Immunopaedia Ambassadors – Africa
Our Ambassadors from across the African continent.
What is your name?
Courage Chandipwisa
What is your current position:
Researcher-Viral Vaccine
Which institute and country do you work in?
Vaccine Production, National Veterinary Research Institute, Plateau state, Nigeria
What is your home country?
Zimbabwe
What are your research interests?
Vaccine Development and Immunology, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Zoonotic Diseases, Impact of Climate Change on Infectious Disease Patterns
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I hold an MSc Vaccine Production and Quality Control and an undergraduate, Doctor of Veternary Medicine. I am a dedicated veterinarian and researcher with extensive experience in vaccine development and infectious disease research. My focus includes producing vaccines for Tuberculosis, HIV, Malaria, and Anthrax, alongside conducting immunogenicity testing and efficacy studies. With a strong background in vaccine production and quality control, I have worked on several vaccine development projects across various pathogens.
My research interests are primarily in vaccine development and immunology, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in zoonotic diseases, and the impact of climate change on infectious disease patterns. I am passionate about exploring innovative tools to assess immune responses and long-term protection after vaccination. Furthermore, I am committed to understanding how environmental changes influence disease spread and resistance, aiming to devise interventions that will improve global health outcomes.
Currently, I am engaged IN research, contributing to scientific progress in the field of infectious disease vaccines.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn – Dr. Courage Chandipwisa
Immunology Keywords:
Immune Responses, Antigen Presentation, Immunogenicity
What is your name?
Karen Sichibalo
What is your current position:
PhD student
Which institute and country do you work in?
Department of Cellular Microbiology, Research Center Borstel-Leibniz Lung Center (FZB) and Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group (TROPGAN), Zambia
What is your home country?
Zambia
What are your research interests?
Immunology, Virology, Microbiology
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I have a growing interest in infectious diseases and host-directed therapy. Currently, I am investigating the clinical impact of vitamin D in people living with HIV, particularly those co-infected with tuberculosis, as these diseases pose significant health challenges in Zambia and Sub-Saharan Africa. I am in the final year of my doctoral studies at the University of Lübeck and the Research Center Borstel. My PhD thesis is focusing on the effects of high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation on innate immunity and antimicrobial responses in adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV that are currently taking part in the randomized double blinded clinical trial called VITALITY. With a growing interest in the field of immunology, microbiology and Virology as well as the use of host-directed therapies, I am dedicated to contributing to the global fight against HIV and tuberculosis especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where the two diseases are a huge burden.
What are your online profiles?
ResearchGate – Karen Sichibalo
LinkedIn – Karen Sichibalo
X – @KarenSichibalo
Immunology Keywords:
Innate Immunity, Immune modulation, antimicrobial responses
What is your name?
Mizinga Jacqueline Tembo
What is your current position:
Laboratory research scientist
Which institute and country do you work in?
TROPGAN, Lusaka, Zambia
What is your home country?
Zambia
What are your research interests?
Immunology, HIV, nutrition
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am a biomedical scientist, researcher, and postgraduate student who is currently pursuing an online master’s degree in Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. I am currently employed under the VITALITY research project, a randomised clinical trial that is investigating the impact of high dosage vitamin D supplementation on bone development in HIV-infected adolescents. I am also involved in the SAMPA research project, a nutrition-based study that is assessing long-term pancreatic health after Severe Acute Malnutrition in children and adults. My passion for immunology stems from the intricate ways the immune system functions and its multi-faceted role, from developing vaccines to treating infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. My research areas of interest include HIV, vaccine immunology, and nutrition. Over the years, I have acquired skills in cell stimulation assays, cell culture, flow cytometry, and multiplex ELISAs.
What are your online profiles?
ResearchGate – Mizinga Tembo
Immunology Keywords:
T cell assays, cytokines, PBMCs
What is your name?
Tégmaba Gnodja
What is your current position:
PhD candidate
Which institute and country do you work in?
Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Senegal
What is your home country?
Togo
What are your research interests?
Immunology, virology, Cancers
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am a Master’s degree holder in immunology and infection from Cheikh Anta Diop University. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in medical and biological analysis at the University of Lomé. I am currently a motivated and dynamic PhD student in immunology at the Cheikh Anta Diop University. I am working on immunology of oncogenic hepatitis including Hepatitis B and C. I appreciate working in a multidisciplinary, enthusiastic and respectful working environment.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn – Tégmaba Gnodja
ResearchGate – Gnodja TÉGMABA
Immunology Keywords:
Cytometry, cell culture, immunogenic
What is your name?
Faith Oluwamakinde
What is your current position:
Postgraduate Student
Which institute and country do you work in?
Medical Immunology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
What is your home country?
South Africa
What are your research interests?
Immuno-oncology, Immunotherapy, B-cell function
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am a future Medical Immunologist who is passionate about medical research in the fields of oncology & Immunotherapy. I am currently a Postgraduate student studying in the field of Medical Immunology where we are focusing on both diagnostic and molecular research on different topics. My goal is to pursue a career in Cancer related topics like Immunotherapy where genetics and immunological therapies and infectious diseases come together. I am passionate about helping people in ways and solutions that are challenging for future generations. Research has shown me many ways in which treatments and aids can be different from conventional therapies. Being able to make a difference in people’s lives with each of the solutions is a lifelong goal. I enjoy volunteering for a variety of organisations, including my university, and engaging with patients who have survived cancer, relatives of those who have passed away due to cancer, or even advising and mentoring current patients. My skills include the use of specialized equipment to measure and document results, adherence to procedures and quality standards with a focus on accuracy, multitasking, and the ability to collaborate with others. I am patient-focused, am highly organized, and am proficient in both verbal and written communication.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn – Faith T. Oluwamakinde
Immunology Keywords:
Immunity, Antibodies, Cell function
What is your name?
Abolaji Olagunju
What is your current position:
PhD Student
Which institute and country do you work in?
Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
What is your home country?
Nigeria
What are your research interests?
Immuno-oncology, Vaccine, Cell death
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I have earned my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biochemistry from Ladoke Akintola University and the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, respectively. I am a Doctorate student at the Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. My current research is focused on the evaluation of recombinant live vectors such as bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes) and viruses (adenovirus) as potential candidates for vaccination vectors to induce in vivo antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and elicit an anti-tumor immune response. This study is currently being done in parallel with the cell death pathways by evaluating the involvement of key necroptosis and pyroptosis regulatory (receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) and Caspase 1) and effector (mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein pseudokinase (MLKL) and gasdermin D) molecules.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn – Abolaji Olagunju
Immunology Keywords:
T cells, B cells and Antigen-Presenting cells
What is your name?
Onyeka Chukwudozie
What is your current position:
PhD Candidate
Which institute and country do you work in?
University of California, San Diego, USA
What is your home country?
Nigeria
What are your research interests?
Virology, Immunology and structural biology (Cryo-EM)
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
As a native of Nigeria’s Igbo Tribe, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology and Genetics, specializing in molecular biology, from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of California, San Diego, working in Erica Ollmann Saphire’s Lab at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology. My research involves the fields of immunology, virology, and structural biology to develop long-lasting neutralizing antibodies that are cross-reactive against multiple lineages of Lassa virus. My work focuses on characterizing the human B cell response to LASV vaccination using novel, conformation-specific antigens, which could lead to the establishment of effective Lassa virus vaccines. I am dedicated to advancing our knowledge of viral pathogens and developing effective therapeutics and vaccines to combat them. One of my notable achievements is the use of Cryo-EM to solve the structure of Ebola virus bound to a human antibody. This discovery delineated the mechanism by which a glycan cap-based antibody neutralizes EBOV by disrupting proteolytic cleavage of the glycan shield and mucin domain, thereby inhibiting viral attachment to the NPC1 host receptor. Ultimately, I aim to contribute to the global fight against viral pandemics and improve the health outcomes of vulnerable populations worldwide.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn – Onyeka S. Chukwudozie
ResearchGate – Onyeka Chukwudozie
Immunology Keywords:
Antibody therapeutics, structural immunology, Ebola and Lassa
What is your name?
