Dr. Nasar U. Ahmed

Intervention Research: Intervention Development

1. Shonchoy AS, Ishtiaq KS, Talukder S, Ahmed NU, Chowdhury R. A novel index-based decision support toolkit for safe reopening following a generalized lockdown in low and middle-income countries. Nature Scientific Reports. 2021;11:14108.
2. Ahmed NU, Haber G, Semenya KA, Hargreaves MK. Randomized controlled trial of mammography intervention in insured very-low-income women. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 2010;19(7):1790-1798.
3. Ahmed NU, Fort J, Malin A, Semenya K, Haber G. Breast cancer knowledge and barriers to mammography screening in a managed care low-income population. Journal of Cancer Education. 2009;24(4):261-6.
4. Ahmed NU, Fort J, Malin A, Hargreaves MK. Barriers to mammography screening in a managed care population. Public Administration and Management. 2009;14(1).
5. Delgado M, Ahmed NU. Physician-Delivered Dietary Counseling: A Review. Journal of Nature and Science (JNSCI). 2016;2(5):e192.
6. Ahmed NU, Fort JG, Micah TH, Dickerson P, Belay Y. Changes needed in the healthcare system: Perspectives of lay health workers on cancer prevention. Journal of Ambulatory Care Management. 2006;29(1):17-23.
7. Ahmed NU, Zeitlin MF, Beiser AS, Super CM, Gershoff SN, Ahmed MA. Community-based trial and ethnographic techniques for the development of hygiene intervention in rural Bangladesh. Int'l Quarterly of Community Health Education. 1991-92;12(3):183-202.

Intervention Research: Intervention Impact Evaluation

8. Zeitlin MF, Ahmed NU, Beiser AS, Zeitlin JA, Super CM, Guldan GS. Developmental, behavioral and environmental risk factors for diarrhoea among children under two in rural Bangladesh. Journal of Diarrhoeal Diseases Research. 1995;13(2):99-105.

Research on Methods

9. Llau AF, Ahmed NU. Identification of an Accident Prediction Model for Red Light Camera Analysis. Biom Biostat Int J. 2016;4(3):00095.
10. Gullhar M, Kibria BMG, Albatineh A, Ahmed NU. A comparison of some confidence intervals for estimating the population coefficient of variation: A simulation study. Statistics & Operations Research Transactions. 2012;36(1):45-68.
11. Ahmed NU. An application of polytomous logistic regression in U.S. national level complex survey data to study racial/ethnic health disparity. Proc. International Stat Sc. 2008.
12. Khan HMR, Saxena A, Rana S, Ahmed NU. Bayesian Method for Modeling Male Breast Cancer Survival Data. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2014;15(2):663-669.
13. Khan HMR, Albatineh A, Alshahrani S, Jenkins N, Ahmed NU. Sensitivity analysis of predictive modeling for responses from the three-parameter Weibull model with a follow-up doubly censored sample of cancer patients. Computational Stat & Data Analysis. 2011;55(12):3093-3103.
14. Belcon M, Ahmed NU, Younis M. Analysis of national healthcare systems: Searching for a model for developing countries – Trinidad and Tobago as a Test Case. Public Administration and Management. 2009;14(1).
15. Khan HMR, Albatineh A, Tefsa S, Jenkins N, Ahmed NU. Predictive inference from two-parameter Weibull model given a doubly censored sample of hepatocellular carcinoma of liver patients. Journal of Applied Statistical Science. 2011;19(1):115-128.

Underserved Populations & Health Disparities Research

16. Ahmed NU, Rojas P, Degarege A. Cervical cancer screening, health seeking behavior and knowledge about cervical cancer prevention among female college students in a multi-ethnic institution. JNMA. April 2020;112(2).
17. Ahmed NU, Brewster C, Chen-Martinez C, Thomas-DeVlugt L, Rodriguez A. Dignity or Shame, Stigma, or Ignorance: Avoidance of Breast and Cervical Cancers Screening among Women of Caribbean Descent. Open Journal of Social Sciences. 2022;10(5):496-508.
18. Ahmed NU, Delgado M, Saxena A. Trends and disparities in the prevalence of physicians' counseling on diet and nutrition among the U.S. adult population, 2000-2011. Preventive Medicine. 2016.
19. Ahmed NU, Pelletier V, Winter K, Albatineh A. Factors explaining racial/ethnic disparities in rates of colorectal cancer screening. American Journal of Public Health. 2013;103(7):e91-99.
20. Ahmed NU, Smith G, Haber G, Belcon M. Are women with functional limitations at high risk of underutilization of mammography screening? Women's Health Issues. 2009;19:79-87.
21. Ata A, Elzey JD, Insaf TZ, Grau AM, Stain SC, Ahmed NU. Colorectal cancer prevention: Adherence patterns and correlates of tests done for screening purposes within US populations. Cancer Detection and Prevention. 2006;30:134-143.

