Olufunto “Funto” Olusanya, PhD, MD, MPH

Dr. Olufunto Olusanya is a physician, implementation scientist, and epidemiologist with over 17 years of clinical experience and 12 years of impactful research expertise. Her work has advanced global health and health equity by using innovative methods, such as community-based participatory approaches and digital health, to address health disparities among underserved racial and ethnic minority populations.

As Co-Associate Director at the Light Institute for Global Health and Transformation, Dr. Olusanya leads transformative global health initiatives that span both infectious (Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Human Papillomavirus) and non-infectious diseases (hypertension), coordinating and supporting pilot studies, clinical trials, capacity-building, and interdisciplinary research collaborations. Moreover, Dr. Olusanya has contributed to over 30 publications in leading scientific journals and provided technical expertise to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in vaccine confidence and health behavior change. Her contributions have informed critical public health interventions, including vaccine uptake strategies to address vaccination barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic in underserved communities.

Dr. Olusanya has mentored future leaders in public health and medicine, offering advisory expertise on funded projects that promote vaccine confidence, prevent strokes, and advance breast health equity. She is dedicated to mentoring and aspires to lead teams of researchers to drive significant advancement in Implementation Science.