Brian Munansangu
What is your current position:
PhD Candidate
Which institute and country do you work in?
Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
What is your home country?
Zambia
What are your research interests?
Tuberculosis, Diabetes, Cancer
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am a PhD Candidate in the Immunology Research Group at Stellenbosch University in the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. My research focuses on the immunometabolic profiles of innate and adaptive host cells, with a particular emphasis on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). In addition, we are interested in the immune mechanisms of the host that mediate pathogen protection and escape in the lungs—the site of pulmonary TB disease. My early training was in the field of dentistry at the University of Zambia. However, I’ve always had a passion for immunology, so I switched careers to pursue my passion. Since 2014, my main interest has been research, and I’ve worked on topics addressing ailments such as diabetes, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and currently host immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) disease. In my leisure time, I enjoy playing chess, reading novels on diverse topics such as philosophy, technology and the future, health and nutrition, the arts and culture, and jogging to stay in shape.
What are your online profiles?.
ResearchGate – Brian Munansangu
Immunology Keywords:
Immunometabolism, MDSC, Glycolysis
What is your name?
Ibrahim El Mitri
What is your current position:
Resident Physician
Which institute and country do you work in?
Department of Immunology, Hassan II Hospital, Fez, Morocco
What is your home country?
Morocco
What are your research interests?
Immunodeficiences, Food Allergy, Autoimmunity
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am a resident biologist in my second year in the Department of Immunology. I am interested in immunodeficiencies, food allergies and autoimmunity in the pediatric population. In Morocco, there is little research in these topics and statistics are lacking, so I am drawn to these areas, especially immunodeficiencies. We are noticing a high number of consanguinity prevalence in children with immunodeficiency diseases. Autoimmune diseases have also increased in recent years, such as Celiac disease and Crohn’s disease with many factors implicated including; changing food habits, heredity and environment.
What are your online profiles?.
LinkedIn – Ibrahim El Mitri
Immunology Keywords:
Immunology, Allergy, Autoimmunity
What is your name?
Mberkadji Ngana Salem
What is your current position:
Trainee Scientific Officer
Which institute and country do you work in?
Medical Research Council, The Gambia Unit at LSHTM
What is your home country?
Chad
What are your research interests?
Vaccine, Immunology, Tuberculosis
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am a young scientist/researcher who loves Immunology and Medical research. I graduated with BSc in Medical Biology and MSc in Immunology and infectious diseases at Cheikh Anta Diop University (Dakar/Senegal). My master research project was about “IgG responses against MSP antigen of merozoites of Plasmodium Falciparum with ELISA method”. I am currently trainee with Tuberculosis/Immunology team supervised by Dr Leopold Tientcheu at MRCG at LSHTM (The Gambia), were I developed an interest in Tuberculosis/Immunology. My current project is about ”Impact of Monocytes Differentiation on Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex”. I wish to do a PhD in this field.
What are your online profiles?.
LinkedIn – Mberkadji Ngana
Immunology Keywords:
Monocytes Differentiation, Tuberculosis, Host Directed Therapy
What is your name?
Hylemariam Mihiretie Mengist
What is your current position:
Assistant Professor
Which institute and country do you work in?
PhD fellow in biochemistry and molecular biology at University of Science and Technology of China
Assistant Professor at Department of Medical Lab Science, Debre Markos University, Ethiopia
What is your home country?
Ethiopia
What are your research interests?
Vaccine, Drug, diagnostics
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am passionate in immunology, biochemistry and molecular biology research. My research interests span over pathogenesis, host-pathogen interaction, drug resistance, immune evasion, vaccine and drug design and diagnostics. I intend to apply immunological, molecular biology, biochemical and biophysical tools to decipher the comprehensive pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapeutics of viral , bacterial, parasitic, fungal and genetic diseases.
What are your online profiles?.
LinkedIn – Hylemariam Mihiretie Mengist
Google Scholar – Hylemariam Mihiretie Mengist
ResearchGate – Hylemariam Mihiretie Mengist
Immunology Keywords:
T cells, immunotherapy, immunodiagnostics
What is your name?
Callixte Cyuzuzo
What is your current position:
Assistant Lecturer
Which institute and country do you work in?
Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science,Kibogora Polytechnic University
What is your home country?
Rwanda
What are your research interests?
Immunology to infection, Immuno-oncology, Immuno-transplantation
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I serve as an Assistant Lecturer at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Kibogora Polytechnic University where I teach Advanced Immunology and clinical Immunology and Virology. I hold a BSc in Biotechnology from University of Rwanda, MSc in Immunology from Postgraduate School, Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia and I am currently an active master’s student in Public Health with concentration in Epidemiology at Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia. Sustaining our existence is brittle and hampered by diseases and aging, yet seemingly held together by the aspects, principles and applications of immunology. From that standpoint, I am very much fascinated in various medical fields including but not limited to immunology to infection with much focus on parasitic and viral infections, immuno-oncology, transplantation immunology, immunonutrition, immunoageing, autoimmune diseases, stem cells and tissue engineering, immunodiagnosis and other various aspects of biomedical sciences. My thesis research focused on comparison and characterization of IgG immune responses to Plasmodium berghei Schizont Rich Antigen (PbSAg) and Plasmodium berghei Ring Trophozoite Schizont Gametocyte Antigen (PbRTSGAg) with a purpose of determining malaria vaccine candidates. Furthermore, I am much interested in both in vivo and in vitro researches with keenness of communicating scientific knowledge to the world through publications.
What are your online profiles?.
LinkedIn – Cyuzuzo Callixte
Google Scholar – Cyuzuzo Callixte
Twitter – @CallixteCyuzuzo
Immunology Keywords:
Innate immune cells, vaccine and Immunotherapy
What is your name?
Henok Andualem
What is your current position:
Lecturer
Which institute and country do you work in?
Immunology Unit, Medical Laboratory Science, Debre Tabor University
What is your home country?
Ethiopia
What are your research interests?
Vaccine, cancer immunotherapy, and antibody-based therapy trials
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I received my BSc degree in Medical Laboratory science from Wollo university. I continued my education in medical Immunology at University of Gondar, Ethiopia with research area focusing on characterization of NK cells among HIV patients. During this path, I developed interest in the immune response to vaccine. Then, I have extended my area of research into by flowcytometry the analysis of innate cells including NK, monocytes, and DC, and B cells in response to HBV vaccine aiming to understand changes in sub-optimal response among HIV adults. Both studies are under the supervision of Dr, Rawleigh Howe, Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI). I am highly passionate on new vaccine, cancer immunotherapy, and antibody-based therapy trials.
What are your online profiles?.
LinkedIn – Henok Andualem
ReserachGate – Henok Andualem
Twitter – @henokyaa
Immunology Keywords:
Innate immune cells, vaccine and Immunotherapy
What is your name?
Faisal Nuhu
What is your current position:
PhD Student
Which institute and country do you work in?
Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases-University of Manitoba
What is your home country?
Ghana
What are your research interests?
Immune response to infectious diseases
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am currently a PhD student in the department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at University of Manitoba. My research focuses on the mechanisms of cytokine- associated HIV susceptibility in female genital tract: defining the roles of IL-2 and type I interferon.
