Baraka Muvuka is a public health scientist, educator, and global health expert with a strong commitment to health equity, socio-structural determinants of health, and community empowerment. Drawing from her lived and professional experiences in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Philippines, and United States, she brings a rich combination of cultural insight, professional expertise, and multilingual fluency. Baraka holds a PhD in Public Health Sciences with a concentration in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences from the University of Louisville and a Master of Public Health in Global Health from Liberty University. She currently serves as a Professor, Director of Research, and Co-Director of the Urban Medicine Program at Indiana University School of Medicine–Northwest, where she leads community- and health system–engaged research rooted in participatory and equity-centered approaches. Her global health work spans maternal and child health, health systems strengthening, and capacitybuilding initiatives across sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the DRC. Her enduring connection to the DRC is reflected in her academic partnerships and mentorship, which nurture emerging leaders dedicated to advancing transformative social change.
