Seminar Series: Edith Otalike and Yhesaem Park
PhD Thesis Proposal Defense Public Lectures
Development and validation of a critical appraisal tool for individual participant data meta-analysis and evaluation of the therapeutic benefits of cannabidiol in chronic pain
Edith Otalike, PhD Candidate
Program: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Supervisor(s): Dr. Joel J. Gagnier
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University
Short Biography:
Edith is a second-year PhD candidate in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics; she joined the program in 2022. Her academic journey began with a BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences and an MSc in Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto, Nigeria. Her current research interests include chronic pain, evidence synthesis, individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA), and methodology.
Abstract:
Individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) is the gold standard in evidence synthesis of intervention, diagnostic, prognostic, and clinical prediction model research. Emerging evidence reveals that studies in this field are conducted with varying standards. Although diverse recommendations exist from individuals and research groups, there is no consensus on what should constitute items and critical domains in the methodological quality assessment tool. Additionally, there is conflicting evidence regarding the clinical benefits of cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive component of cannabis-based medicine for managing chronic pain. No research has thoroughly evaluated the population that may benefit from CBD or other effect modifiers. This research focuses on developing and validating a consensus-based critical appraisal tool for individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) of randomized and observational studies and evaluating CBD's average and sub-group effects to guide clinical use.
Whole community impact and cost-effectiveness of HIV prevention strategies targeting people who are incarcerated
Yhesaem Park, PhD Candidate 
Program: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Supervisor(s): Dr. Lauren Cipriano
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University
Short Biography:
Yhesaem is a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, with MSc in Statistics from University of Ottawa. Her research focuses on health economics, including cost-effectiveness analysis, value of information analysis, and portfolio optimization of HIV-related interventions.
Abstract:
The overall theme of the proposed dissertation will be the use of health economic methods to evaluate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention strategies in US prisons. Specifically, I will use a detailed dynamic compartmental model of HIV transmission to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), to understand the value of additional information to inform HIV prevention policy decisions, and to optimize a portfolio of HIV prevention efforts in US prisons.
Area of research:
Health economics, cost-effectiveness analysis, value of information, portfolio optimization, dynamic compartmental model, metamodel, HIV, PrEP
Date: Friday, October 4
Time: 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: PHFM 3015 (Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine) or via Zoom (Zoom link may be requestet at EpiBio@uwo.ca )