What are your online profiles?.
LinkedIn – Faisal Nuhu
Immunology Keywords:
HIV, Cytokines, Inflammation
What is your name?
Frédéric Christian Diaz
What is your current position:
Master Student
Which institute and country do you work in?
University Cheikh Anta DIOP of DAKAR
What is your home country?
Sénégal
What are your research interests?
Immuno-allergology; Immuno-parasitology
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
From a young age, I showed a keen interest in the medical field. Also, after obtaining my baccalaureate, I opted for pharmaceutical studies. After my success in the Senegalese Hospitals Internship Competition and obtaining my State Diploma of Doctor of Pharmacy, Biological Sciences and especially Immunology seduced me. I wanted to go further in acquiring knowledge in immunology. I enrolled in the Master in Immunology and Infection at the University Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar. I have validated the 3 semesters of the master and I am currently preparing my end of master thesis. After obtaining the master’s degree in Immunology, I plan to prepare a Doctorate PhD. My professional plan is to pursue a career as a teacher-researcher.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn – Frédéric DIAZ
Immunology Keywords:
Atopic dermatitis ; Atopic march; Allergy
What is your name?
Feleke Mekonnen
What is your current position:
Assistant Professor
Which institute and country do you work in?
Medical laboratory Sciences, Bahir dar University
What is your home country?
Ethiopia
What are your research interests?
COVID-19,TB/HIV and Arboviruses
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I graduated with Master of Science in Medical Microbiology from University of Gondar, Ethiopia. I have been working in the Bahir dar University and University of Gondar, Department of Medical Microbiology as an instructor and researcher. I was a participant of Immunopaedia course in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. My previous research and work experience relies mostly on infectious and non-infectious diseases such as HIV, TB, Cancer, Diabetes. I have an experience of more than 18 years as medical laboratory technologist at different settings ranging from peripheral health facilities to the regional health research laboratory Center in Amhara region, Ethiopia. I have also worked at USAID funded project MSH/HEAL-TB (Help Ethiopia Address the Low TB performance) for more than 4 and half years, which was dedicated to improve case detection and treatment outcome of TB in Ethiopia. My ultimate goal is to work with research based groups in Infectious and non-infectious diseases, new diagnostic modalities, immunology, new vaccine as well as drug development and digging out new scientific ideas for better clinical and programmatic management of major public health problems.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn – Feleke Mekonnen
Immunology Keywords:
Adaptive immune response, Phagocytosis, Cell mediated immunity
What is your name?
Gloria Mensah
What is your current position:
Research Fellow
Which institute and country do you work in?
Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Ghana
What is your home country?
Ghana
What are your research interests?
Host Immune response to TB, Immunological biomarkers for TB, Immunodiagnostics for paediatric TB
Tell us about yourself and your research interests :
I am a Research Fellow at the Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and a part time lecturer at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghana where I teach veterinary Microbiology. I was previously a postdoc with Afrique One-ASPIRE, a one Health Research consortia under the DELTAS program of the African Academy of sciences. I have a PhD in Medical Research-International Health from the Center for International Health of the Ludwig Maximillian’s University, Munich-Germany. I am currently a Fellow of the African Science leadership Program (ASLP) of the University of Pretoria. My research interests include Host-Pathogen interaction in Tuberculosis and other bacterial zoonosis as well as vaccine, biomarkers and immunodiagnostic tools for TB. I am currently conducting a study that seeks to provide immunodiagnostic options for children suspected of having TB using blood and or Urine because many children cannot cough up the sputum required for the regular TB test. My career milestones include being part of the team that coordinated the first ever Tuberculin Skin Test Survey in Ghana involving 25,000 school children that led to an estimation of the risk of TB infection in 2010.
What are your online profiles?
Immunology Keywords:
Immunological Biomarkers, Immunodiagnostics for TB, immune correlates
What is your name?
Linda Djune Yemeli
What is your current position:
PhD Candidate and Research Assistant
Which institute and country do you work in?
Department of Biochemistry, University of Yaoundé 1 and Centre for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical diseases, Cameroon
What is your home country?
Cameroon
What are your research interests?
Immunobiology, Diagnosis, Tropical Diseases
Tell us about yourself and your research interests :
My long-term research interest involves the development of a comprehensive understanding of how genetic diversity and immunobiology can contribute to the fight against infectious diseases, especially neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). I, therefore, chose to do a BSc in Biochemistry at the University of Yaoundé I in Cameroon. During my BSc training, I learned Cell biology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, and Immunology. As part of my graduate studies, I conducted, under the supervision of Dr. Palmer Netongo, a study on the deletion of the Histidine Rich Protein 2 and its implication for malaria rapid diagnostic tests. For my PhD thesis, I am diving deeper into microbiology and immunology, by studying Loa loa antigens that cross-react with lymphatic filariasis rapid tests. For this study, I am mentored by recognized leaders in the field of Neglected Tropical Diseases (Pr. Joseph Kamgno, Pr. Philip Budge and Dr. Hugues Nana Djeunga). At the completion of the PhD thesis, I plan to follow a post-doctoral program to improve myself in immunology and scientific research. Finally, I will set up a research pool in immuno-biology at the Center for Research on Filariasis and other tropical diseases, so that using immunology I could make my contribution in the fight against NTDs.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn; ResearchGate: Linda Djune Yemeli
Immunology Keywords:
Immunobiology, immunodiagnostic, immunogenetic
What is your name?
Wilbert Mbuya
What is your current position:
Research Scientist
Which institute and country do you work in?
Laboratory Sciences, National Institute for Medical Research – Mbeya Medical Research Centre, Tanzania
What is your home country?
Tanzania
What are your research interests?
T cells, Virology, Vaccines
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
My research interest is in the pathobiology of microbes and the immune response to different infections. I pursued Infection biology at Uppsala University, Sweden through the Swedish Institute Study Scholarship. For my master’s thesis research at the Karolinska Institute, the focus was on oral HPV prevalence and its association to tonsillar cancer. Currently, as a doctoral candidate at the Ludwig Maximilian University, Germany and at the Tanzanian National Institute for Medical Research, I work on understanding the effect of HIV infection on HPV pathogenesis and systemic HPV-oncoprotein specific T-cell Immunity in HPV infected women. Furthermore, I am interested in vaccine development for various pathogens and keen to communicate scientific knowledge to the public via popular writing .
What are your online profiles?
ResearchGate
Immunology Keywords:
T cells, HIV, HPV
What is your name?
Hassan Roble
What is your current position:
Medical Scientist
Which institute and country do you work in?
Somali National University/Somali Sudanese Specialized Hospital, Somalia
What is your home country?
Somalia
What are your research interests?
Infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, malaria/HIV/TB co-infection
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I graduated with a BSc in medical laboratory science (microbiology) in 2014 and MSc in Immunology in 2018. My previous research focuses were on autoimmune disease (Rheumatoid arthritis) and viral hepatitis ( HBV and HCV viral co-infection). My current research work involves the detection of antibody levels in immunized individuals with COVID-19 vaccine, with future interest on diagnostic molecular immunology and oncology, immunity to infectious disease, developing preventive vaccine and immunotherapy, and neglected tropical diseases.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn
Immunology Keywords:
Antibodies, HIV, TB
What is your name?
Wasihun Hailemichael
What is your current position:
Lecturer of Immunology
Which institute and country do you work in?
Immunology and Molecular Biology Unit, Debre Tabor University, Ethiopia
What is your home country?
Ethiopia
What are your research interests?
