About
Dr. Ronald Olum
Dr. Ronald Olum is a public health physician, infectious disease researcher, and global health leader from Uganda. He trained in Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) at Makerere University and earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) with Distinction from Imperial College London. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, USA.
Dr. Olum has completed advanced research training through the Fogarty Launching Future Leaders in Global Health Research (LAUNCH) Program under the ACHIEVE Consortium at Makerere University and Washington University in St. Louis, and the HIV Implementation Science Fellowship at the Mid-Atlantic CFAR Consortium (MACC+) Implementation Science Hub at Johns Hopkins University—both supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Driven by curiosity, fueled by passion, and committed to making a difference, my journey in health research is dedicated to finding solutions to improve health outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations. In this relentless pursuit of knowledge, I believe that every discovery is a step closer to a healthier, brighter future for all. My mission is to transform scientific advancements into real-world health solutions, bridging the gap between research and implementation with precision and dedication.
Dr. Olum’s research spans infectious disease epidemiology, implementation science, and global health, with a primary focus on HIV, tuberculosis, fungal infections, and emerging or re-emerging pathogens. He has authored and co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications. In recent years, his work has centered on HIV prevention and care for adolescent girls and young women in post-conflict Northern Uganda—where he was born and raised as an internally displaced person during two decades of armed conflict. Through the Gilead Research Scholars Program, he led a community-based study evaluating a peer-led HIV self-testing model supported by community health workers in rural, hard-to-reach settings.
At the global level, Dr. Olum serves as a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action for Measurement of Adolescent Health (GAMA) Advisory Group and the Lancet Global Health International Advisory Board. He is also a member of the Jury Board for the Lancet–Elsevier Foundation Evidence to Impact Award. His editorial roles include serving on the Editorial Board of BMC Public Health, previously as Guest Editor for the Journal of Adolescent Health, and as Associate Editor for Frontiers in Epidemiology and Frontiers in Public Health. He has additionally contributed as an External Reviewer for the WHO Hospital Care Pocket Handbook for the European Region and as a Technical Advisory Group member for UNESCO’s Global Status Report on School Health and Nutrition. He also supported the Lancet Global Health Commission on Medical Oxygen Security.
In recognition of his contributions to advancing equitable global health research and policy, Dr. Olum received the Dr. Anvar and Pari Velji Young African Leader Award in 2024 and the Dr. Judy Wasserheit Young Leader Award in 2025 from the Consortium of Universities for Global Health.
Education
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Johns Hopkins University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Student
Department of Epidemiology
Aug 2025 –
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Imperial College London
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Makerere University
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Geneva Foundation of Medical Education and Research
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Pasteur Insitute
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University of Washington
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Namilyango College
Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics)
2015
What I Believe!
I believe in the power of curiosity and the magic of asking “What if?” In a world full of complex questions, I find joy in uncovering simple, elegant answers. I believe that science is not just a career—it’s an adventure. It’s about donning a detective’s hat, peering through the microscope of wonder, and embarking on a quest to solve the mysteries of human health. I believe that collaboration is the heartbeat of innovation. Together, we can build bridges between disciplines, translate research into practice, and make a real, tangible impact on the world.
I believe that in the face of disease, science is our most potent weapon. And with dedication, resilience, and a touch of creativity, we can unlock the secrets to a healthier future for all.
And most importantly, I believe that the journey of discovery is as important as the destination. Every experiment, every trial, every moment of curiosity fuels the engine of progress and brings us one step closer to a world where health is a universal gift.
