​Pictured above: Dr. Lawrence Mbuagbaw, Director of the Biostatistics Unit at The Research Institute at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and Associate Professor of Research Methodology at McMaster University

By: Natasha Voogd, Public Affairs Specialist, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

It was graduation day. As associate professor of Research Methodology, Dr. Lawrence Mbuagbaw's students requested that he hood them, a special recognition for receiving a master's degree or PhD. When he arrived ahead of the ceremony, security directed him to the students' area, assuming he was not a faculty member. 

"It was a little uncomfortable they assumed I was a student without even asking or me saying anything," he says. Unfortunately, being disregarded as researcher and faculty member because he is Black was not unique for Dr. Mbuagbaw.

Dr. Mbuagbaw is the director of the Biostatistics Unit at The Research Institute at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and associate professor of Research Methodology at McMaster University. Dr. Mbuagbaw has authored over 250 peer-reviewed publications and technical reports on national and international organizations. Currently, he is conducting research on optimizing outcomes with the HIV care continuum in Ontario, factors associated with key outcomes of HIV in first and second generation African, Caribbean and Black people, alongside other studies.

Born and raised in Cameroon, Dr. Mbuagbaw completed medical school close to his hometown where he started his medical career. However, while practicing, he became more and more intrigued with research.  

Dr. Mbuagbaw connected with researchers in South Africa who review scientific research papers, which launched him into a new chapter in his career. "I started with Cochrane, a network that turns evidence generated through research into useful information for making everyday decisions about health. That's when I realized I didn't want to practice anymore as a physician. I was more interested in doing research with a public health lens," says Dr. Mbuagbaw.

"One of the things I'm particularly proud of is my contribution to the CADTH Health Technology Expert Review Panel. It's a carefully selected panel of only six members, representing all of Canada," says Mbuagbaw. "We make recommendations on non-drug health technologies to inform a range of stakeholders within the Canadian health care system. I am honoured to be on the panel. It's work I enjoy, and it's impactful."

The pursuit of equitable research

The Black community is underrepresented in health research. From an academic lens, part of the concern is that opportunities for upcoming Black researchers do not present themselves. "For example, when you get into a graduate program, students need to find a supervisor," says Dr. Mbuagbaw. "The pool of Black researchers is limited, therefore it's hard for students to find supervisors who understand the context of public health in Black communities and are able to support students with such interests."

Dr. Mbuagbaw is no stranger to being the only Black person on medical panels – and sometimes even in the room. "It's not to say there's no Black excellence. It's the procedure with which people are identified to occupy certain positions or give talks that is not always equitable and may be aggravated by tokenism.

What needs to shift? Dr. Mbuagbaw says when it comes to providing an accurate portrayal of the Black community in research studies, a key factor is that the proportion of participants matches the population in the area the study is being led. "If Black people aren't showing up for studies, researchers need to ask themselves why," says Dr. Mbuagbaw. "Are they advertising their studies in places frequented by their target audience? Do they feature Black people in the ads? Is their research implementation accommodating people with concerns like transportation and daycare? All these accommodations need to be made so you can get that diversity in your study." Diversity improves the external validity of research.

Dr. Mbuagbaw believes the health care system can help guide Black excellence in health research. He encourages pushing for dedicated or targeted research, promoting diversity, and ensuring that the decision-making and implementation processes do not exclude Black people. "There needs to be an impetus for researchers to answer not the obvious or popular questions that will get them funded, but answering the questions that matter to people who need health care the most – to focus on minorities and diversity, simply because they are lagging behind for avoidable reasons." Dr. Mbuagbaw's knowledge and advocacy are clear through his work and determination to integrate equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the research process. This includes co-chairing a community of practice for inclusive teaching, delivering workshops on health equity, and being a member of the Ontario Hospital Association Anti-Racism Taskforce.

Words of wisdom for aspiring Black researchers

His advice for Black Canadians aspiring to be researchers?

"Being open," he says. "Let people know what your concerns are because as much as [Black people] try to blend in, we're unique, and our uniqueness is forgotten because we're trying to blend in. We need to maintain our identities, values and culture while successfully integrating into society."

Take a read through papers Dr. Mbuagbaw published around Tips for Charting the Course of a Successful Health Research Career, and What to Worry and What Not to Worry About for Junior Faculty.

Learn more about Dr. Lawrence Mbuagbaw and his work on his website.