Dr Raywat Deonandan is a Global Health Epidemiologist and Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa. He is a former Chief Scientist with the Canadian federal government, and an award-winning writer. In addition to skills in research, his strengths are media engagement, policy advising, oral presenting, and explaining technical concepts to a non-technical audience. Dr Deonandan is highly decorated scholar and communicator, having won the national book award of the nation of Guyana, been named the best teaching professor in the province by the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations, and having been appointed to the position of Senior Fellow of Massey College at the University of Toronto. Dr Deonandan provides consulting services to governments, media, non-profits, and commercial interests. His services include the conduct of systematic reviews, the preparation of scientific reports for a variety of audiences, providing training in research rigour and science communication, and policy advice. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Deonandan has been a regular voice on international media, providing insight and analysis for the lay public, as well as to government agencies, legal counsel, labour unions, political parties, drug companies, and large businesses.