Mr. Kazi Fayzus Salahin
Master Thesis Title: Thesis
Current work: Current
Awarded: รางวัล
TUYF Charitable Trust Fund Scholarship
Q: Please introduce yourself and tell us about your studies, research, and/or interests in epidemiology
Hi, this is Kazi Fayzus Salahin from Bangladesh, and I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Department of Epidemiology at the Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand. My academic and professional journey blends my foundation of statistics with over a decade of experience in public health research and monitoring & evaluation. My research and professional work focus on data-driven approaches to improve community health, particularly in low-resources urban settings. My research interest spans health system strengthening and evaluation, evidence-based decision-making, immunization equity, vaccination policy and advocy, urban health, behavioral health, and statistical modeling using both classical and machine learning methods.
My doctoral thesis, titled “Stakeholders' Engagement on Evidence-Based Decision-Making on Interventions for Vaccination in Children Aged 12–23 Months in Slum Areas of Bangladesh: A Mixed-Method Model,” focuses on improving childhood vaccination coverage in urban slums. The study integrates systematic review, stakeholder consultations, multicriteria decision analysis (using the WHO iEtD framework and TOPSIS-Entropy), and qualitative research to assess feasible, sustainable, and impactful interventions. This work not only identifies key barriers to vaccination but also provides practical, scalable intervention that bridge research, policy, and real-world implementation.
Q: Why did you choose PSU for your graduate studies in epidemiology?
I chose Prince of Songkla University (PSU) because of its outstanding reputation in public health, particularly in applied epidemiology. Moreover, PSU committed to solve the real-world health challenges on the regional and global perspectives. It nurtures a unique environment where academic training meets practical implementation, something I highly value. The opportunity to work under the mentorship of globally recognized and respected faculty members and engage with diverse research collaborations across the world made PSU the ideal place for me to deepen my skills in applied research and problem solving ability. PSU is the hub of the professional network that fosters a researcher’s career and provides the infrastructure to explore and enrich both research capacity and professional vision.
Q: Your Research Interest:
A: After completing my Ph.D., I plan to continue working in public health research and policy, focusing on strengthening immunization programs, improving maternal and child health services, and addressing health inequities in low- and middle-income countries. I aim to engage in collaborative research and work closely with government agencies, NGOs, and global health organizations to translate evidence into actionable policies and interventions. Additionally, I hope to contribute to academic teaching and mentoring.
Q: Future Academic Goals:
My plan is to continue working at the intersection of epidemiological research, policy translation, and program evaluation, with a focus on improving public health outcomes including urban health, behavioral health, and digital health innovations for vulnerable and deprived populations, particularly in urban areas. My long-term aims are to contribute regional and global health research to support governments and development partners for designing, implementing, and evaluating impactful public health programs. I also hope to contribute to academic teaching and mentoring, particularly on policy advocacy, machine learning applications in healthcare, and epidemiological modeling to public health challenges such vaccination, maternal health, non-communicable diseases, and climate-related health risks empowering data-driven decisions for underserved populations.
Q: Message for Applicants:
A: I would say: apply with confidence. The TUYF Scholarship is more than a financial support—it is an investment to the public health professionals with Research Capacity Building through Education and Networking. The engaging and motivational activities carried by the TUYF Scholarship committee for the students are really exceptional to me.