TEAM
Ilir completed his medical degree at the University of Prishtina and subsequently trained as a specialist in public health at the National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo. He pursued graduate studies, earning an MSc in Health Systems Management from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom, and a PhD in Public Health from the University of Bern, Switzerland, graduating with High Honours.
As a Fulbright Research Fellow at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, New Hampshire, United States, he conducted research on health system factors and care delivery. Between 2017 and 2019, he served as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Community and Family Medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, and has held an Adjunct Assistant Professor appointment at The Dartmouth Institute since 2019. In parallel, he has been Professor at Heimerer College, Kosovo, since 2019. In 2021, he founded the Evidence Synthesis Group, which he continues to lead as Managing Director. Alongside his academic career, he has engaged in advisory work in health policy, health systems strengthening, and programme evaluation, working with organisations including the World Bank, UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, USAID, LuxDev, Solidar Suisse, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Throughout his academic, research, and advisory career, his work has taken him to a wide range of country contexts across Europe, the United States, and Africa.
Ilir's research interests span health system performance, maternal and child health, cancer epidemiology, preventive medicine, and disease risk prediction. Methodologically, his work is grounded in evidence synthesis and the design and analysis of original empirical studies. He has authored and co-authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and over 80 other research reports. His research has been published in international journals, including Obstetrics & Gynecology, Sports Medicine, British Journal of Sports Medicine, JCO Global Oncology, and European Journal of Public Health.
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Valid completed his Bachelor’s degree in International Sales and Marketing at the International Business College Mitrovica, Kosovo, and later earned an Executive MBA in Human Resource Management from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Human Resource Management and Educational Systems at the University of Maribor, Slovenia.
Valid has built a multidisciplinary career spanning higher education, human resource management, organisational development, and quality assurance. He has also worked with the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute as Project Officer and National Consultant, supporting quality improvement and organisational development initiatives in the health sector, and previously held leadership and advisory roles in human resource management and organisational development within national and international non-governmental organisations. Since 2024, he has served as Lecturer and Head of the Quality Assurance Department at the International Business College Mitrovica, where he contributes to teaching, academic administration, institutional quality assurance, and continuous improvement processes. Since 2025, he has served as Human Resources and Executive Associate at the Evidence Synthesis Group, supporting organisational operations, human resource management, recruitment, executive coordination, and project administration. Prior to this role, he worked as a Research Associate at the Evidence Synthesis Group, contributing to evidence synthesis, applied research, proposal development, and consultancy projects.
Valid’s research interests include human resource development, organisational behaviour, higher education quality assurance, employee development, leadership, and the impact of digital transformation and artificial intelligence on organisations. His academic work has been published in international journals and edited volumes.
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Vlora holds a Master of Arts in Business Administration and Management from Dardania College, Prishtina, and a Bachelor of Arts in Banking, Finance and Accounting from the same institution. She has further complemented her academic background with specialised training in international project management.
Between 2015 and 2018, she served as Executive Director at the Centre for Social and Cultural Development, leading initiatives across civil society, education, and development sectors in Kosovo. From 2018 to 2025, she served as Program Manager at IPKO Foundation, overseeing programme development and stakeholder engagement across a range of international development initiatives. She has also contributed to research projects, including studies on Kosovo citizens' perceptions of political affairs and media digitalisation, conducted in collaboration with UBO Consulting and Management and Development Associates. In 2025, she joined the Evidence Synthesis Group as Program Development and Management Associate, where she leads programme coordination and organisational development.
Emmanuel obtained a BSc in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, and subsequently completed a Postgraduate Diploma and an MSc in Medical Statistics at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, United Kingdom. He has further advanced his expertise through professional training in monitoring and evaluation, infectious disease modelling, health research ethics, and data management.
Emmanuel is an applied statistician with more than 18 years of experience in public health, epidemiology, implementation science, agriculture, economic evaluation, and monitoring and evaluation. Throughout his career, he has supported the design, implementation, and analysis of clinical trials, complex surveys, quasi-experimental studies, impact evaluations, and large-scale monitoring systems. His expertise spans advanced statistical methods, predictive modelling, development of risk prediction tools, economic evaluation, and the application of quantitative methods to inform policy and programme decision-making. Emmanuel has held senior statistical and evaluation roles across a wide range of international research and development programmes, including initiatives supported by USAID, UNICEF, the World Bank, Global Affairs Canada, the Global Fund, JICA, NIH, DFID, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Since 2026, Emmanuel has served as a Senior Research Associate at the Evidence Synthesis Group, where he provides advanced support in biostatistics, quantitative methods, and monitoring and evaluation across research projects.
