Akshaya Bhagavathula

Professor

Faculty

Public Health School of Health Systems and Innovation

Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula

Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula, PharmD, PhD is Professor of Epidemiology at North Dakota State University and an IHME Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Lead Collaborator. His research focuses on digital epidemiology, AI and digital health technologies, pharmacoepidemiology, infodemiology, and population health analytics. He has authored more than 350 peer-reviewed publications with over 100,000 citations.

Dr. Bhagavathula's work integrates epidemiologic methods, biostatistics, health informatics, and data science to evaluate health risks, validate AI tools, strengthen disease surveillance, and improve evidence generation for public health decision-making. His research spans causal inference, spatial and spatiotemporal modeling, real-world data analytics, and digital health innovation.

He serves as Associate Editor of the Annals of Epidemiology and has contributed to global public health initiatives with the World Health Organization (WHO), USAID, UNICEF, and Médecins Sans Frontières across more than two dozen countries. He is also the author of "The Denominator: Some People Are Counted. Most Are Not.," a book exploring the role of data, measurement, and evidence in shaping public health and society. An award-winning educator and mentor, he is committed to training the next generation of epidemiologists and advancing the translation of research into policy and practice.

Areas of Study & Research

  • Epidemiology Methods
  • Digital Epidemiology
  • Artificial Intelligence in Health Systems
  • Pharmacoepidemiology
  • Population Health Analytics
  • Health Data Science
  • Health Informatics and Digital Health
  • Infodemiology & Infoveillance
  • Spatial and Spatiotemporal Epidemiology
  • Biostatistics and Causal Inference

Courses Taught

  • PH 474: Epidemiology (3 Credits)
  • PH 731: Biostatistics (3 Credits)
  • PH 750: Epidemiology I (2 Credits)
  • PH 752: Epidemiology II (2 Credits)
  • HMA 750: AI in Health Systems (3 Credits)

Previous Work

Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA (2023- March 2026)
Associate Editor, New Emirates Medical Journal, Emirates Medical Association, Dubai, UAE (2019-2021)
Assistant Professor, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Ethiopia (2013-2018)

Awards & Honors

  • Best Master Teacher Award, College of Health & Human Sciences, North Dakota State University (2026)
  • Excellence in Advising and Mentoring Award, College of Health & Human Sciences, North Dakota State University (2025)
  • Mentor of Award-Winning Trainee, Dr. Ahmed Al Qady, recipient of the American College of Gastroenterology Outstanding Research Award in Colorectal Cancer Prevention (2025)
  • APHA Health Informatics and Information Technology Leadership Award, Section Counsellor (2024)
  • Innovation in Teaching Award, North Dakota State University (2024)
  • Outstanding Author Award for "Telehealth Adoption for Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders in Minnesota and North Dakota: A Quasi-Experimental Study," mHealth (2024)
  • Legal Epidemiology Fellow, Temple University Center for Public Health Law Research (2024)
  • Stanford-Elsevier Top 2% Scientist in Clinical Medicine and Public Health (2021, 2023, 2024, 2025)
  • Editorial Board Member, Annals of Epidemiology and JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (2023-Present)
  • Board Member, American College of Epidemiology (2024-2025)
  • Invited Expert and Contributor to the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and BBC

Professional Associations

  • Fellow, Royal Statistical Society
  • Fellow, American College of Epidemiology (FACE)
  • Board Member, American College of Epidemiology (2024-2025)
  • Lead Collaborator, Global Burden of Disease Study, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME)
  • Member, International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE)
  • Member, Society of Public Health Education (SOPHE)
  • Member, Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER)
  • Member, International Epidemiological Association (IEA)

Links

Education

  • 2022-2023, Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Public Health & Technology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
  • 2022, Doctor of Philosophy, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, United Arab Emirates University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • 2012, Doctor of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, India
  • 2009, Bachelor of Pharmacy, The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, India

Publications

Selected Publications

h-index = 85, i-10 index = 227

Complete list: Google Scholar | PubMed

1. Shegena EA, Kiflu M, Ahmed M, Bhagavathula AS, Abegaz TM. Nonadherence to GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Among Individuals With Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Obes Rev. 2026 Jul 26:e70200. doi: 10.1111/obr.70200.

2. Ellenberg E, Ellenberg N, Bhagavathula A, Ingber A, Katorza E, Ramot Y. Model-based attribution of biologic effectiveness in psoriasis: Drug vs context contributions. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2026 Jul 15:S0190-9622(26)03104-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2026.07.030.

