Implementation science helps bridge the gap between research and real-world impact—but its benefits often don’t reach everyone equally. This pre-conference creates a space for new voices, practical tools, and shared learning, focusing on how implementation science can truly serve people across diverse countries, cultures, and systems.
Participants will explore how to:
- Embed equity in study design and research frameworks
- Use digital tools to close access gaps
- Learn from both high- and low-resource settings
- Foster genuine collaboration across the Asia-Pacific
This hands-on, inclusive event combines workshops, peer-led sessions, and panels that invite honest dialogue. Held just before APRU 2025, it supports the network’s mission of equity, sustainability, and shared solutions—an opportunity to listen, learn, and co-create fairer approaches to health.
Featured Speakers
YBhg. Professor Dato’ Dr Yang Faridah Abdul Aziz
Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya
She is a distinguished academic professor and consultant radiologist. Prof Yang is also a former chair of the Medical Education Committee at the Malaysian Medical Council, known for her specialised clinical services and research in cardiac imaging.
Dr Sanjay Rampal Lekhraj Rampal
Executive Director of Research Development, Universiti Malaya
He is a distinguished Public Health Medical Specialist and Professor of Epidemiology at Universiti Malaya. He is a respected authority known for his significant contributions to public health and for holding several leadership positions within academia.
Professor Dr Victor CW Hoe
Head, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya
Professor Dr Victor Hoe is a professor of occupational and public health. As an occupational physician, he also heads the university’s Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental Unit (OSHE) and the Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health.
Professor Dr Frederick (Rick) L. Altice
Yale School of Medicine, USA
Rick Altice is a professor of Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health at Yale University, and an expert in infectious diseases and addiction medicine. His work focuses on the intersection of diseases like HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis with substance use disorders, particularly among vulnerable populations such as incarcerated individuals. Altice conducts global health research and has developed integrated healthcare programs in countries including Malaysia, Ukraine, and Peru.
Dr Anna Thorson
WHO-TDR / The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases
She is the Head of the Research Capacity Strengthening Unit at TDR, WHO, and Professor of Global Infectious Disease Epidemiology at Karolinska Institutet. With extensive experience in implementation research, capacity building, and digital health, she will highlight global research strategies for addressing climate-sensitive infectious diseases and building resilient systems through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Professor Dr Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki
Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
She is a distinguished Public Health Medicine Specialist with experience in Evidence-Based Medicine, infectious disease modelling and implementation science. Her leadership in research and public health education enables her to foster collaborations across disciplines and sectors to tackle the multifaceted impacts of climate change on health, building resilience in health systems by integrating expertise from epidemiology, environmental science, policy, and technology.
Dr Claudia Abreu Lopes
United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH)
She is a Policy Research Lead who has over two decades of experience in academia and has held positions at prestigious institutions like the University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics.
Dr Rumana Akhter Saifi
Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
She is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. Her research applies social and epidemiological approaches to design effective public health interventions. Dr Rumana Saifi worked extensively with disadvantaged populations across the Asia-Pacific.
Dr Howie Lim Sin How
Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
Dr Howie Lim is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. His research focuses on HIV and STI prevention among key populations, particularly men who have sex with men (MSM). Dr Howie Lim has extensive expertise in areas like chemsex and drug use related to HIV risk.
Dr Nur Afiqah Mohd Salleh
Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
She is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. She serves as the Vice President at the Malaysian AIDS Council. Her research and advocacy focus on harm reduction for people who use drugs, as well as HIV and Hepatitis C.
Dr Remco Van de Pas
United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH)
He is a Policy Research Lead for the Climate Justice and Determinants of Health work package. His work also focuses on global health policy, health systems governance, and the political economy of health.
Mr Raymond Tai
PT Foundation (formerly Pink Triangle), Malaysia
He has been leading PT Foundation (formerly Pink Triangle) in Malaysia, serving in roles such as Marketing and Communications Director and Acting Chief Operations Officer. For decades, he was instrumental in its work of providing HIV/AIDS awareness, education, and support services. His efforts were crucial in supporting the gay and wider community in Malaysia at a time of significant stigma and ignorance.
Programme
08:30 – 09:00 hrs
Registration and Morning Tea
09:00 – 09:30 hrs
Opening Remarks by the Dean and the Head of Department
09:30 – 10:15 hrs
Plenary 1 – Equity in Action: Advancing Health Through Implementation Science by Professor Dr Rick Altice
10:15 – 10:45 hrs
Keynote Speech – What Counts as Implementation Research? Defining the Boundaries by Professor Dr Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki
10:45 – 11:15 hrs
Spotlight Session – How digital transformation can dismantle inequity in Implementation Research? Evidence from resource-limited and resource-abundant countries by Dr Rumana Saifi
11:15 – 11:45 hrs
Tea Break and Networking
11:45 – 12:25 hrs
Panel Discussion – Who Owns Implementation Science? Elevate voices from underrepresented communities and LMIC contexts
Panel:
- Dr Claudia Abreu Lopes
- Raymond Tai
- Dr Nasyrah Iskandar
Moderator:
- Dr Nur Afiqah Mohd Salleh
12:25 – 13:30 hrs
Lunch Break
13:30 – 14:30 hrs
Skills Building Workshop
Room 1: Decolonising Planetary Health Research and Implementation led by Remco Van de Pas.
Room 2: Unpacking Bundled Implementation Strategies – An Introduction to Flowcharts, Nominal Group Techniques and Qualitative Research Techniques, led by Professor Dr Rick Altice, Dr Rumana Saifi, and Dr Ang Swee.
14:30 – 15:30 hrs
Interactive Workshop
Room 1: Bridge implementation science with policy change—how do we push equity-oriented interventions upstream? Led by Professor Dr Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki and Remco Van de Pas
Room 2: Decolonising Planetary Health Research and Implementation, led by Dr Claudia Abreu Lopes
15:30 – 16:10 hrs
Closing Panel: “The Future of Implementation Science is Equitable” Reflections from researchers, community scholars, and global experts, led by Professor Dr Rick Altice, Dr Anna Thorson, and Professor Dr Sanjay Rampal.
16:10 – 16.30 hrs
Closing Remarks by Professor Dr Rick Altice.