Emmanuel’s research interests include biostatistics, epidemiology, implementation science, impact evaluation, infectious disease modelling, economic evaluation, and predictive analytics. Methodologically, his work focuses on advanced statistical modelling, causal inference methods, quasi-experimental designs, clinical trial analysis, and the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks. He has authored and co-authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and has contributed extensively to the evidence base in global health, nutrition, maternal and child health, malaria, and health systems research.
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Genta completed her medical degree at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina, Kosovo. She is currently undertaking specialist training in Forensic Medicine at the Institute of Forensic Medicine of Kosovo, where she is involved in medico-legal investigations, forensic examinations, and evidence-based forensic reporting.
Alongside her specialist training, Genta serves as a Medical Expert at SIGMA Insurance Company, providing medical evaluations and expert opinions related to insurance claims, injuries, and health conditions. She has previously worked as a General Practitioner in primary healthcare and as a Lecturer in medical sciences, contributing to the education and training of future healthcare professionals. In parallel, she has maintained a strong commitment to humanitarian and community health initiatives through the Kosovo Red Cross, where she currently serves as Vice President of the Prishtina Branch. Genta has been actively engaged in research and evidence-based healthcare throughout her career. Between 2018 and 2021, she contributed to LifestylediagnostiX’s work, supporting the development of innovative digital tools for disease risk prediction and lifestyle-based health promotion. She subsequently worked as a Research Associate with the Evidence Synthesis Group and Action for Mothers and Children, contributing to systematic reviews, maternal and child health research, and the evaluation of health interventions.
Genta’s research interests include forensic medicine, public health, maternal and child health, preventive medicine, and digital health innovation. Methodologically, her work focuses on evidence synthesis, epidemiological research, and the application of research evidence to clinical practice and health policy. She has contributed to publications in international journals, including Obstetrics & Gynecology and Research in Health Services & Regions.
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Krenare completed her medical degree at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina, Kosovo. She is currently a PhD candidate in Medical Sciences at the University of Prishtina and is undertaking specialist training in Paediatrics at the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo. Her postgraduate training has been complemented by advanced courses in paediatrics, clinical research, and evidence synthesis, including training in Cochrane systematic review methodology.
Between 2019 and 2020, Krenare was involved with LifestylediagnostiX, contributing to research activities focused on lifestyle-based disease risk prediction and the development of innovative approaches to preventive medicine. Since 2021, she has served as a Paediatrics Resident at the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo, gaining clinical experience across a broad range of child health conditions. In parallel, she has been engaged in research and evidence synthesis as a Research Assistant at the Evidence Synthesis Group since 2021, contributing to systematic reviews, meta-analyses, evidence synthesis projects, and applied health research. Between 2022 and 2023, she also served as Lecturer at Heimerer College, Kosovo, contributing to teaching and academic activities in the health sciences.
Krenare's research interests include paediatrics, maternal and child health, clinical epidemiology, preventive medicine, and evidence-based healthcare. Methodologically, her work focuses on evidence synthesis, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and the application of research evidence to clinical practice and health policy. She has contributed to publications in international journals, including Birth, BMJ Open, and Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America.
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Erza completed dual Bachelor's degrees in Public Administration from University College Lillebaelt, Denmark, and Public Service Management from the International Business College Mitrovica, Kosovo. She subsequently earned an MSc in Digital Health Systems with Distinction from the University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom, and is currently completing a PhD in Digital and Robotic Healthcare at Martin Luther University, Germany.
Erza is a digital health researcher, educator, and innovation leader with expertise in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and healthcare systems. She currently serves as Executive Director of ICR Lab, a research centre focused on AI, digital health, and social robotics, where she leads research and innovation initiatives, develops strategic partnerships, and advances collaboration between academia, healthcare institutions, and industry. In parallel, she contributes to international research on digital health policy and AI governance through the Digital Transformations for Health Lab and serves as Lecturer at Heimerer College, where she teaches digital health and emerging technologies in healthcare. Since 2021, Erza has been a Research Associate with the Evidence Synthesis Group, contributing to evidence synthesis, health systems research, and consultancy projects for national and international partners. Her work spans digital health, health policy, antimicrobial stewardship, maternal health, and health systems strengthening, with a particular focus on translating research evidence into policy and practice.
Erza's research interests include digital health, artificial intelligence in healthcare, health systems innovation, health policy, and evidence-based decision-making. Methodologically, her work combines evidence synthesis, implementation research, qualitative methods, and digital health evaluation. She has contributed to publications in international journals, including BMJ Open, BMC Public Health, Journal of Psychosomatic Research, AJOG Global Reports, and Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America.
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