T cell exhaustion, Cancer Immunotherapy, Molecular Immunology
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am currently working at Debre Tabor University as a lecturer and researcher. I have BSc in Medical laboratory science from Jimma University Ethiopia and MSc in Immunology from the University of Gondar. In my institution, I am responsible for teaching undergraduate students and I am also engaged in several research projects that aim to improve the livelihood of people. After the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic, I was one of the front-liners who participated in prevention and advocacy. My research interests are Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, T cells and infectious diseases, Immune response to vaccines. I love Immunology and I want to grow my career in this fascinating field of medicine.
What are your online profiles?
Twitter; Research Gate; LinkedIn
Immunology Keywords:
T cells exhaustion, Aging, Immunotherapy
What is your name?
Amana Bokagne
What is your current position
PhD student
Which institute and country do you work in?
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Cameroon
What is your home country?
Cameroon
What are your research interests?
Molecular microbiology, Molecular Immunology, Gene technology
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I hold a BSc in Microbiology from the University of Bamenda and an MSc degree in Microbiology from the University of Buea-Cameroon. I am currently a PhD student and a graduate research assistant at the Molecular Parasitology Laboratory of the University of Buea. My research focus on investigating the adaptive immune response to SARSCoV-2 among Cameroonians and to screen for neutralising antibodies. I am a passionate of immunology more precisely molecular immunology. My master thesis focused on screening for the immunomodulatory properties of Lactic acid bacteria isolated from a Cameroonian traditionally fermented milk in vivo. I believe, biological immunomodulators are the keys to develop potential safe drugs to complement the present chemotherapy. Identifying potential modulators of the immune response will prove vital in treating many disease conditions such as cancer.
What are your online profiles?
ResearchGate
Immunology Keywords: Cytokines, T cells, innate immunity
What is your name?
Rita Ziem Ekekpi
What is your current position
Biomedical Scientist
Which institute and country do you work in?
Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Ghana
What is your home country?
Ghana
What are your research interests?
Immunology, infectious diseases, vaccinology
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I have experience working in both research and medical diagnostics labs in resource-limited settings. My vast experience can be helpful to research teams in whose disease areas may require designing and planning of studies, especially the recruitment of patients, initial lab analysis, biological sample taking, logistics and operationalizing study protocols in resource-limited settings. Additionally, I have interests in pursuing a career in research as an immunologist which include immunology of infectious diseases, immunotherapy and vaccine clinical development and trials.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn; ResearchGate
Immunology Keywords: Cytokines, T cells, innate immunity
What is your name?
Alemayehu Abate Mengestu
What is your current position
Immunology Coordinator
Which institute and country do you work in?
Immunology & Amhara Public Health Institute, Ethiopia
What is your home country?
Ethiopia
What are your research interests?
Immunology response of Infectious diseases, Allergy responses, immunological reactions
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I work in a research and public health institute in Ethiopia. I have studied infectious and tropical diseases in masters level. My research interests are 1. Role of chemokines in the pathogenesis of infections 2. Effects of immunometabolism on infectious diseases outcome 3. Development of a preventive vaccine and immunotherapy against infections.
What are your online profiles?
ResearchGate: Alemayehu Abate
Immunology Keywords: Adhesion Molecule, Allergen, Alloinnunity
What is your name?
Ludoviko Zirimenya
What is your current position
Physician Scientist
Which institute and country do you work in?
MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research unit, Uganda
What is your home country?
Uganda
What are your research interests?
Infectious diseases, Neglected tropical diseases and Palliative medicine
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
Physician and research scientist with research experience in palliative medicine under Hospice Africa Uganda. In addition, I have participated in a systematic review that investigated the association between urogenital schistosomiasis and HIV infection. My current work involves assessment of population differences in responses to vaccines with a focus on the immunomodulatory effects of chronic and repeated exposure to parasitic infections.
What are your online profiles?
ResearchGate
Immunology Keywords: Antigen, Antibody and T – Cells
What is your name?
Tatenda Murangi
What is your current position
Masters Student
Which institute and country do you work in?
Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IIDM), University of Cape Town, South Africa
What is your home country?
Zimbabwe
What are your research interests?
Allergy, Immunoregulation and tolerance, Auto-immunity, Immunotherapy
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
Growing up with a lot of allergic reactions I always wondered how my body reacted differently from that of others. My first contact with the numerous facets of immunology during my undergraduate years cemented this curiosity. My current work is focused on the first reported mammalian carbohydrate causing alpha-gal allergy. This has opened me to assessing the origins and the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon. Another example of when the immune system behaves unexpectedly is in autoimmunity, which is also another one of my fascinations. Given the ability of the immune system to alleviate damage when its potential is correctly harnessed. I would love to be involved in work that involves immunotherapeutic strategies in the future.
In my spare time I enjoy creative writing and working on graphic design projects.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn, ResearchGate
Immunology Keywords: Alpha-gal, Immunotherapeutic, Autoimmunity
What is your name?
Bright Adorbley
What is your current position
Graduate student
Which institute and country do you work in?
Université d’Oran 1 Ahmed Ben Bella, Algeria.
What is your home country?
Ghana
What are your research interests?
Biochemistry, Immunology and Infectious diseases
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am the most fun guy in the lab. I hold a BS Biochemistry and currently an MS Biochemistry student at the University of Oran, Algeria. My current area of research focuses on the immunology of infections diseases and vaccine development.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn, Twitter (@BraBossu)
Immunology Keywords: Adaptive immunity, Vaccinology & Immunotherapy.
What is your name?
Khaoula Attia
What is your current position
Pharm.D and Medical Resident in Immunology
Which institute and country do you work in?
Institut Pasteur of Algeria, Algiers, Algeria
What is your home country?
Algeria
What are your research interests?
Auto-immune diseases, Allergic diseases and Immunotherapy
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am a very ambitious Pharm.D and medical resident in Immunology working at Pasteur Institute of Algeria. During my Pharmacy graduating program, I attended lectures in Fundamental and Clinical Immunology as part of my training. It was back then that I developed a strong interest towards the field of Immunology. I knew that this is what I wanted to specialize in after I graduate.
During my training as a medical resident in Immunology for 4 years, I became aware of the complexity and broadness of this field, and the necessity to further my specialization in fundamental and clinical research, in order to, hopefully as a passionate pharmacist, extrapolate findings on a therapeutic level and identify new therapeutic targets. I have huge interest in autoimmune diseases, I am now in the Autoimmunity lab for over a year and a half and I am working on Autoimmune Hepatitis and the role of anti F-actin auto-antibodies in the diagnosis of this disease. I also have huge interest in Allergic Diseases and Immunotherapy.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn
Immunology Keywords: Autoimmunity, Allergy & Immunotherapy
What is your name?
Rashad Shawgi Jaweesh
What is your current position
Assistant Professor of Medical Immunology and Microbiology
Which institute and country do you work in?
Libyan International Medical University – Benghazi/Libya
What is your home country?
Sudan
What are your research interests?
Clinical Immunology – Molecular Diagnosis – infectious diseases
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am a medical immunologist and microbiologist, Ph.D. “molecular virology” 2018, M.Sc. “immunology in Tropical Medicine” 2015, and M.Sc. “medical microbiology” 2012. I have a position as Teaching staff at the faculty of basic medical science – Libyan International Medical University (LIMU). Founder of the clinical laboratory science program at LIMU. Founder and head of the flow cytometry department at AL-AKEED diagnostic Laboratories.
My previous research focuses were on infectious disease, allergies, and medical education with a future interest on molecular and diagnostic immunology including allergies and immunologic responses in infectious diseases and cancers.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn, ResearchGate & Twitter
Immunology Keywords: Molecular and Immunodiagnostics – Tropical Diseases – Allergies
What is your name?