3. Abegaz TM, Frietze G, Bhagavathula AS, Ali AA. Cost-Effectiveness of Tirzepatide for the Management of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction and Obesity. JACC Heart Fail. 2026 Aug;14(8):103060. doi: 10.1016/j.jchf.2026.103060.

4. Allahqoli L, Karimzadeh A, Kazemi Abadi A, Aghamohammadi SZ, Hakimi S, Rahmani A, Fallahi A, Salehiniya H, Laganà AS, Bhagavathula AS, Ghiyasvand M. Diagnostic accuracy of ovarian cancer using convolutional neural network: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2026 Apr 18;26(1):191. doi: 10.1186/s12911-026-03462-9.

5. Abegaz TM, Ahmed M, Bhagavathula AS, Frietze G. Association between GLP-1 receptor agonist use and substance use disorders among individuals with type 2 diabetes or obesity: a nested case-control study in the All of Us research program. Front Psychiatry. 2026 Mar 10;17:1766770. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1766770.

6. Ellenberg E, Weber M, Weiss A, Katorza E, Bhagavathula A. Individual causal attribution in occupational disease claims: a structured epidemiological approach. Isr J Health Policy Res. 2026 Feb 27;15(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s13584-026-00752-5.

7. Bhagavathula AS, Aldhaleei WA, Abegaz TM. Trends and projections of overweight and obesity among midlife women in the United States, 1990-2050: A sub‑study of the Global Burden of Disease 2021. Womens Health (Lond). 2026 Jan-Dec;22:17455057261430197. doi: 10.1177/17455057261430197.

8. Abegaz TM, Ahmed M, Bhagavathula AS, Frietze G. Association between GLP-1 receptor agonist use and substance use disorders among individuals with type 2 diabetes or obesity: a nested case-control study in the All of Us research program. Front Psychiatry. 2026 Mar 10;17:1766770. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1766770.

9. Bhagavathula AS. Artificial intelligence and natural language processing of patient narratives to evaluate semaglutide for weight loss. Ann Epidemiol. 2025 Nov;111:9-13. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2025.09.003.

10. Bhagavathula AS, Krishnan D, Chu MB. Association Between Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Exposure and LDL Cholesterol in US Adults: Evidence From NHANES. Lipids. 2025 Sep 6. doi: 10.1002/lipd.70008.

11. Bhagavathula AS. Spatiotemporal Clustering of Premature Heart Failure Mortality Across U.S. Counties, 2000-2023. JACC Heart Fail. 2025 Jul 10;13(9):102559. doi: 10.1016/j.jchf.2025.102559.

12. Bhagavathula AS, Al Qady AM, Aldhaleei WA. Diagnostic accuracy and quality of artificial intelligence models in irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review. World J Gastroenterol. 2025 Jun 21;31(23):106836. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v31.i23.106836.

13. Bhagavathula AS, Akomaning E, Osei SP, Griechen MA. Racial and Social Vulnerability Hotspots in Premature Heart Failure Mortality Across US Counties. Circ Heart Fail. 2025 Jun;18(6):e012889. doi: 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.125.012889. PMID: 40171651.

14. Bhagavathula AS, Abegaz TM, Khubchandani J, Choi BJ. Knowledge, access, and possession of naloxone (Narcan) among U.S. adults: A nationwide survey 2023. Am J Addict. 2025 Mar 25. doi: 10.1111/ajad.70031.

15. Aldhaleei WA, Wallace MB, Bi Yan, Husk A, Bhagavathula AS. Racial, Ethnic and Geographic Disparities in Digestive Diseases Mortality in the United States, 2000-2019. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2025 Jan;23(1):59-68.e16. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2024.07.035.

Presentations

1. Bhagavathula AS. Evaluating the Impact of Telehealth Payment Parity Policies on Substance Use Disorder Treatment Utilization in Medicaid: A Quasi-Experimental Study, 2018–2022. Annual Conference of the American College of Epidemiology, Pasadena LA, California. September 7-10, 2025 (Poster presentation)

2. Bhagavathula AS, Li J, Mueller K. Overdose Deaths Predict Naloxone Searches: A Granger Causality Study. Annual Conference of the American College of Epidemiology, Pasadena LA, California. September 7-10, 2025 (Poster presentation)

3. Batarseh M, Elmustafa F, Waheed H, Alqady A, Bhagavathula A, Aldhaleei W, Bi Y. Diagnostic performance of stool molecular testing for detecting resistance to different antibiotics in helicobacter pylori: a systematic review. Digestive Disease Week 2025. San Diego, CA. May 3–6, 2025 (Poster presentation)

