The Immunology in Africa Podcast
By Wealth Okete
The Immunology in Africa PodcastMay 06, 2024
Immunity and Infection in Different Contexts - Dr. Rebecca Chukwuanukwu
Dr. Rebecca Chukwuanukwu is an Associate Professor of Immunology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, where she researches host immune responses to diseases. Her educational background is in biomedical sciences, with a specialty in haematology and blood transfusion. She obtained two master's degrees: first, in Haematology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and then, in Immunology and Allergy at the University of Nottingham, UK, before proceeding to pursue a PhD in Immunology at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University. In addition to serving in various academic and administrative roles, Dr. Chukwuanukwu has also won numerous grants and prizes, including the UNESCO-Merck Africa Research Award. She is currently a Senior Experienced Research Fellow at the Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany, courtesy of a fellowship award by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. In this episode, she takes us on her journey and experience exploring the immune system in different contexts, from co-infections involving malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis to pregnancy and malaria. She also talks about her commitment to advancing the field of immunology by training, mentoring, and supporting next-generation scientists. Connect with her/learn more about her work here and across LinkedIn and ResearchGate. The Immunology in Africa Podcast is on LinkedIn, X, and YouTube. Follow/Subscribe to keep track of new episodes and other immunology updates. Time stamps: 00:00 - intro 01:23 - background, academic and research journey 07:11 - highlights of key research projects and awards from PhD research 18:55 - on training, mentoring, and supporting younger scientists 26:41 - research fellowship at Friedrich Alexander University, Germany 33:11 - what's the most fulfilling part of your work 41:17 - closing remarks 44:20 - outro
Vaginal Microbiota and Cervical Cancer Risk in Women - Prof. Samuel Essien-Baidoo
Prof. Samuel Essien-Baidoo is an Associate Professor in Laboratory Medicine at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, and a Fellow of the West African Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science. His research is dedicated to exploring the intricate interplay between natural and artificial determinants of adverse health outcomes, particularly in the context of infectious and non-infectious diseases.
Away from research, Prof. Essien-Baidoo has a wealth of administrative experience, having served as the founding Head of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science and held many other positions at UCC, Ghana. He has also shown deep commitment to community service and mentorship by supporting and guiding student volunteers engaged in various initiatives, spanning livelihood empowerment, environmental sanitation, and reproductive health.
In this episode, Prof. Essien-Baidoo shares highlights of his research exploring the link between vaginal microbes, the immune system, and the onset of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in Ghanaian women. Findings from this study will inform cervical cancer screening and management in at-risk women.
Connect with him/learn more about his work here and across LinkedIn, X, and ResearchGate.
The Immunology in Africa Podcast is on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube. Follow/Subscribe to keep track of new episodes and other immunology updates. Time stamps:
00:00 - intro 01:20 - overview of academic and research journey 05:11 - findings from PhD research 07:44 - growing up and developing interest in immunology, infectious diseases, and non-communicable diseases 11:48 - highlights of research on vaginal microbiota and cervical cancer risk (findings, implications, next steps, etc.) 27:28 - interest and work in health and research ethics 33:30 - challenges and how he's dealt with them 42:18 - updates from IUIS Cape Town 2023 46:10 - final words 49:00 - outro
Improving Access to Vaccines in Children - Dr. Oghenebrume Wariri
Dr. Oghenebrume Wariri is a Clinical Research Fellow in Vaccines and Immunity at the MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM. His research focuses on vaccine epidemiology, particularly examining the performance of country-level immunization systems and investigating how broader demand- and supply-side factors influence the delivery and uptake of routine childhood vaccination in West Africa. Dr. Wariri received his Medical Degree (MBBS) from the University of Benin (Nigeria) and specialized as a Paediatrician after completing a six-year residency training program, earning a Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians. He obtained his MSc in Global Health as a fully-funded Chevening scholar from the University of Aberdeen, UK and has previously held a Wellcome Trust Global Health Clinical Research Training Fellowship at Imperial College London. His PhD at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) investigates the burden, spatial pattern, and drivers of untimely routine childhood vaccination in The Gambia. Dr. Wariri sits on the five-member WHO National Verification Committee (NVC) for Measles and Rubella in The Gambia and is also a member of the Management Committee of the Vaccine Centre at LSHTM. He was the Principal Investigator of the recently concluded EDCTP-funded TIMELY study, which investigated the spatial pattern of untimely routine childhood vaccination in The Gambia and the 2023 African Visiting Fellow to the Office of Population Research (OPR) at Princeton University. In July 2023, Dr. Wariri was awarded the five-year Fogarty Emerging Global Leader award (K43) from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to map zero-dose prevalence, delayed measles vaccination, and the risk of measles outbreaks in The Gambia.