TECHNICAL REPORTS

1. Fort J, Ahmed NU. Empowering Factors in Cancer Screening in Underserved Populations. Report to Department of Army: The Defense Technical Information Center’s Technical Report Database, November 2005.
2. Zhu K, Ahmed NU. Methyl-deficient diets and risks of breast cancer among African American women. A case-control study by methylation status of ER gene. Report to Department of Army: The Defense Technical Information Center’s Technical Report Database, October 2001.
3. Ahmed NU. Breast cancer screening in a low-income managed care population. Report to Department of Army: The Defense Technical Information Center’s Technical Report Database, July 2001.
4. Hargreaves MK, Ahmed NU, Rutababalira A, Jones H. A model school health program for disadvantaged African American children. Final Report Submitted to the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Minority Health, September 1997.
5. Zeitlin MF, Bonilla J, Mendrano Y, LaMontagne J, Ahmed NU. Positive deviance in nutrition research project, Nicaraguan Phase I Survey Report to UNICEF, New York, 1990.
6. Zeitlin MF, Super CM, Beiser AS, Guldan GS, Ahmed NU, Zeitlin JA, Ahmed MA, Sockalingam S. A behavioral study of positive deviance in young child nutrition and health in rural Bangladesh. Report to Asia and Near East Bureau, USAID, 1989.
7. Zeitlin MF, Guldan GS, Ahmed NU. Growth patterns of rural Bangladesh infants. Report 6 of the Tufts-INFS-BRAC positive deviance project. Report to USAID and the Office of International Health, Washington, DC, November 1988.
8. Ahmed NU, Chowdhury MH. An evaluation of the effect and impact of Nutrition Education and Supplementary Feeding Training Programme at the family level in rural Bangladesh. Report to UNICEF and the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Dhaka, 1985.
9. Zeitlin MF, Guldan GS, Klevin RE, Ahmed NU. Sanitary conditions of crawling infants in rural Bangladeshi infants. Report to the USAID Asia Bureau, November 1985.
10. Ahmed NU. Macro planning in food and nutrition: A case study on market assistance program — an integrated approach of development of marketing system in the Philippines. Report to Institute of Human Ecology, University of the Philippines, August 1983.
11. Ahmed NU, Bandahala CA, Saptorini E, Baidya AN. Formulation and implementation of one year village development plan for Sulpoc County. Report to Mayor of Tanuan, Batangas, Philippines, 1983.
12. Ahmed NU. Feasibility study on backyard broiler production project in the village of Sulpok. Report to the Office of Mayor of Tanuan, Batangas, Philippines, 1983.
13. Ahmed NU. Fertilizer consumption in Bangladesh, its past trend and future projection. Report to the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Dhaka, 1982.
14. Ahmed K, Majid M, Ahmed NU. A national level evaluation of the primary and secondary effects of food for work programmes. Report to the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Dhaka, 1981.
15. Ahmed K, Majid M, Abdullah M, Ahmed NU. Development of methodology for nutritional surveillance. Report to the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Dhaka, 1980.

