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Merennage Salgado

Miss Merennage Salgado

(she/her)

Teams and roles for Merennage Salgado

Overview

I am a second-year PhD student at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University, UK, where my research focuses on strengthening global immunisation supply chains through hybrid AI-based forecasting and inventory optimisation. Supported by an EPSRC studentship, my work integrates probabilistic modelling and domain-specific insights to improve vaccine availability and equity in low- and middle-income countries.

With experience in data science, machine learning, and applied forecasting, I have contributed to large-scale AI/ML solutions in industry as well as academic consulting projects. Alongside my PhD, I manage social activities at the Data Lab for Social Good, helping build community engagement and promote collaborative research. I am passionate about leveraging data-driven methods to address global health and social good challenges.

 

Supervision Team

  • Lead: Prof. Bahman Rostami-Tabar, Professor of Analytics and Decision Sciences, Data Lab for Social Good Research Group, Cardiff Business School, UK
  • Co: Dr Thanos E Goltsos, Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Management Science, Cardiff Business School, UK
  • Co: Dr. Paul Wang, Programme Director of MSc Logistics and Operations Management, Cardiff Business School, UK
  • Co: Dr. Geraint Palmer, Senior Lecturer in Operational Research, School of Mathematics, Cardiff University, UK
  • Collaborator: Laila Ahadi Akhlaghi, Senior Technical Advisor at John Snow Inc. (JSI)

Funder

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Research

My research focuses on global immunisation supply chains, vaccine demand forecasting, and hybrid AI models for decision-making in public health. I am particularly interested in integrating probabilistic forecasting, machine learning, and operations research to address challenges in routine immunisation, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

I am passionate about developing data-driven methods that improve equity, access, and resilience within healthcare systems. My work spans time-series modelling, inventory optimisation, and health supply chain analytics, with a strong emphasis on real-world application and social impact.

Current PhD Project

Enhancing Global Immunisation Supply Chains through Hybrid AI-Driven Forecasting and Inventory Optimisation

Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University
Funding: EPSRC Studentship Award (2024–2028) 

My PhD research develops a digital decision-support framework that integrates:

  • Probabilistic forecasting models
  • Domain-specific knowledge from immunisation programmes
  • Non-monetary welfare metrics such as missed opportunities, cold chain constraints, and service accessibility
  • Inventory optimisation approaches tailored to volatile and under-reported vaccine consumption data

The goal is to create a robust hybrid intelligence system that can improve forecast accuracy, reduce stockouts, and enhance routine immunisation performance globally.

This project is conducted in collaboration with John Snow, Inc. (JSI), a leading global public health organisation working to strengthen immunisation systems worldwide.

Why This Research Matters

Reliable vaccine forecasts are essential for ensuring that every child receives the right vaccine at the right time. Yet many LMICs face challenges such as:

  • Undocumented or unrecorded demand
  • Data quality limitations
  • Complex supply chain dynamics
  • Resource constraints that limit planning effectiveness

By combining AI-driven forecasting with contextual, programmatic insights, my work aims to support ministries of health, global partners, and supply chain managers in making more accurate and equitable decisions.

Ultimately, I am motivated by the opportunity to apply data science for social good, helping to improve health outcomes and reduce preventable inequities in immunisation coverage.

Biography

Education

  • 2024 – Present:  PhD in Business Management (Global Immunisation Supply Chains), Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University, UK
    EPSRC Studentship Award; research on hybrid AI models for vaccine forecasting and inventory optimisation.
  • 2019 – 2023:  BSc (Hons) in Statistics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
    Second Class Upper Division; GPA 3.64/4.00; A+ dissertation on machine learning for tooth anomaly detection.
  • 2015: Diploma in Software Engineering, Esoft Metro Campus, Sri Lanka
    Training in OOP, SDLC, Java, C#, and application development.

Honours and awards

  • 2025: Winner, NATCOR Coding Challenge, Stochastic Modelling Course, Lancaster, UK
  • 2024: EPSRC Studentship Award, Cardiff Business School, UK 
  • 2024: Bronze Award (Medicine & Pharmacy Category), Sahasak Nimavum National Inventions and Innovations Competition 2023, Sri Lanka
  • 2022: Most Outstanding Club Service Initiative – Gold Award, 31st Rotaract District Assembly, Sri Lanka

Professional memberships

  • Student Member: International Institute of Forecasters (IIF)
  • Student Member: The Operational Research Society (The OR Society)
  • Member: Women in Data Science (WiDS) Global
  • Member: R-Ladies Colombo (2024)

Academic positions

  • Oct 2025 - Present: Graduate Tutor

Contact Details

Email [email protected]

Campuses Aberconway Building, Room C52, Colum Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF10 3EU

Research themes

Specialisms

  • Forecasting for Social Good
  • Time Series Forecasting
  • Data Driven Forecasting
  • Sustainable supply chain management