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About Evans Afriyie-Gyawu

Biography, Disciplines and Teaching Interests

Dr. Evans Afriyie-Gyawu is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences and Division Coordinator of Environmental Health Sciences, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University (GSU). He completed his Ordinary and Advanced Levels Secondary education at Kumasi Academy, Ashanti Region. Prof. Afriyie-Gyawu started his University education in Poland, and after two academic years, he moved to the United States where he completed his Undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science, Master of Public Health (Epidemiology and Biostatistics) and PhD in Toxicology at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

Dr. Afriyie-Gyawu has been able to combine his backgrounds in Public Health and Toxicology to conduct research activities including those that involved human and animal subjects. He has presented his research at various scientific conferences and meetings in many states in the U.S, Ghana, Bangkok (Thailand), and Istanbul (Turkey). In fact, activities from a couple of the conferences in Ghana were featured as Health News on Ghana News Agency and received coverage on the National Television Station (GTV) and some FM Radio stations. Overall, he has published and co-authored 21 peer-reviewed articles, three book chapters and over 60 abstracts and proceedings to major scientific conferences and meetings.

Dr. Afriyie-Gyawu’s current research involves a combination of his professional backgrounds in Toxicology and Public Health, which has led to multiple studies in the areas of Food Safety/Toxicology and Environmental/Occupational Health in Ghana and the U.S. His relevant research activities include the following:

1.    Toxicological and public health impacts associated with utilization of scrap automobile tires for meat singeing in Ghana and other African countries – with four (4) focus areas:
a.      Emission of pollutants through smoke from burning of scrap tires and other fuel sources for meat singeing purposes in Ghana
b.      Environmental/Occupational health studies (cross-sectional designs) involving assessments of respiratory function and selected biomarkers of exposure to chemicals via tire-derived smoke among meat singeing operators
c.       Assessment of potential chemical contamination in meat singed with scrap tires
d.      Development of effective, economically feasible, sustainable, and culturally appropriate intervention strategies to address the “scrap tire–meat singeing” practice in Ghana and other countries with similar concerns.
2.      Physiological levels of select serum micronutrients and their influence on cancer mortality
3.      Application of enterosorbents to reduce the toxicological and adverse health effects associated with exposure to aflatoxins via contaminated foods

Disciplines: Environmental Health Sciences
Teaching Interests: Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Health, Toxicology and Health, Principles of Environmental Health

Positions

2014 - Present Associate Professor, Georgia Southern University ‐ Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
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Present Associate Professor, Georgia Southern University ‐ Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences
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Present Fellow (2014-present), Georgia Southern University
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2008 - 2014 Assistant Professor, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Environmental Health Sciences, Georgia Southern University
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Curriculum Vitae

Disciplines

Research Interests

Grants

2019 - 2021 Savannah Port Air Quality (Friends of the Earth: Savannah Port Study - Air Quality Monitoring
Friends of the Earth
Role: Co-PI
Colleague(s): Atin Adhikari (PI)
$2,500
2019 - 2020 Food Waste Recycling and Education to Promote Sustainability at Georgia Southern University and the Community
Center for Sustainability, Georgia Southern University
Role: PI
Colleague(s): Padmini Shankar (PI) and Vinoth Sittaramane (PI)
$40,000
2017 - 2018 Reducing Food Waste as Part of Sustainability Efforts on Georgia Southern Campus
Center for Sustainability, Georgia Southern University
Role: PI
Colleague(s): Rebecca Larson (Co-PI) and Hani Samawi (Co-I)
$26,470
2017 - 2018 Toxicological and Health Impacts of Scrap Tire Burning for Singeing Meat in Ghana and Other Developing Countries
Faculty Research Committee (FRC), Georgia Southern University
Role: PI
Colleague(s): Kelly Sullivan (Co-I)
$9,997
2014 - 2017 CollaborativE Multidisciplinary Investigations Through Undergraduate Research Experiences (CEMITURE)
National Science Foundation
Role: Co-PI
Colleague(s): Karelle Aiken (PI)
$270,000
2013 Development of a Summer Course (Food Safety and Health)
Faculty Development Committee, Georgia Southern University
Colleague(s): Shankar, Padmini (Co-PI)
$3,000
2013 Travel Grant
Faculty Development Committee, Georgia Southern University
$1,478
2010 - 2012 Links between Aggressive Behavior and Heavy/Toxic Metals Contamination in the Savannah Area
Kellogg Foundation through, The Harambee House
Role: PI
Colleague(s): Din Chen (Co-PI)
$30,492
2011 Travel Grant
Faculty Development Committee, Georgia Southern University
$1,606
2008 - 2009 Statesboro Lead Hazard Reduction and Evaluation Study
Catalyst Grant via ORSSP, Georgia Southern University
Role: Co-PI
Colleague(s): Simone Melanie Charles
$10,053
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Professional Service and Affiliations