Doudou Georges Massar Niang
What is your current position
Medical resident in Clinical Biology and PhD Candidate in Immunology
Which institute and country do you work in?
Medical Residency: Hôpital Général Idrissa Pouye (Dakar, Senegal) & Doctoral Studies: University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD, Dakar, Senegal)
What is your home country?
Senegal
What are your research interests?
Gynaeco-mammary cancers, Immuno-genetics
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I’m pharmacist and I hold a MSc degree in Immunology. I am currently studying Genetic (MSc Programme) and I’m also a PhD student in Immunology at University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD). My research mainly focus on breast and cervical cancers. I’m investigating the immuno-genetic determinants of our epidemiological specificities in Senegal (patients are younger and diagnosed in advanced stage with poor rate of survival despite therapeutic intervention), with aim to find new biomarkers.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn
Immunology Keywords: Cancer, genetic, biomarker
What is your name?
Lorraine Tsitsi Pfavayi
What is your current position
DPhil Student
Which institute and country do you work in?
Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford and Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
What is your home country?
Zimbabwe
What are your research interests?
Allergology, Immunology and Infectious diseases
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I received my B.Sc. (Biochemistry) and M.Sc. (Biotechnology) from the University of Zimbabwe. I developed an interest in immunological aspects of infectious and allergic diseases while working as an intern at a specialist clinic in Zimbabwe (Asthma, Allergy and Immunology Clinic). This led me to enrol for a DPhil in Clinical Medicine, focusing on allergology. My DPhil work focuses on characterising allergic reactivity to fungi in a Zimbabwean population and this work is driven by the need to collect immuno-epidemiological data to understand the nature of fungal allergy in Zimbabwe.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn, ResearchGate & Twitter
Immunology Keywords: Allergy, Fungi, Immuno-epidemiology
What is your name?
Hatem Abouguendia
What is your current position
Masters Student at Leading International Vaccinology Education (LIVE) Joint Masters Programme
Which institute and country do you work in?
Université de Claude Bernard de Lyon, Université de Saint-Etienne (France), Universitat de Barcelona, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain) and Universteit Antwerpen (Belgium).
What is your home country?
Egypt
What are your research interests?
Vaccines, tumor immunotherapy
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
After working as a research assistant in a lab working on nano-based formulations of cancer-targeted therapy, I discovered my passion in immunology. After graduating, I joined the Medical Research Institute at Alexandria University, Egypt as a junior researcher in a project targeting some immunological micro-environment molecules to treat breast cancer. Now I study vaccinology as a part of the European Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Programme LIVE.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn
Immunology Keywords: Vaccines, Cancer immunotherapy, immunopharmacology
What is your name?
Amira Taguida
What is your current position
Scientist
What is your home country?
Algeria
What are your research interests?
Immunology, Oncology
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am scientist, I hold MSc Oncology specialisation and BSc degrees in Molecular and cellular Immunology from University of Mentouri Brothers Constantine 1, Algeria. My research was mainly focused on Breast Cancer, where I used various histological, cytological and immunohistochemical techniques to study this complication. My current interests include further research in cancer biology, cancer immunotherapy, vaccine development, cellular immunology and stem cell biology.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn
Immunology Keywords: Cancer, immunotherapy, stem cells
What is your name?
Vanessa Irumva
What are your qualifications?
MSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Which institute and country do you work in?
Pan African University Institute for basic Science Technology and Innovation; /Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture Technology, Kenya
What is your home country?
Burundi
What are your research interests?
Neglected Tropical diseases, Genomics , Bioinformatics ,Molecular Biology
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I hold a Bsc in Biological sciences from the University of Burundi and a Msc degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from Pan African University, Kenya. I am passionate about Neglected Tropical diseases (NTDs) also called “ Diseases of poverty” which affect mostly people in remote and rural areas in Sub -saharan Africa .My research was about evaluating 2 tandem repeats antigens TbgI2 and TbgI17 if they can be helpful in Human African trypanosomiasis diagnosis .The antigens cloned in pET 52b were expressed in E.coli and then purified using Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography. Thereafter , the recombinantly produced antigens were coupled to magnetic beads and then evaluated using a Multiplex platform (Bio-Plex 200).
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn & Twitter- @vanessa_irumva
Immunology Keywords: Antigens, NTDs, Multiplex
What is your name?
Vanessa Mwebaza Muwanga
What is your current position?
PhD Candidate
Which institute and country do you work in?
South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI) at the University of Cape Town in South Africa
What is your home country?
Uganda
What are your research interests?
The discovery and evaluation of TB bio-markers, the development of immunotherapies for infectious diseases and the development of better and more accurate diagnostics for TB.
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am a Biomedical Scientist that developed a great interest in Immunology during my second year as an undergraduate. This led me to pursue my Master’s degree in Immunology which I completed in 2018. The pathogen I would love to tackle is Mycobacterium tuberculosis. I am interested in developing TB diagnostics by identifying TB bio-markers and understanding more about the immune mechanisms that are present during TB and diabetes co-infection. I would also love to contribute to work done on PD-1 and explore the potential of using anti-PD-1 therapy to deal with TB and HIV co-infection. The exact role of PD-1 in TB progression is still controversial and I would like to be shed more light in that area.
What are your online profiles?
ResearchGate; LinkedIn & Twitter- @muwitheninja4Xt
Immunology Keywords: Tuberculosis, Biomarkers, Immunotherapies, Transcriptomics, Host immune response
What is your name?
Emmanuel Tumininu Obishakin
What is your current position?
Post-Doctoral Researcher/ Teaching Assistant
Which institute and country do you work in?
Ghent University, Songdo, South Korea
What is your home country?
Nigeria
What are your research interests?
Immunology, Molecular diagnosis, Vaccinology
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am a Nigerian Veterinarian and research scientist with MSc. training in molecular biology from the Katholieke University, Leuven, Belgium and PhD training in cellular and molecular immunology from Vrije University Brussel, Belgium. My trainings involved experiences with immunology and molecular biology of infectious diseases. My work on the molecular immunology of protozoan parasites prepared me to contribute majorly to research on innate and adaptive immunity of protozoan parasites. I studied the impact of parasitic diseases on the host’s immune response with a focus on the B-cell populations and their antibody production. In addition, I worked extensively on the molecular epidemiology of very important infectious diseases and I have carried out both qualitative and quantitative PCR and sequencing of Nigerian isolates. I have co-supervised several masters theses both in Europe and in Nigeria and a PhD work in Nigeria.
My interest and current focus is the molecular diagnosis, immunology and vaccinology of infectious diseases. I am also interested in generating recombinant single domain antibodies (Nanobodies) to target infectious agents either serving as diagnostic or neutralizing antibodies.
What are your online profiles?
ResearchGate – Emmanuel Obishakin
NCBI – Obishakin
Immunology Keywords: B-cells, Single domain antibody, Vaccinology
What is your name?
Rebecca Chukwuanukwu
What is your current position?
Lecturer and Researcher in Immunology
Which institute and country do you work in?
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
What is your home country?
Nigeria
What are your research interests?
Infectious diseases Immunology, Malaria/HIV/TB co-infection.
