Profile for

David Onchonga, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Epidemiology

I am an epidemiologist, public health researcher and educator whose academic and professional journey has taken me across Kenya, Hungary, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States. My international experience includes doctoral studies in Hungary, postdoctoral research at the University of Limerick in Ireland, academic and public health appointments in the United Kingdom and my current role as an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at East Texas A&M University. I hold a PhD in Health Sciences and a Master of Public Health. My work is guided by a central question: how can evidence be translated into more equitable, responsive and effective health systems? Before joining East Texas A&M University, I held academic appointments as a lecturer at two UK universities and worked in public health practice, contributing to the development, commissioning and evaluation of interventions in mental health, suicide prevention and sexual and reproductive health.

My research interests include epidemiology, infectious diseases, maternal and child health, mental health and health inequalities, with particular interests in hidden disabilities among children and social accountability in medical education. I have authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications and serve as an Academic Editor for PLOS Mental Health, in addition to reviewing for several international journals. At East Texas A&M University, I bring together research, teaching and practical public health experience to help students develop the analytical skills, critical thinking and confidence to address complex public health challenges and translate evidence into meaningful action.

A Conversation with Dr. Onchonga

What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending East Texas A&M?

I would tell them to come with curiosity, a willingness to challenge themselves, and a desire to make a difference. Public health is a field where what you learn in the classroom can have a real impact on communities and populations. At East Texas A&M, you will have opportunities to build knowledge and practical skills while exploring the health issues that matter most to you. My advice is to ask questions, engage with your professors, collaborate with your peers, and connect your learning to real-world challenges. You do not need to have your entire career mapped out when you arrive. What matters most is being open to learning, growing, and discovering how you can make a meaningful contribution.

What do you like most about your career?

What I enjoy most is seeing knowledge move beyond the pages of a research paper and become something that can improve people’s lives. It is particularly rewarding when research leads to a better understanding of a health problem, informs public health practice, or challenges assumptions that have long gone unquestioned. I also value seeing students grow from learning epidemiological concepts to confidently interpreting evidence and making informed decisions. My career has allowed me to work across research, teaching, and public health practice, and I enjoy bringing these areas together. For me, the greatest reward is knowing that the work we do today can help improve health and well-being in the future.

How do you help students at East Texas A&M?

I believe students learn epidemiology best when they can connect theory to real-world public health challenges. My teaching emphasizes practical application, critical thinking, and evidence-based decision-making through real-world examples, data analysis, and problem-based learning. I encourage students to question assumptions, interpret evidence thoughtfully, and develop the confidence to apply epidemiological principles in research, policy, and practice. My goal is to create an engaging learning environment that prepares students to address complex public health issues.

What draws you to your discipline?

What draws me to epidemiology is its ability to uncover the stories behind patterns of health and disease. Every statistic represents people and communities, and epidemiology helps us understand why health outcomes differ and what can be done to improve them. I am drawn to the discipline because it combines scientific investigation, critical thinking, and a commitment to improving population health. Whether studying infectious diseases, mental health, or health inequalities, epidemiology turns complex questions into evidence that can inform meaningful action. For me, it is not just about counting disease; it is about making the evidence count.

What has been your favorite course to teach?

Applied Data Analysis for Epidemiology. I enjoy helping students move beyond statistical calculations to understand what data actually reveal about population health. There is something particularly rewarding about watching students develop the confidence to analyze, interpret and communicate evidence that can inform real-world public health decisions.

Tell us about a project you are currently working on or recently completed.

I am developing an applied epidemiology learning initiative that uses real-world public health challenges and data to help students think and work like epidemiological investigators. I am also interested in research exploring hidden disabilities among children, particularly how these conditions intersect with healthcare access, early identification and health inequalities. Both interests reflect my commitment to connecting epidemiological evidence with practical solutions.

Tell us about an obstacle you overcame to achieve a career goal.

Building an international academic career across different countries, institutions and professional environments has required considerable persistence and adaptability. Moving between public health practice, research and academia meant continually learning new systems, navigating unfamiliar environments and demonstrating my capabilities in different settings. I have learned that career progression is rarely a straight line; it is built through resilience, curiosity and a willingness to embrace opportunities beyond one’s comfort zone.

How did East Texas A&M help you overcome this obstacle?

East Texas A&M provided an opportunity to take the next step in my academic journey and translate my international experience in research, teaching and public health practice into a new academic environment. The opportunity to join the Department of Health and Human Performance as an Assistant Professor has given me a platform to contribute to epidemiology education, develop my research program and collaborate with colleagues and students. It represents an exciting new chapter in a journey built on persistence and continuous learning.

How has East Texas A&M influenced your life and/or career?

Joining East Texas A&M has marked an important milestone in my professional journey. It has opened a new chapter in which I can bring together my experiences in international public health practice, research and higher education while contributing to the development of future public health professionals. I see this appointment not simply as a career achievement, but as an opportunity to grow, contribute and make a lasting academic impact.

Why did you choose East Texas A&M?

I was drawn to East Texas A&M because I saw an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to public health education while developing my research interests in epidemiology. The prospect of working with students, engaging in applied research and contributing to an academic community aligned with my belief that universities should be places where knowledge is not only created but also translated into solutions for society. It felt like the right environment for the next stage of my academic journey.

Educational Experience

• Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE), University of Sunderland, Sunderland, United Kingdom, 2024
• Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (Medical Education), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland, 2022–2023
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medical and Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary, 2022
• Master of Public Health (MPH), Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya, 2016
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Environmental Health, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya, 2009

Research Interests

• Epidemiology and Population Health
• Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health Epidemiology
• Mental Health and Health Behaviour
• Health Systems and Medical Education
• Childhood Hidden Disabilities and Neurodevelopmental Health
• Social Accountability and Medical Education
• Research Ethics, Evidence-Based Healthcare and Medication Safety

Awards and Honors

• 2022–2023, Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (Medical Education), University of Limerick, Ireland
• 2018–2022, Stipendium Hungaricum Doctoral Scholarship, Government of Hungary

Professional Organizations

• Member, American Public Health Association (USA)
• Fellow, Royal Society of Public Health (UK)
• Fellow, Higher Education Academy (FHEA), UK

Select Publications

• Onchonga, D., Mir, A., Salehabadi, R., Mahdavifar, N., Yazdi, K., & MoghaddamHosseini, V. (2026). Prevalence of elder abuse and associated factors among older adults attending urban health centres in Golestan Province, Iran. Discover Public Health, 23, Article 1058. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-026-02461-5
• Onchonga, D., & Abdalla, M. E. (2023). Integrating social determinants of health in medical education: A bibliometric analysis study. Public Health, 224, 58–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2023.09.005
• Onchonga, D. (2022). Monkeypox viral disease outbreak in non-endemic countries in 2022: What clinicians and healthcare professionals need to know. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 30(10), 1417–1419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2022.09.008
• Onchonga, D., & Bhaskar, L. (2022). 2019 SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic and mental health: Challenges to homeless children and youths. International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 13, Article 47. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_508_20
• Onchonga, D., Ngetich, E., Makunda, W., Wainaina, P., Wangeshi, D., & Pakai, V. (2021). Anxiety and depression due to SARS-CoV-2 among frontline healthcare workers in Kenya. Heliyon, 7(3), Article e06351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06351
• Onchonga, D., Alfatafta, H., Ngetich, E., & Makunda, W. (2021). Health-seeking behaviour among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study. Heliyon, 7(9), Article e07972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07972