ARTICLES IN SUBMISSION / PROGRESS

1. Ahmed NU, Chowdhury MAB, Rodrigues A, Azim SI, Taskin T, Ahmed S. Reversal of Gender and Racial Compliance with Colorectal Cancer Screening: Evidence from National Surveys. Cancer Causes & Control (submitted).
2. Llau A, Ahmed NU. Risk Factors of Prescription Opioid Misuse Among High School Students. Addictive Behavior (review comments).
3. Cheng-Martinez C, Ahmed NU, Maziak W, Veledar E, Messiah SE, Natale RA. Prevalence and Determinants of Unhealthy Weight in Preschoolers by Socioeconomic Position. Preventive Medicine Report.
4. Delgado K, Chang-Martinez C, Ahmed NU. Parental Food Practices Associated with Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Hispanic Middle-Income Preschool-Aged Children (submitted, 2020).
5. Quesada D, Ahmed NU. A Structural Equation Model of the Associations among Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Obesity and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (submitted).
6. Quesada D, Ahmed NU. A Model Assessing Mediating Effects of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Obesity. Preventive Medicine Report.
7. Quesada D, Ahmed NU. A Model for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Obesity: Do Medication and Gender Moderate the Relationship (submitted).
8. Haber G, Ahmed NU, Jaccard J. Risk perception and repeat mammography in U.S. women: The moderating effect of physician recommendation (pending).
9. Haber G, Ahmed NU, Jaccard J. The role of race/ethnicity in breast cancer risk perception and its association with repeat mammography in U.S. women (in preparation).
10. Haber G, Ahmed NU. Reframing mammography screening guidelines (in preparation).
11. Ahmed NU, Haber G, Winter K. The Integration of a Health Disparity Course in the Health Professions Core Curricula: A Call for Action (in preparation).
12. Ahmed NU, Smith G. Racial and ethnic disparity and predictors of Prostate cancer screening among US men: National Health Interview Survey 2000 (in preparation).
13. Ahmed NU, Smith G. Chronic disease and breast cancer screening in women over forty using National Data: NHIS 1985-2020 (in preparation).

HONORS/RECOGNITION:

1. Reappointed as National External Reviewer, American Public University System Accreditation for All Health Sciences Programs, 2024 (previously 2021)
2. Appointed International Mentor, Fulbright Faculty Scholar Program, 2024
3. International Creative Arts Award, for the poetry collection Protiti (Conviction), 2024
4. International Fulbright Faculty Scholar Award, Daffodil International University, 2023–2024
5. Inducted, ASPH/Pfizer Public Health Academy of Distinguished Teachers — a national recognition, 2010
6. Award in Overall Excellence, Stempel Public Health Association, 2010
7. International Conference on Recent Development in Statistical Sciences Award, for conference keynote speech, 2008
8. American Association for Cancer Research & NCI MSI Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research National Award, 2005 (also 2004, 2002, 2001 as AACR-HBCU Faculty Scholar) – four-time recipient
9. Intercultural Cancer Council Award, 9th Biennial Symposium presentation, 2004
10. Citation of Outstanding Reviewer, Journal of the National Medical Association, National Medical Association, 2002, 2003
11. Principal Investigator Distinguished Service Award, Nashville REACH 2010 Project, 2003
12. Featured Alumni of the Year, Tufts University Alumni Association, 2002
13. Nominated, Meharry Medical College Researcher of the Year Award, 2001
14. Tennessee Volunteers Heroes Award, in recognition of the United Nations' International Year of the Volunteer – state-level honor, 2001
15. Best Evaluator Award, Toastmasters International, 1996
16. US Agency for International Development Fellowship for International Health Research, 1990
17. United Nations University Fellowship, international award for advanced research, 1986
18. Netherlands Universities Foundation for International Cooperation Fellowship, 1982

Ph.D., Social Science & Applied Health (Epidemiology & Statistical Analysis) — Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, 1992

MPS, Food and Nutrition Planning (Research and Evaluation Methods), with distinction — University of the Philippines at Los Baños, 1983

MSc, Applied Statistics, with distinction — Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1979

North South University

Daffodil International University

Florida International University, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Miami, FL

Meharry Medical College & Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

SELECTED ADMINISTRATIVE & INSTITUTION-BUILDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Guided the CEPH accreditation of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at FIU’s Robert Stempel College, and developed the MPH in Epidemiology, MPH in Biostatistics, and PhD in Epidemiology programs.
• Founded and directed the Health Disparity Research Group (HDRG), a cross-disciplinary consortium studying and disseminating research on health disparities.
• Founding President of the Council of Epidemiology Chairs & Directors (CEC), a North American organization of over 100 member institutions; its work has been featured in news by ACE, the ASPPH Friday newsletter, and the CDC Epi Monitor. etc.
• Founding Editor (proposed), Population Health & Health Disparity journal Oxfourd Univeristy Press with Nobel laureate Dr. A.K. Sen and Sir Michael Marmot agreeing to serve as Honorary Advisors.
• Established the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Division and the Clinical Biometry Unit at Meharry Medical College, and the Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Research Core at the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance.
• Founding Director of the Research and Evaluation Unit, Indiana State Department of Health; redesigned the state’s health reporting system, cutting reporting time for large databases from seven years to two.
• At Daffodil International University, helped establish departments in Integrated Naturopathic Medicine, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, and Cybersecurity, and revitalized the Global Health Center.
• Selected as sole external reviewer for the American Public University System’s national accreditation of all health sciences programs (2021, 2024).

