J. Assessment of the Impact of Mining on the Environment and Health in DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo)Occup Environ Med 2018;75(Suppl 2):A1–A650. |
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39/ Girma M, Gobena T, Medhin G, Gasana J, Roba KT. Variations of Seasons on Childhood Diarrhea in West Gojjam, Northwest Ethiopia: A Longitudinal Study (Journal of Environment and Public Health. |
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40/ Ali Al-Hemoud, Janvier Gasana, Abdullah Al-Dabbous, Abdullah Alajeel, Ahmad Al-Shatti, WeamBehbehani, Mariam Malak. Exposure levels of air pollution (PM2.5) and associated health risk in Kuwait. Environmental Research 179 (2019) 108730. |
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41/ BarrakAlahmad, Ahmed F. Shakarchi, Haitham Khraishah, Mohammad Alseaidan,Janvier Gasana, Ali Al-Hemoud, Petros Koutrakis, Mary A. Fox. Extreme temperatures and mortality in Kuwait:Who is vulnerable? Science of the Total Environment 732 (2020) 139289 |
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42/ Gasana J, Shehab M. Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Handling Challenges in Kuwait. Sci Brief Report. Sci 2020, 2, 40; doi: 10.3390/2020040 (www.mdpi.com/journal/sci). |
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43/ Alahmad B, Kurdi H, Colonna K, Gasana, J& Fox MA. COVID-19 Stressors on Migrant Workers in Kuwait: Cumulative Risk Considerations. BMJ Global Health 2020;5:e002995. doi:10.1136/ bmjgh-2020-002995. 44/ H McCoy, H.V., Messiah, S.E., Yu, Z., McGeary, K.A., Gasana, J. “Perpetrators, Victims and Observers of Violence: Chronic and Non-Chronic Drug Users”. August 23, 2000. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 45/ Gragg, R., Gasana, J., Stephen Leong, & Ron Christalidi. Molecular Biomarkers as Measures of Environmental Justice: A New Proposed Health-Assessment Paradigm, Int'l J. of Public Administration, 25:281-303, 2002 (#6 2nd co-author out of 12) 46/ Textbook - Gasana, J. Essentials of Environmental Health Management, Aglob Publishing, Hallandale, FL, 2003. |