About Epinova

A new intelligence layer for global public health.

We exist to close the gap between knowing about a health threat and doing something effective about it - earlier, more precisely and more accountably.

Why Epinova exists

Health data is abundant. Timely, coordinated action is not.

Over the past two decades, public health has gained new sources of data - digital surveillance systems, satellite climate observations, mobile field reporting and open-source intelligence. Yet in many programmes, the decisions that matter most are still made late, with incomplete information, and with limited ability to show what changed as a result.

Malaria and dengue illustrate the problem. Both are strongly shaped by climate and local conditions; both reward getting the right intervention to the right community at the right time. The intelligence to do this better exists in pieces. Epinova is being built to bring those pieces together and connect them to action.

Our vision

A world where every community benefits from timely, actionable and equitable public health intelligence.

Our mission

To transform fragmented health and environmental data into predictive intelligence and coordinated action that helps organizations protect populations and improve public health outcomes.

Leadership

The people behind Epinova

A team spanning medicine, public health, computational science and AI engineering.

Khalid Shaikh

Founder CEO

Khalid Shaikh is serial entrepreneur, researcher, author, and business strategist. He is also a member of HBR Advisory Council, and has received numerous awards for his innovations and contribution in healthcare and public health.

Read bio

He is actively involved in global discussions on AI, healthcare, and investment, contributing to forums such as the Sharjah Investment Forum, St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, India Global Forum and Investopia Global Talks.

In addition to his professional commitments, he also gives back to the aspiring entrepreneur community by serving as an advisor and mentor. He has published and lectured extensively on healthcare performance improvement, digitalization, and innovation.

Dr. Sujay Patil, MD

Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Sujay is a physician-scientist and biotech leader with over a decade of experience in medical affairs, clinical research, and pharmaceutical development across multinational healthcare and life sciences organisations. With a foundation in clinical medicine and advanced expertise in translational research, Dr. Sujay bridges rigorous scientific methodology with real-world healthcare impact.

Read bio

Dr. Sujay is a founding member of the Prognica Labs team, a leading biotech company that applies cutting-edge technology to revolutionize healthcare and public health.

Dr. Rupal Dhariwal

Research Scientist

Rupal Dhariwal is a biotechnology researcher and PhD Research Scholar, specializing in neurodegenerative and rare diseases, molecular biology, clinical research, and translational life sciences. Her research focuses on the molecular relationship between long-COVID and dementia, with expertise spanning biomarker research, bio-fluid analysis, molecular biology, and clinical sample analysis. She has contributed to research across Alzheimer’s disease, neurodegeneration, mitochondrial dysfunction, blood–brain barrier integrity, targeted drug delivery, and network pharmacology. Her research has been published in leading journals and has been recognized for her contributions to the field.

Read bio

Dr. Mesk Alhammadi

Public Health Lead

Dr. Mesk Alhammadi, MD, MPH is a physician and public health professional with advanced training from Yale University School of Public Health, where she earned a Master of Public Health focused on Social and Behavioral Sciences and engaged in research within Yale’s Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine.

Read bio

She serves as Public Health Lead for Epinova Health, contributing to health innovation and translational research in clinical and community settings. Dr. Alhammadi has led public health initiatives, advanced awareness campaigns for Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular health, and is actively involved in developing digital health and mental wellness solutions that integrate creative and evidence-based approaches.

Dr. Hashem Mirmazloumi, PhD

Head - Genomics

Dr. Seyed Hashem Mirmazloumi, medical geneticist and MBA, a healthcare business advisor , with speciality in Cytogenetics, FISH, and genomics. Over a decade of operation management, commercial development, and business strategy in the Middle East and Asia.

Read bio

He is a multidisciplinary researcher and professional with expertise spanning advanced scientific research, technology-driven innovation, and applied problem-solving. With a strong academic foundation and experience working across research and industry environments, he focuses on translating complex scientific concepts into practical, real-world solutions. His work reflects a commitment to rigor, innovation, and cross-domain collaboration.

Dr. Sunil Kumar, PhD

AI / ML Biomedical Scientist

Dr. Sunil Kumar is a Pharmaceutical Scientist and Medicinal Chemist specializing in AI-driven drug discovery, neurodegenerative disease research, and computational chemistry.