Florida International University (selected)

• Chair, Faculty Assembly, FIU Stempel College Public Health & Social Work (2019–2023)
• Senator, United Faculty of Florida, representing 12 public universities (2022–2023)
• Senator and Member, University Steering Committee, Faculty Senate (multiple terms, 2008–2020) — the highest governing body for faculty at FIU
• Chair, G-51 Assembly of Chairs and Directors (2009–2010); Chair-Elect (2008–2009)
• Chair, Search Committees for the Chair of Health Policy & Management and the Department of Environmental & Occupational Health (2009–2010)
• Member, University Curriculum Committee and Graduate Council; Member, Dean’s Council/Executive Committee (2004–2012)
• Led the LCME needs-assessment survey evaluation and analysis for the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (2009–2010)

Meharry Medical College & Vanderbilt University

• Member, President’s Advisory Committee; Member, Meharry-Vanderbilt Cancer Alliance Executive Committee
• Member, Clinical Research Center’s Advisory Committee and Medical School Admission Committee
• Co-Director, REACH 2010 Evaluation Team

Editorial & Peer Review

• Editorial board member: Epidemiology; World Journal of Methodology; Global Journal of Quantitative Science; Frontiers of Public Health (Epidemiology); Epidemiology International Journal
• Reviewer for the American Journal of Public Health, International Journal of Epidemiology, Social Science and Medicine, Journal of the National Medical Association, and numerous other peer-reviewed journals

1. PHC 7705 Methods in Evidence-Based Public Health
2. PHC 7017 Advanced Epidemiology of Health Disparity
3. PHC 7011 Advanced Current Research in Epidemiology
4. PHC 7711 Methodological Issues in Scientific Inquiry of Public Health Research
5. PHC 7982 Public Health Pre-Dissertation Research
6. PHC 6934 Scientific Writing and Oral Presentation in Epidemiology
7. PHC 6700 Methods and Analysis in Epidemiologic Research
8. PHC 6441 Epidemiology of Health Disparity
9. PHC 6008 Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease
10. PHC 6007 Cancer Epidemiology (on-site and online)
11. PHC 6000 Public Health Epidemiology (on-site and online)

Professional Affiliations

International Mentor, Fulbright Scholarship Programs; President, Council of Epidemiology Chairs and Directors; Fellow, American College of Epidemiology; Member, International Scientific Committee on Statistical Sciences; Member, American Association for Cancer Research; Member, American Public Health Association; Member, American Statistical Association; Member, National Health Service Research Network; Member, Union of Concerned Scientists: Action for Global Sustainability; Member, North America Bangladesh Statistical Association; Honorary Life Member, National Bangla Academy; Life Member, Bangladesh Statistical Association; Life Member, Bangladesh Nutrition Society.

Community & Cultural Leadership

Founding President, Bangladesh Community of Indiana; President, Bangladesh Association of Greater Nashville; Board of Trustees Member, Celebration of Culture; Trustee Board Member, Diversity Dialogue Nashville Chapter, Tennessee; Member Secretary, Federation of Bangladesh Associations of North America (coordinated the third convention at MIT, Cambridge, MA, with UN and U.S. federal/state representatives).

National & International Service (selected)

• Main external reviewer, American Public University System accreditation for all health sciences programs (2020–2021, reappointed 2024)
• Chief Advisor, UniV — international organization for global sustainable development research proposal competitions (2020–2023)
• Founding President, National Council of Epidemiology Chairs & Directors in North America (2009–2011)
• Led Organizer, Annual Health Disparity Workshop, Florida Public Health Institute (2007–2010)
• Guest or keynote speaker: Global Health Conference 2020; United Nations’ World Statistics Day 2020
• Advisor, Journal of Developing Areas (1998–2006)

Professor Ahmed's research centers on cancer screening disparities, community-based behavioral intervention, health disparities epidemiology, and applied biostatistics, with a growing focus on lifestyle-modification approaches to chronic disease management and AI-driven approaches to child health outcomes. He was involved in raising over $20 million in grants and contracts over the course of his career, funded by the NIH, the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, the CDC, the Department of Justice, and international partners including Nestlé and the Directorate General of Health, Bangladesh.

