A Career Shaped by APTI 
My name is Dr. Thomas Hormenu, and I am honoured to share my journey as a health promotion expert and cardiometabolic epidemiologist working to address one of Africa’s most pressing health challenges: the epidemic of type 2 diabetes (T2D). My work, grounded in both research and advocacy, has been profoundly shaped by the transformative support of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) through the  African Postdoctoral Training Initiative (APTI).
A Career Shaped by APTI
My journey began with a growing awareness of the silent epidemics of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, that are increasingly affecting young adults in Ghana. During my PhD studies in Health Promotion at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), I focused on establishing baseline data on the health behaviours of adolescents. This critical period of life, where lifelong behaviours are formed, revealed alarming trends: unhealthy dietary habits, physical inactivity, and substance abuse were widespread among in-school adolescents.
Despite government health promotion programs, these trends persisted. This realization solidified my commitment to addressing the root causes of NCDs through evidence-based, culturally relevant interventions.
Transformative Training at the NIH
In 2018, I was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship through the APTI programme, a collaboration between the AAS, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). This fellowship was a turning point. For two years, I worked under the mentorship of Dr Anne E. Sumner at the Diabetes and Obesity branch of the NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
At the NIH, I gained invaluable expertise in cardiometabolic disease epidemiology, diabetes diagnosis, and lifestyle interventions. My research focused on the social determinants of cardiometabolic health, particularly how cultural identity, behaviour, and socioeconomic factors influence physiologic stress and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks in African immigrants.
These experiences provided me with advanced skills in measuring stress (using the allostatic load score), assessing lifestyle and behaviour, and calculating CVD risks. This knowledge would become the foundation for my work in Ghana.
Bringing the APTI Vision to Life
Returning to Ghana under the APTI initiative, I was determined to translate my NIH training into actionable solutions for Africa’s diabetes epidemic. APTI provided the critical support I needed:

• Establishing Research Infrastructure: With seed funding from APTI, I established the Cardiometabolic Epidemiology Research Lab at UCC. This facility is equipped with state-of-the-art tools for glucose analysis, lipid profiling, and haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) testing. These resources are enabling groundbreaking research into diabetes and its comorbidities.
• Conducting Transformative Research: I am currently leading a prospective cohort study to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes in Ghana. The study focuses on culturally sensitive lifestyle interventions to promote diabetes remission and prevention.
• Fostering Collaboration: APTI funding has enabled me to build collaborative networks with experts in academia, clinicians, and health professionals across Africa. Together, we are developing innovative, Africa-centric interventions to combat diabetes and its associated health challenges.

The Role of Lifestyle Interventions
My research focuses on a critical question: Can culturally tailored lifestyle interventions reverse type 2 diabetes in newly diagnosed individuals? Evidence from developed countries suggests that diabetes remission is possible through diet and physical activity. My goal is to adapt these findings to African contexts, creating cost-effective, sustainable interventions that address the unique needs of local populations.
These interventions are particularly urgent in the context of Africa’s high burden of infectious diseases like COVID-19 and malaria, whose severity is often exacerbated by underlying conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Early diagnosis and management of diabetes can significantly reduce these risks, improving overall health outcomes.
Empowering the Next Generation
One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey has been mentoring young researchers and students at UCC. Through the APTI programme, I have been able to:

• Train a team of emerging scientists in advanced research methods, ensuring the sustainability of our work.
• Inspire students—particularly women—to pursue careers in health sciences, fostering diversity in STEM fields.
• Advocate for policy changes that prioritize funding for NCD research and community-based interventions.

The Broader Impact of APTI
The APTI initiative, implemented by AAS in partnership with the NIH and BMGF, is revolutionizing African science. By providing funding, mentorship, and global exposure, APTI is building a cadre of African researchers equipped to address the continent’s most pressing challenges in global health. Key outcomes include:

1. Building Institutional Capacity: APTI fellows return to their home institutions with advanced skills and resources, strengthening local research ecosystems.
2. Fostering Global Collaboration: By bridging African and international research communities, APTI ensures that African science is competitive on the global stage.
3. Driving Policy Change: APTI empowers researchers to engage with policymakers, translating research into actionable solutions.

Looking Ahead
Thanks to APTI, I am better equipped than ever to tackle Ghana’s diabetes epidemic. My vision is to create a sustainable model for community screening, early diagnosis, and lifestyle interventions that can be scaled across Africa.
This journey has been one of resilience, opportunity, and transformation. With the continued support of programs like APTI, I am confident that African researchers will lead the way in addressing the continent’s health challenges, one step at a time.
 
About APTI

The African Postdoctoral Training Initiative (APTI) is a flagship programme of the African Academy of Sciences. APTI aims to develop Africa’s research capacity by training early-career scientists and equipping APTI fellows with the tools to address global health challenges and drive innovation in their home countries.