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I have always been intrigued by the immune system ever since I learnt about its ability to affect the way living beings respond and protect themselves from invasion of harmful organisms. This interest led me to pursue postgraduate studies in Immunology, first in my country. This proved really difficult at a point due to the dearth of manpower in this area. I was forced to abandon Immunology to pursue a Masters in another field. Delays made me feel frustrated so by 2008, I started applying to foreign Universities, hoping for Scholarship to pursue my studies. This eventually worked out by 2009 and I moved to the University of Nottingham in United Kingdom to pursue a Masters degree in Immunology and Allergy. There I developed an interest in Immunology of tuberculosis. Prior to this my research and interest was in Malaria and HIV. My PhD thesis eventually was on immune response to TB with some aspects assessing differences when there is co-infect with the endemic malaria or HIV.
I continue to research in these area and seek collaborative effort and funding constantly. I also teach Immunology, always aiming to make my lectures unforgettable!
What are your online profiles?
Researchgate , Linkedin
Immunology Keywords: Tuberculosis, malaria, co-infection.
What is your name?
Nwongbouwoh Muefong Caleb
What is your current position?
PhD Candidate
Which institute and country do you work in?
MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, The Gambia/ Ludwig Maximilians University, Germany
What is your home country?
Cameroon
What are your research interests?
Global health, Chronic Inflammatory disorders, Immuno-modulation
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am a young scientist/researcher who loves and respects all that aims at achieving peace and truth. My academic path has been motivated by a deep desire to contribute to the resolution of any major public health issue; through sound scientific research and education. As a postgraduate, I actively contributed to 3 research projects on:
- Properties of raffia fruit pulp as potential bio-functional food— an MSc in Biochemistry; University of Yaounde 1 (Cameroon).
- Role of neutrophils within fat-associated lymphoid clusters (ultimately on abdominal metabolic deregulation in obesity).
- Using CRISPR-Cas9 technology for investigating DNA repair mechanisms that contribute to mutations (ultimately for cancer immunotherapy).
The last two were during my commonwealth scholarship-funded MSc by Research in Biomedical Sciences (Benezech and Batada labs, respectively) from the University of Edinburgh (UK); where I developed a profound interest in immunology/inflammation.
My current PhD research aims at revealing the contribution of neutrophils to the long-term lung damage incurred by actively infected TB patients. I am working with the TB research group supervised by Dr Jayne Sutherland within the MRCG at LSHTM (The Gambia) in co-supervision with Dr Christof Geldmacher from the division of infectious diseases and tropical medicine at LMU (Munich, Germany).
What are your online profiles?
Researchgate , Linkedin
Immunology Keywords: Neutrophils, Inflammation, Tissue damage
What is your name?
Eunice Wavinya Kiamba
What is your current position?
PhD Candidate
Which institute and country do you work in?
MRC Unit the Gambia (The Gambia) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM, United Kingdom)
What is your home country?
Kenya
What are your research interests?
Immunology, Vaccinology, Molecular Biology
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I had the privilege of attending the 8th IDA Symposium in Infectious Diseases in Africa. This experience strongly stirred up my interest in immunology and I am now a PhD Candidate at the LSHTM,UK. My project is focused on characterization of early innate immune responses following a first and subsequent HPV vaccine (Gardasil9) doses, how these are modified by age and their influence on long term serological protection. I am also interested in HLA typing to understand the effect that HLA types have on long term serological protection from HPV vaccine. This study is based at the MRC Unit in The Gambia and at the LSHTM under the Vaccines and Immunity Theme and HLA typing will be done at LSHTM.
I hold an MSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology/ Pan African University, Kenya). My project focused on evaluation of PHIST antigens as potential antimalarial vaccine targets (undertaken at KEMRI-WT). I also hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Health research Methods and BSc in Biochemistry (Pwani University, Kenya).
My long term career goal is to be able to apply immunology and molecular biology skills in vaccinology studies to tackle diseases of relevance in Sub Saharan Africa.
What are your online profiles?
Researchgate , Linkedin, Twitter
Immunology Keywords: Innate responses, memory B cells, Antibodies
What is your name?
Stanslaus Kiilu Musyoki
What is your current position?
Lecturer & Chairman of Medical Laboratory Sciences Department
Which institute and country do you work in?
Kisii University, Kenya
What is your home country?
Kenya
What are your research interests?
Immunology of pregnancy, Viral infections
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am Ph.D. holder in Medical Immunology (2016) from Maseno University in Kenya. I also have a Masters degree in Immunology (Moi University, Kenya) and a Bachelor degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya). To empower myself I have also done many short courses/trainings and workshops including: – Infectious Diseases in Africa, “Introduction to R” for data management and analysis, how viruses hijack host immunity leading to cancer, Advances in the Immunobiology of Parasites, Pathogens and Pathogenesis Training-KEMRI, Electronic library resources training-DAAD, Good Clinical Laboratory Practice Training, Safe phlebotomy practices training, HIV/AIDS Management Training-NASCOP and others.
I currently work as a lecturer and chairman of Medical Laboratory Sciences Department at Kisii University, Kenya. I have a lot of research interest in tackling tropical and viral diseases biased to HIV and HPV. I spearheaded the formation of a Research cluster in the school of health sciences at Kisii University and we focus our research on HIV, cancer, malaria and Tuberculosis among other infectious diseases.
What are your online profiles?
Researchgate , Linkedin
Immunology Keywords: Lymphocytes, T cells and B cells
What is your name?
Priscilla Ngotho
What is your current position?
Postdoctoral research assistant
Which institute and country do you work in?
Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow
What is your home country?
Kenya (UK resident)
What are your research interests?
Cellular and molecular interactions between the mammalian host and Plasmodium parasites
Immune responses to Plasmodium transmission stages (gametocytes)
Host RBC surface remodelling by malaria parasites
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
As malaria elimination becomes the focus of research in the field, there is a push to develop novel approaches to control transmission from human to mosquito.
In combination with the RTS,S vaccine, transmission blocking vaccines (TBV) will be crucial in attaining malaria elimination. It is therefore imperative to understand mechanisms of transmission reducing immunity (TRI), my current area of research.
I am interested in host-parasite interactions and how this impacts acquired TRI towards identifying candidates for vaccine development. I work on the lethal human parasite Plasmodium falciparum as well as the model rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei, with a focus on the blood stages (infected RBCs – iRBCs) which are responsible for malaria pathogenesis and transmission to mosquitoes. I am currently studying how the sexual stages of P. falciparum remodel the host RBC and the effect of this on immunity and clearance of the parasite infected cell. For this project I am (i) measuring expression of surface antigens in order to identify vaccine candidates and (ii) assessing lipid composition of the iRBC membrane during the sexual life cycle to understand mechanisms by which the parasite remodels the host cell. In parallel I am looking at acquisition of transmission reducing immunity in P falciparum and in the mouse malaria model parasite P. berghei. For this project I am looking at naturally acquired or vaccine induced antibodies to sexual stage iRBC the mechanisms of action of these antibodies on parasite clearance.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn, Twitter, ResearchGate
Immunology Keywords: Transmission-blocking, plasmodium, host-parasite interaction
What is your name?
Yaw Bediako
What is your current position?
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Which institute and country do you work in?
Francis Crick Institute, UK and WACCBIP, Ghana
What is your home country?
Ghana
What are your research interests?
Malaria immunology, Immune dysfunction
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am a Ghanaian immunologist with a broad interest in investigating immune function among African populations in order to better address immunopathology associated with infectious and non-infectious diseases among these populations. My post-doctoral research projects (most recently at the Francis Crick Institute) have focused on understanding the immunological mechanisms by which naturally acquired immunity to Malaria is acquired and maintained. I am passionate about developing sustainable research infrastructure and human capacity on the continent- especially leveraging African expertise in the diaspora to strengthen local academic institutions.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn , Twitter
Immunology Keywords: Immunoregulation, T cells, Malaria
What is your name?
