Biography
Rigo is a bioethicist, theologian, and faith leader whose expertise spans bioethics, public health ethics, global health ethics, healthcare, moral theory, and both qualitative and quantitative research. He brings a strong foundation in teaching, advising, and mentorship, fostering the development of ethically informed leaders across diverse disciplines.
Rigo's work is driven by a deep commitment to exploring the intersections of bioethics, public health, global health equity, and community engagement. Through this lens, Rigo seeks to inspire cognitive, moral, and ethical shifts that enhance holistic well-being. He draws on the frameworks of Global Health and Social Medicine to advance research, education, and innovation, with a focus on the ethical foundations of emerging health and healthcare technologies.
Dedicated to addressing systemic inequities, Rigo advocates for the equitable distribution of health resources, prioritizing underserved communities. His mission is to ensure that the benefits of medical innovation are guided by justice and compassion, enabling all people to access the care they need to thrive.
Research
Thesis title: 'Justice Beyond Discovery: Reimagining Health Research Funding to Address Inequities in Access to Innovation'
Rigo's research critically analyzes how Justice (understood as the constant and perpetual will to render each person their due) is conceptualized and applied in contemporary health research funding processes. It explores how decision-makers address Justice when funding proposals for equitable access to innovative therapies.
Through historical analysis, the study reveals that while health research funding has driven innovation, it has struggled to resolve ethical and equity challenges in access to resulting drugs and therapies. By tracing Justice’s evolution from religious origins to present-day government, corporate, and philanthropic entities, the thesis argues that evolving conceptions of Justice remain insufficient for overcoming persistent inequities.
Using leading Justice theories and qualitative interviews with public and private funders, the research identifies the structural and conceptual barriers to integrating Justice and offers strategies to promote more equitable and inclusive distribution of health research benefits.
PhD supervision
- Principal supervisor: Dr Mark Ecclestion-Turner
- Secondary supervisor: Dr Gabrielle Samuel