Read bio

Dr. Sunil Kumar is a Pharmaceutical Scientist and Medicinal Chemist specializing in AI-driven drug discovery, neurodegenerative disease research, and computational chemistry.

His expertise bridges medicinal chemistry and artificial intelligence, including molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, QSAR modeling (2D/3D), pharmacophore modeling, MMGBSA, PCA, and machine learning using tools such as GROMACS, BIOVIA Discovery Studio, and Python. He has hands-on experience in advanced synthesis techniques, purification methodologies (HPLC, column chromatography), and biological assays.

Dr. Sunil has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in leading international journals, including Scientific Reports, Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling, and ACS Omega. He is also an inventor on multiple patents related to neurodegenerative disease therapeutics, including MAO-B inhibitors and novel conjugated dienone compounds.

Advisory board

The advisors behind our direction

Dr. Sten Vermund

Former Dean, Yale School of Public Health

Dr. Vermund’s tenure as YSPH dean (2017-2022) was marked by several historic gains. Under his leadership, YSPH experienced its largest jump in the U.S. News & World Report rankings in more than a decade.

Read bio

He established the school’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, expanded the Office of Public Health Practice, was instrumental in developing the Yale Institute for Global Health in collaboration with the schools of nursing and medicine, and introduced YSPH’s widely popular Executive MPH degree program. His deanship was further notable for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, both within and outside of Yale.

Prof. Olugbenga Mokuolu

Co-Chair, WHO Antimalarial Guideline Development Group

Professor Olugbenga Mokuolu is a physician-scientist, global malaria strategist and Professor of Paediatrics & Child Health with nearly 30 years of experience advancing child survival and public health across Africa. He co-chairs the WHO Antimalarial Guideline Development Group and the RBM Case Management Working Group, and serves as Strategic Adviser to the Honourable Ministers of Health on Malaria Elimination.

Read bio

His research includes trials that transformed global malaria treatment guidelines, with 140+ publications and over 9,000 citations. He has helped countries mobilise over $3 billion in malaria funding and guided major USAID and Global Fund portfolios covering 19 states in Nigeria. He was named among the Top 20 Heroes Fighting Malaria in Africa (2023).

Dr. Ibrahim Bani

Public health physician; 30+ years in international public health

Professor Bani is a public health physician by training with over 30 years of experience in International Public Health. He also worked as an adjutant professor at the International Health Department at George Washington University, USA and visiting Professor /Community Health at the American University Beirut.

Read bio

Dr. Bani ‘s International experience is also extensive, including association with the Micronutrient Initiative (MI), World Bank, WHO, UNICEF, USAID, WFP, and UN Humanitarian Mission.

Christopher Mengler

Former President, Global Pharmaceuticals (Impax Laboratories)

Chris is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive and strategic advisor with more than three decades of experience across generic and specialty pharmaceuticals, global strategy, business development, and pharmaceutical operations. He previously served as President of Global Pharmaceuticals, the generic division of Impax Laboratories, a NASDAQ listed pharmaceutical company. He held senior strategic leadership roles at Barr Laboratories before its acquisition by Teva.

Read bio

Throughout his career, Chris has also held project management and medical division roles at Pfizer and began his pharmaceutical career with Sterling-Winthrop.

Holds an MBA from Baruch College, a pharmacy degree from St. John’s University, and an engineering degree from Johns Hopkins University. He remains a licensed and registered pharmacist in New York.

Our approach

Scientific rigour, operational realism.

Technology philosophy

Use the simplest method that works, combine models with expert knowledge, and build for low-bandwidth, real-world conditions.

Responsible AI

Human oversight, visible uncertainty, source traceability and privacy by design are requirements, not features.

Global ambition

Start deep in two geographies, learn, then scale to new countries and diseases with local partners.

Scientific approach

Back-test models, pre-specify evaluations, publish methods, and report limitations honestly.

Operational approach

Design with field teams and programme managers so that intelligence fits how work is actually done.

Partnership model

Respect national data sovereignty and partner ownership of data and decisions.