Aka Kouadio Ayebe Edwige
What is your current position?
Postdoctoral Researcher
Which institute and country do you work in?
Institute Pasteur of Cote d’Ivoire. Postdoctoral Researcher in the Microorganism Management Unit at the Biological Resource Center
What is your home country?
Cote d’Ivoire
What are your research interests?
Immunostimulatory substances present in plants
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am a research associate at the Pasteur Institute of Cote d’Ivoire. I obtained a PhD in Biochemistry Pharmacology of Natural Substances at Felix Houphouet Boigny University in Ivory Coast. During my thesis I worked on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant activity of cola nitida a sterculiaceae. This study confirmed the presence of all these activities in the ethanolic extracts of cola nitida.
I am in the Department of the Biological Resources Center. I am the assistant of the microbiological resource management unit where I manage the platform of Maldi tof. In this department we make the reception, treatment, conditioning and the provision of the microorganisms for the research fast tests and several other activities.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn – Edwige AKA
Immunology Keywords: Biochemistry, Pharmacology, immunostimulatory
What is your name?
Nada Abdel Aziz
What is your current position?
ICGEB Arturo Falaschi PhD Fellow, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town. I am also Teaching Assistant at Biotechnology/Biomolecular Chemistry Program, Faculty of Science, Cairo University.
Which institute and country do you work in?
ICGEB, University of Cape Town, South Africa
What is your home country?
Egypt
What are your research interests?
Immunology, Biotechnology, and Infectious Diseases
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
My Main research area is Immuno-Biotechnology; understanding the mechanism(s), the signalling pathway(s), and the cell kinetics of the immune system that underlie the immune regulation and protection against infectious diseases especially Neglected Tropical Diseases that blight the lives of a billion people worldwide and threaten the health of millions more.
I do like everything about scientific research; doing experiments, being in the lab, excitement, passion, and enthusiasm to get new results and find new discoveries. Every day there is new findings/discoveries and tools that open the doors for more research and more discoveries to be done.
I do hope that my future contributions to the field would have a positive impact on people’s life. Indeed my favourite quote is “Always remember that you are doing research neither for recognition, acknowledgements nor rewards but to be, may be one day, a reason for relieving patient’s pain”.
What are your online profiles?
Research Gate: Nada Abdel Aziz
Immunology Keywords:
Lymphocytes, Cytokines, and signalling pathways
What is your name?
Dana Manuela Savulescu
What is your current position?
Research Scientist
Which institute and country do you work in?
National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) – Centre for Vaccines and Immunology (CVI), Johannesburg, South Africa
What is your home country?
Israel
What are your research interests?
Reproductive Immunology, Immune tolerance in pregnancy, HLA antibodies
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
My PhD studies focused on molecular and cellular biology of the reproductive axis. Upon completion of
my studies, I decided to study immunological aspects of my research, namely, the role of the immune
system in female reproductive biology.
My main research interest is the immune tolerance developed by mother to the foetus in healthy
pregnancy, as well as the mechanisms underlying deficiencies in this tolerance, which potentially occur in
infertility and pregnancy-related complications such as pre-eclampsia and premature birth. Since joining CVI, I have been studying various aspects of the immune tolerance in pregnancy, including the prevalence and specificity of antibodies against Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA antibodies) in pregnant women and new-born babies, and the molecular mechanisms involved in the role of endometrial macrophages in immune tolerance. Additionally, I have been involved in projects exploring other aspects of the immune system, including the role of HLA antibodies in protection against acquisition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, the potency of the indoleamine 2,3- dioxygenase (IDO) enzymatic activity as a biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of tuberculosis disease, and the design of a novel biochemical and flow cytometry-based technique for detection of specific T lymphocytes in diagnosis of human disease.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn – Dana Manuela Savulescu
ResearchGate – Dana Savulescu
Immunology Keywords:
Tolerance, Pregnancy, HLA antibodies
What is your name?
Naffesa Abdul Munim Al Sheikh Alloub
What is your current position?
Researcher/Lab specialist
Which institute and country do you work in?
University of Khartoum, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Khartoum, Sudan
What is your home country?
Sudan
What are your research interests?
Leishmaniasis, Autoimmunity, HIV
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
My name is Naffesa A. Munim Al sheikh. I studied Medical Lab sciences/Histopathology and Cytology major/Faculty of Medical Lab sciences /University of Khartoum. My research in fulfillment of my honors degree: “Pattern of Lupus Nephritis in the Military Hospital: A histological and Immunofluorescense study”
I did my Msc in Immunology at the Institute of Endemic Diseases/University of Khartoum by research. My Msc research title: “Role of Treg cells in Pathogensesis of Post kala azar dermal Leishmaniasis”
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn – Nana Al Sheikh
Immunology Keywords: PKDL, Lupus Nephritis, T regulatory cells
What is your name?
Sanaa Sabour Alaoui
What is your current position?
Assistant Professor of Immunology
Which institute and country do you work in?
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Development of Natural Resources, University Sultan Moulay Slimane, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Béni Mellal, Morocco.
What is your home country?
Morocco
What are your research interests?
Immunology, Oncology, Phytotherapy
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
My PhD studies were carried out at the Chouaib Doukkakli University of Science, jointly with the PARIS 7 University and the “Skin Research Center “, Saint Louis Hospital, Paris, France. The aim of this research was to study the role of TNF superfamily ligands (TWEAK, APRIL, BAFF) in inflammatory diseases, mainly cancers. Currently, I am a professor at the Polydisciplinary Faculty of Beni Mellal, a member of the laboratory of biotechology and development of natural resources. My research project is based primarily on the understanding of mechanisms related to allergy and inflammatory diseases. The second part of our research is to study the biological effect of certain plants in the region.
What are your online profiles?
Linkedin – Sabour Alaoui Sanaa
Immunology Keywords:
Inflammation, Allergy, Cancer
What is your name?
Ian Oyaro
What is your current position?
PhD fellow registered at the Open university, UK
Which institute and country do you work in?
KEMRI Wellcome Trust, Kenya
What is your home country?
Kenya
What are your research interests?
HIV immunology, Vaccine candidates development
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am a veterinary surgeon with a Masters in Microbiology. I have previously worked on sequencing and proteomic based techniques in a quest to improve the diagnosis of acute non-traumatic coma at the Kenyan coast. Additionally, I have been involved in protocol optimization studies for disease proteomics.
I am currently interested in evaluating the role of early HIV-specific T and B cell interactions in determining downstream neutralizing and non-neutralizing antibody function in chronic HIV. The determination of early immunological correlates that influence the development of broadly neutralizing and non-neutralizing antibodies in HIV may offer coherent approaches and elucidate pathways towards an effective HIV vaccine.
What are your online profiles?
Linkedin – Ian Oyaro
Researchgate – Ian Oyaro
Immunology Keywords:
HIV infection, Cellular and humoral immunity, vaccines
What is your name?
Mouna Ben Azaiz
What is your current position?
Assistant Professor of Immunology
Which institute and country do you work in?
University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine Tunis, Tunisia (working in Military Hospital of Tunis)
What is your home country?
Tunisia
What are your research interests?
Inflammation, Sepsis, Bioethics
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
Hannibal is a Tunisian like me. He never gave up, like me! “I will either find a way or make one”.
I was a surgeon for one year where I discovered that immunology is everywhere, also in surgery. I convinced a surgeon to study inflammatory cytokines during cardiac surgery. This lead me to becoming an Immunologist who is also interested in bioethics and academic ethics.
