Dr. Kelly Elimian

Dr. Kelly Elimian is an accomplished epidemiologist, global health researcher, and health systems leader, serving as the Director of GSOUTH (Global South Open Health Education), a not-for-profit institution dedicated to advancing equitable health education, research, and capacity building across Africa.

With over a decade of experience across public health research, epidemic preparedness, and institutional strengthening, Dr. Elimian brings a rare blend of academic rigour and practical, field-based expertise to GSOUTH’s strategic direction. He is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher in Global Child Health and Sustainable Development Goals at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, and a Research Associate with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), where he has contributed to national and regional disease surveillance and emergency response efforts.

Dr. Elimian holds a PhD in Epidemiology and Public Health and an MSc in Applied Epidemiology from the University of Nottingham, UK, alongside training in Microbiology. His research and professional work span high-priority public health challenges including cholera, COVID-19, Lassa fever, malaria, and respiratory infections, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based decision-making, epidemiological surveillance, and health systems resilience in low- and middle-income settings.

As Director of GSOUTH, Dr. Elimian provides strategic leadership across the organisation’s core pillars of education, applied research, and consulting. Under his direction, GSOUTH supports governments, institutions, and health professionals through programmes focused on pandemic and epidemic preparedness, health systems strengthening, maternal and child health, epidemiology and surveillance, climate change and health, non-communicable diseases, and health policy research. His leadership ensures that GSOUTH’s work remains practical, context-driven, and aligned with Africa’s most pressing health priorities.

Dr. Elimian’s vision is to strengthen health leadership and institutional capacity across the Global South by bridging global expertise with local knowledge. Through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to equity, he continues to guide GSOUTH in delivering sustainable solutions that improve population health outcomes and build resilient health systems.