Farouk Dako

Farouk Dako, MD, MPH, is an Associate Professor of Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine. He serves as the Director of Global and Population Health Research in Radiology and is the Nigeria Program Director and Board Member of RAD-AID International. His work spans cardiothoracic radiology, artificial intelligence in imaging, and health equity, with a strong focus on improving healthcare delivery and cancer care in underserved communities, particularly in Africa.

• Associate Professor of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania
• Director, Global and Population Health Research, Radiology
• Nigeria Program Director, RAD-AID International
• Board Member, RAD-AID International
• Specialization: Cardiothoracic Radiology, AI in Radiology, Global Health Imaging

Dr. Dako’s research focuses on leveraging data-driven, community-engaged approaches to address disparities in cardiovascular disease and cancer care. His work emphasizes the integration of artificial intelligence and digital imaging solutions in low-resource settings, particularly in Nigeria and other African countries. He is deeply involved in capacity-building, radiology education, and the implementation of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) to strengthen diagnostic infrastructure.

His recent publications reveal a consistent theme of innovation in global radiology, with a strong emphasis on AI applications, federated learning, sustainable MRI access, and ethical considerations in global health imaging. These works reflect interdisciplinary collaboration and a commitment to scalable, equitable solutions in medical imaging.

Dr. Dako leads and co-directs several educational initiatives, including the Penn Radiology Global Health Imaging Case Competition for trainees in low- and middle-income countries. His leadership in global health mentorship and training underscores his dedication to developing the next generation of radiologists for global service.

He has been instrumental in multiple research and implementation projects aimed at improving radiology access and quality in Africa. These include PACS installation, AI integration, and sustainable imaging frameworks, reflecting a holistic approach to health systems strengthening.