I have an academic diploma of Immuno-allergology from the University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine Tunis, Tunisia, theme: “sepsis and atopy”. I am a PhD student in Immunology at the Carthage University Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte with my thesis theme being “Dynamic of inflammation in sepsis”. This is the first thesis about immunosuppression during this pathology in Tunisia. I am also a member of the Military Committee of Methodology and Medical writing, where I plan to promote Immunopaedia.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn – Mouna Ben Azaiz
Immunology Keywords: army, amazing, adventure
What is your name?
Vicky Gent
What is your current position?
Graduate Assistant
Which institute and country do you work in?
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
What is your home country?
Kenya
What are your research interests?
Immunomodulators, Vaccine development, Neuroimmunology.
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I did my undergraduate studies in Biomedical Sciences at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, I also pursued a Masters’ in Immunology. My research project focused on the effects Schistoma mansoni infection has on the immunogenicity of the Human papilomavirus using a baboon model, this was done at the Institute of Primate research in Nairobi, Kenya.
Currently I am a graduate assistant at the Department of Zoology at Jomo Kenyatta University, assisting with the undergraduate immunology and biostatistics courses.
I am very interested in learning about potential immunomodulators that may improve global health issues. My overall hope is to be involved in projects that tackle the world’s health issues as well as continue studying immunology to PhD level.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn – Vicky Gent
ResearchGate – Vicky Gent
Immunology Keywords: Helminth infection, immunogenicity, vaccines
What is your name?
Thandeka Moyo
What is your current position?
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Which institute and country do you work in?
National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
What is your home country?
Zimbabwe
What are your research interests?
HIV immunology, HIV vaccines, broadly neutralizing antibody responses
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I studied towards a PhD in Clinical Science and Immunology at the University of Cape Town where I looked at the mechanisms used by various HIV strains to gain resistance to broadly neutralizing antibody responses. Broadly neutralizing antibodies are able to prevent the entry of HIV into cells and therefore HIV vaccine research heavily focuses on these antibodies. However, some strains become resistant to these antibodies and this may potentially lower the efficacy of an antibody-based vaccine. I was able to decipher the mechanism behind the resistance of an unusually neutralization-resistant virus from Cameroon and crystallized its Envelope structure. I also determined the role of key glycans in resistance to antibodies. For my postdoctoral fellowship, I will further delve into how neutralizing antibodies bind to their epitopes; focusing on structural biology approaches.
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn – Thandeka Moyo
ResearchGate – Thandeka Moyo
Immunology Keywords: HIV, vaccines, antibodies
What is your name?
Kenneth Omollo
What is your current position?
PhD Student
Which institute and country do you work in?
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Kenya
What is your home country?
Kenya
What are your research interests?
HIV Susceptibility, Mucosal Immunology, Cellular Biology
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am a PhD student in Dr. Keith Fowke’s laboratory at the University of Nairobi/Manitoba Collaborative Program. My current research project is investigating the impact of hormonal contraceptives on HIV susceptibility and mucosal immunity at the genital tract of female sex workers. Away from the lab, I love hiking and cooking.
What are your online profiles?
Researchgate- Kenneth Omollo
LinkedIn – Kenneth Omollo
Immunology Keywords: HIV, Mucosal Immunology, Inflammation
What is your name?
Sawsan Feki
What is your current position?
Associate Professor, Immunology, PhD Student
Which institute and country do you work in?
Laboratory of immunology, Habib Bourguiba UH of Sfax, Tunisia
What is your home country?
Tunisia
What are your research interests?
Inflammatory disorders of central nervous system (especially multiple sclerosis), Allergy, Inflammatory bowel disease and colo-rectal cancer
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am a Clinical Immunologist (MD) from Tunisia working as Associate Professor in the Immunology Department of Habib Bourguiba University Hospital and the faculty of medicine of Sfax. In our Laboratory, we are specialized in Autoimmunity, Allergy, Monoclonal Gammopathy and Cancer biological diagnosis.
I am also PhD student in the same Laboratory. Since I am very interested in inflammatory disorders of central nervous system, my scientific thesis project is focusing on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis and markers, especially cytokines profiling. Indeed, we are the first laboratory in Tunisia performing biological diagnosis of MS since 2014. As a medical doctor, my first aim is to improve the investigation for clinical diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of this disabling disease. Inflammatory Bowel disease is another autoimmune disorder in which I am interested (genetic and proteomic research studies). Furthermore, I have the expertise in immuno-allergology, I am performing molecular allergology diagnosis and functional allergology test (Flow Cytometric Basophil Activation Test) for specialized investigation of patients with type 1 hypersensitivity.
In October 2014, I was elected as a member of the executive office of “The Tunisian Society of Immunology (TSI)”. I have been actively involved in the organization of courses (North African Course in Immunology 2016) and conferences in Immunology for Tunisian (Conference of the Tunisian Society of Immunology ) and African students (FAIS conference 2017).
What are your online profiles?
LinkedIn– Sawsan Feki
Society Tunisian Immunology – STI
Immunology Keywords: Autoimmunity, Allergy, Cancer
What is your name?
Margaret Oluwatoyin Japhet
What is your current position?
Lecturer
Which institute and country do you work in?
Department of Microbiology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state
What is your home country?
Nigeria
What are your research interests?
Virology, immunology and Molecular Epidemiology
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I received my B.Sc degree in Microbiology and M.Sc Virology degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. I received my Ph.D in Microbiology (Virology Option) from Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, backed up with a testimonial from Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany, where the molecular aspect of the work was carried out. I am currently a Lecturer at the Department of Microbiology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. My area of Research interest is on Immunology and Molecular aspect of viral infections.
What are your online profiles?
ResearchGate – Margaret Japhet
LinkedIn – Margaret Japhet
Academic.edu – Margaret Japhet
What is your name?
Anthony Afum-Adjei Awuah
What is your current position?
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Which institute and country do you work in?
Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), Kumasi, Ghana
What is your home country?
Ghana
What are your research interests?
Immune responses and modulation to TB, Vaccinology and vaccine trials, Clinical trials
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am currently a Postdoctoral research fellow in the EOD working group at KCCR in Kumasi Ghana under the mentorship of Prof Ellis Owusu-Dabo. I recently completed a WHO/TDR clinical research and development fellowship at GSK Vaccines s.r.l in vaccinology and clinical trials. My main research focuses on Tuberculosis Immunology with particular interest in vaccine immunology. My group studies immune responses, immune polarization and immunomodulation during TB (pediatric and adult), MDR-TB and its coinfection with HIV with special emphasis on application to immunodiagnostics and vaccine candidature. I am also involved in studies in type2 diabetes, Schistosomiasis and other diseases that falls within the focus of EOD research group at KCCR. I hold a PhD in Immunology from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) where I previously read Biochemistry as an undergraduate student. I am currently a board member of the convention for Biomedical Research, Ghana.
What are your online profiles?
ResearchGate – Anthony Afum-Adjei Awuah
Immunology Keywords: T-cells, micro-RNAs, vaccines
What is your name?
Mahaman Moustaha Lamine
What is your current position?
PhD Student
Which institute and country do you work in?
University Cheikh Anta Diop Dakar, Senegal
What is your home country?
Niger
What are your research interests?
Malaria Research, Molecular parasitology, Epidemiology
Tell us about yourself and your research interests:
I am 2nd Year PhD Student at University Cheikh Anta Diop Dakar (Senegal). I am a motivated Immunologist and Biologist, with internship experience at the center of medical and health research of Niger (CERMES), interested in working anti-malaria immunity and malaria drugs resistance.
What are your online profiles?
ResearchGate – Mahaman Moustapha Lamine
Immunology Keywords: Malaria immunity, Allergology