1. Safety and Efficacy of Clinical Trial of Fasting Mimicking Diet on Chronic Disease: A Pilot Project in Bangladesh (PI, with V. Longo as Co-PI) — 2025–26, in development
2. Training Certification Module for Rural Medical Practitioners (RMPs): Certification Program on Child Health & Nutrition (CPCN) — Consultant; Nestlé PLC Bangladesh, funded 2024–2029
3. Health System Reform in Bangladesh — Consultant (with M. Shahjahan as PI); Directorate General of Health, Bangladesh, 2024
4. Case studies of successful lifestyle modification: a longitudinal data collection project to identify which strategies and combinations are most effective (PI, with J. Kabir as Co-PI) — pilot research grant, in preparation
5. AI-driven Prediction, Early Detection, and Examination of the Relationship Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Child Health Outcomes in Bangladesh — Consultant (with R. Mobarak as PI), in preparation
6. Muscle fatigue detection and progression of neuromuscular junction origin in early Parkinson disease — Co-Investigator (with F. Leon-Sarmiento as PI); NIH R01NS114659-01A1, $1,878,000 over 5 years
7. Examining the Influences of Transportation and Land Use Infrastructures on Cancer Risks and Accessibility to Cancer Care Services across Neighborhoods: A Pilot Study in South Florida — Co-Investigator (with M. Lee as PI); NIH, $396,733, 2021–2023
8. Miami-Dade County Opioid Affected Youth Initiative — Mentor/Co-Investigator; sub-contract via A. Llau, Department of Justice, $1,000,000 total ($120,000 sub-contract), Oct 2018–Sept 2021
9. Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening among Caribbean women in Broward County — PI; Pilot Grant from the Dean, $5,000
10. Factors Affecting Prostate Cancer Screening Rates for Underserved Populations: An Application of the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model — PI; approved, unfunded due to budget cuts, $300,000
11. Empowering Factors among Breast Cancer Screening Compliant Underserved Populations — PI; U.S. Army Medical Research, Department of Defense, Grant No. DAMD17-99-1-9288, $303,105, 2000–2005
12. Breast Cancer Screening in a Low-Income Managed Care Population — PI; U.S. Army Medical Research, Department of Defense, Grant No. DAMD17-97-1-6277, $579,874, 1997–2001
13. Cancer Prevention/Outreach Shared Resource: Epidemiology and Biostatistics Core Unit, Meharry-Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center — PI (component); NIH-NCI U54 CA91408-01, $739,471 component of a $9,224,919 total grant, Aug 2001–Apr 2006
14. Mother-daughter communication about breast cancer — PI (with B. Compas as Co-PI); NIH-NCI Pilot, $100,000, May 2004–Apr 2006
15. Health Risk Factors and Barriers to Health Care Seeking Among Medicaid and Medicare Eligible Living in Low-Income Housing Projects — Co-PI (with M. Hargreaves as PI); HCFA Grant No. 20-C-90841/4-01, $250,489, 1997–2003
16. Methyl-Deficient Diets and Risks of Breast Cancer among African American Women: A Case-Control Study by Methylation Status of ER Gene — Co-PI (with K. Zhu as PI); U.S. Army Medical Research, Grant No. DAMD17-97-1-6277, $328,228, 1997–2001
17. Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) 2010, Phase I: Document Racial Disparities in CVD and Diabetes among African Americans in North Nashville — Investigator (M. Marrs, PI); CDC Grant No. U50/CCU417280-02, $1,070,865, 1999–2000
18. A Comprehensive Intervention in Asthma Management in a Population of Black and Hispanic Pregnant Women — Co-PI (with A. Cruz-Gervis as PI); NHLBI Grant No. 5U01HL072431-03, $594,921 component, 2003–2008
19. REACH 2010, Phase II: Develop and Implement Strategies to Eliminate Racial Disparities in CVD and Diabetes among African Americans in North Nashville — Investigator (M. Marrs, PI); CDC Grant No. U50/CCU417280-02, $6,250,000, 2000–2004