2017 - Present Division Coordinator, Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) Division, JPHCOPH, GSU
2017 - Present Chair, Faculty Award for Excellence Committee, JPHCOPH, GSU
2016 - Present Member, Faculty Awards for Excellence Committee, JPHCOPH, GSU
2015 - Present Member, Student Travel Grant Committee, JPHCOPH, GSU
2014 - Present Member, Promotion and Tenure Review Committee, JPHCOPH, GSU
2010 - Present Member, Prospective Students’ Application Review Committee, GSU
2019 - 2020 Member, JPHCOPH Dean Search Committee, JPHCOPH, GSU
2017 - 2018 Member, DrPH Online Leadership Program Committee, JPHCOPH, GSU
2015 - 2018 Senator, Faculty Senate, GSU
2015 - 2016 Member, Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Search Committee, GSU
2013 - 2015 Member, Ad Hoc Assessment Committee, JPHCOPH, GSU
2013 - 2014 Chair, Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Search Committee, GSU
2013 - 2014 Advisor, Public Health Students Association, JPHCOPH, GSU
2012 - 2013 President, Faculty Assembly – JPHCOPH, GSU
2011 - 2012 Member, Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Search Committee, GSU
2010 - 2012 Discipline Coordinator, Environmental Health Sciences, JPHCOPH, GSU
2010 - 2011 Chair, Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Search Committee, GSU
2010 Advisor, Public Health Students Association, JPHCOPH, GSU
2009 - 2010 Member, Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Search Committee, GSU
2008 - 2009 Member, Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Search Committee, GSU
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Honors and Awards

  • Recipient, National Dean’s List (1993)
  • Inductee, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society (1994)
  • Recipient, Certificate of Recognition for Excellent Participation, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society Texas Leadership Conference (1996)
  • Recipient, Opportunity Award Scholarship for Academic Excellence, Blinn College (1994 – 1997)
  • Recipient, President’s Scholar and Distinguished Student, Blinn College (1995 – 1997)
  • Selected to Represent Texas for Academic “Show-Casing” in a PTK International Conference held in the USA (1997)
  • Recipient, Recognition of Scholarly Achievements – All-USA Academic Team (1997)
  • Recipient, Letter of Recognition, State Representative Dan Kubiak, Texas All-State Academic Team (1997)
  • Recipient, First Team Award – Texas All-State Academic Team, Texas Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society (1997)
  • Competitive “Aggie Transfer Scholarship” for Outstanding Students Transferring to Texas A&M University (1997 – 1998)
  • Recipient, Excellent Leadership Award, Associate Dean for Research (2003)
  • Recipient, Certificate of Appreciation from the Society of Toxicology for Presenting a Poster to Diverse Groups of Undergraduate Students (2005)
  • Recipient, Certificate of Appreciation, R.E.A.D.Y. 2000, Inc. (2010)
  • Recipient, Certificate of Appreciation, Outstanding Inspirational Speech to High School students in the TRIO program and Parents/Guardians (a total of about 200 students and parents): 2010
  • Recipient, Certificate of Appreciation, Georgia Southern University Educational Opportunity Program (2010)
  • Recipient, Certificate of Appreciation, Public Health Students Association, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (2012)
  • Recipient, Public Health Student Association Champion Award (2011-2012)
  • Recipient, Award for Excellence in Service, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University (2015-2016)

Courses

  • Practicum (through the Study Abroad Program in Ghana) for MPH students (PUBH 7790S)
  • Preceptorship (through the Study Abroad Program in Ghana) for DrPH students (PUBH 9790S)
  • Environmental Toxicology (ENVH 7234)
  • Environmental Health (PUBH 6532)
  • Food Safety and Health (PUBH 7090)
  • Public Health Funding & Grants (PUBH 9135)
  • Environment, Ethics and Equity (ENVH 7238)
  • Risk Assessment and Communication (ENVH 7237)
  • Environmental Exposure and Impact Analysis (ENVH 7233)
  • Graduate level Research Mentorship
  • Internship Abroad (through the Study Abroad Program in Ghana) for Undergraduates (INTS 4790S)
  • Public Health Lab courses (Analytical Research and Organic Research - CHEM 4890) for chemistry students at GSU

Education

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2004 Ph.D. in Toxicology, Texas A&M University
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2000 M.P.H. in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A&M University
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1998 B.Sc. in Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University
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Links

Contact Information

PO Box 8015
Statesboro, GA 30460
Phone: (912) 478-2292
Office: Hendricks Hall

Email:

Refereed Publications (23)

Book Chapters (3)