4. Bhagavathula AS. U.S. state-level trends and disparities in Opioid use disorders: A U.S. Health Disparities study 1990-2050. APHA-Epidemiology, Minneapolis, MN September 26-30, 2024. (Oral presentation)

5. Bhagavathula AS. Racial/Ethnic disparities in Clinical trial invitation and Participation: Insights from HINTS 2022 study. APHA-Epidemiology, Minneapolis, MN September 26-30, 2024. (Oral presentation)

6. Edwin Akomaning, Samuel Prince Osei, Bhagavathula AS. GLP-1-RAs effectively manages glycemic control but may cause GI adverse events. Little is known about GI risk among women using GLP-1 RAs for weight loss. APHA-Epidemiology, Minneapolis, MN September 26-30, 2024. (Poster presentation)

7. Edwin Akomaning, Samuel Prince Osei, Bhagavathula AS. Semaglutide Use Associated with Gastrointestinal Adverse Events: Analysis of US FDA Data. APHA-Epidemiology, Minneapolis, MN September 26-30, 2024. (Poster presentation)

8. Edwin Akomaning, Samuel Prince Osei, Bhagavathula AS. Semaglutide Use Associated with Gastrointestinal Adverse Events: Analysis of US FDA Data. APHA-Epidemiology, Minneapolis, MN September 26-30, 2024. (Poster presentation)

9. Samuel Prince Osei, Edwin Akomaning, Bhagavathula AS. Rising Tide: The Alarming Upward Trajectory of Heart Failure Mortality in North Dakota from 2000 to 2020. APHA, Minneapolis, MN. APHA, Minneapolis, MN September 26-30, 2024 (Poster presentation)

10. Samuel Prince Osei, Edwin Akomaning, Bhagavathula AS. T Sex-Specific Coronary Heart Disease mortality trajectories in North Dakota from 2000 to 2020: Progress and Pitfalls. NDSU Graduate Research Symposium, Fargo, ND April 10, 2024 (Poster presentation)

11. Bhagavathula AS. U.S. state-level trends and disparities in Amphetamine use disorders: A U.S. Health Disparities study 1990-2050. APHA-Epidemiology, Minneapolis, MN September 26-30, 2024. (Oral presentation)

12. Samuel Prince Osei, Edwin Akomaning, Bhagavathula AS. Rising Tide: The Alarming Upward Trajectory of Heart Failure Mortality in North Dakota from 2000 to 2020. APHA, Minneapolis, MN. APHA, Minneapolis, MN September 26-30, 2024 (Poster presentation)

13. Samuel Prince Osei, Edwin Akomaning, Bhagavathula AS. Sex Disparities persist in North Dakota Stroke Mortality despite overall declines from 2000 to 2020. APHA, Minneapolis, MN September 26-30, 2024. (Oral presentation)

14. Samuel Prince Osei, Edwin Akomaning, Bhagavathula AS. Trends and Racial Disparities in Heart Failure Mortality in the United States from 2010-2020. ACE Epidemiology, Ohio, OH September 8-11, 2024. (Poster presentation).

15. Bhagavathula AS. Investigating Telehealth for Medicaid Substance use disorders and Mental Health Services. Annual Conference of the American College of Epidemiology, Columbus, OH, Sep 8–11, 2024. (Poster presentation)

16. Osei S, Akoming E, Bhagavathula AS Trends and racial disparities of heart failure mortality in the United States. Annual Conference of the American College of Epidemiology, Columbus, OH, Sep 8–11, 2024. (Poster presentation)

17. Akoming E, Osei S, Bhagavathula AS. Trends and racial disparities of stroke mortality in the United States. Annual Conference of the American College of Epidemiology, Columbus, OH, Sep 8–11, 2024. (Poster presentation)

18. Bhagavathula AS, Aldhaleei WA. JYNNEOS vaccine safety during 2022 MPOX outbreak (Oral presentation presentation). American Public Health Conference, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA, Nov 13–15, 2023

19. Bhagavathula AS, Aldhaleei WA. Trends and Disparities in Medicare Telehealth Use in the US from 2020-2022. American Public Health Conference, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA, Nov 13–15, 2023. (Oral presentation)

20. Bhagavathula AS, Aldhaleei WA, Hummig B. Alcohol & Substance use among working age group: A nationwide study of fall-related ED visits. American Public Health Conference, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA, Nov 13–15, 2023 (Poster presentation)