In this episode, we delve into his career journey, highlighting his contributions toward improving access to vaccines in children. Alongside providing updates on his recent award, Dr. Wariri also had a lot of nuggets to share with African scientists on collaborations and research translation. Connect with him/learn more about his work via LinkedIn, X, LSHTM, and ResearchGate.
The Immunology in Africa Podcast is on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube. Follow/Subscribe to keep track of new episodes and other immunology updates. Time stamps:
00:00 - intro 02:57 - overview of academic and research journey 07:33 - how interest in vaccine epidemiology developed 12:17 - highlights, findings, and implications of research projects 16:17 - comments on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected vaccination rates 20:46- factors influencing low/high vaccination rates/coverage in various countries 26:16 - on winning the Fogarty Emerging Global Leader Award 33:52 - fostering intra-continental research among African scientists 41:51 - comments on translation of research findings in Africa 46:43 - final words 50:00 - outro
How Sex Differences and Cytokines Shape Immune Responses - GSS 1.0 (6/6) - Kumba Seddu
How Obesity Triggers Kidney Diseases: The Role of the Immune System - GSS 1.0 (5/6) - Ubong Ekperikpe
Ubong Ekperikpe is a Ph.D. candidate in the Experimental Therapeutics and Pharmacology program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center where he studies obesity and kidney diseases. He trained as a Pharmacist at the University of Jos, before earning a master's degree in Pharmacology at the University of Benin, both in Nigeria. He has also served as a Junior Research Fellow at the School of Pharmacy, University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
Ubong’s current research is focused on understanding the role of macrophage inflammatory protein 3-alpha (MIP3α) and interactions between antigen-presenting cells and T-cells in the progression of kidney injuries in children with obesity. Findings from this research will not only enhance our understanding of how these immune cells contribute to the onset of kidney diseases but also inform the design of appropriate therapies.
Cooking is one of Ubong's most enjoyable things to do, and he's been honing his skills since he turned 9.
In this episode, Ubong shares findings from his PhD work exploring the immunology-link between obesity and kidney diseases in children. He also provides useful updates on his experience as a graduate student and thoughts on promoting immunology research in Africa.
Time stamps:
00:00 - intro
02:29 - overview of academic and research journey
06:54 - blending background in pharmacy and research in immunology
08:32 - current research intersecting obesity, kidney diseases, and immunology
22:00 - implications of research for Africa's childhood obesity burden
28:30 - BONUS: linking kidney diseases and sleeping sickness in Africa
32:25 - life in graduate school (a typical day in the lab; managing failures and successes; on cooking)
39:34 - thoughts on promoting immunology and scientific research in Africa
43:36 - core guiding principles
46:40 - fun task (what one advice would you give to your younger self?)
51:35 - outro
Decoding the Link Between Alpha-Gal Allergy and Parasitic Infections - GSS 1.0 (4/6) - Tatenda Murangi
Graduate Student Series (GSS) 1.0 (Ep. 4 of 6)
Tatenda Murangi completed his bachelor's degree in Biology, majoring in Tropical Disease Biology, at the Chinhoyi University of Technology, Zimbabwe. He is currently a PhD Candidate in Clinical Science and Immunology at the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa, where he studies alpha-gal allergy. His PhD work, which builds on his MSc research explores the role of parasitic infections in the onset of this allergy and is jointly supervised by Professors Michael Levin and William Horsnell. Alongside being an Immunopaedia ambassador, Tatenda is also passionate about science communication.
In this episode, we talk about his research on the link between the not-so-popular alpha-gal allergy and parasitic infections. Tatenda also shared his thoughts on how African scientists can better promote and strengthen science research and engagement in the continent.
Time stamps: 00:00 - intro 02:16 - overview of academic and research journey 04:00 - why immunology research/at what point did you decide to explore immunology? 07:23 - journey to current research intersecting immunology and parasitology 09:45 - on alpha-gal allergy 18:53 - exploring the link between parasitic infection (via tick and mite bites) and alpha-gal allergy 24:20 - where has alpha-gal allergy been reported?
27:30 - how do we manage the allergy? 31:42 - life in graduate school (typical research experiments; managing failures and successes; guiding principles) 44:20 - thoughts on promoting immunology and scientific research in Africa 52:00 - fun task (what's one thing you love that you've not given much attention to since you got into graduate school?) 56:50 - outro
Improving Health Outcomes in Inflammatory Diseases: From COVID-19 to Rheumatoid Arthritis - GSS 1.0 (3/6) - Marah Grace Chibwana
Graduate Student Series (GSS) 1.0 (Ep. 3 of 6) Marah Grace Chibwana holds a medical degree (MBBS) from the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, and an MSc in Integrated Immunology from the University of Oxford. For her PhD, she was recently awarded the Rhodes Scholarship to read for a DPhil in Molecular and Cellular Medicine at the University of Oxford. Building on her MSc research, her PhD will focus on understanding the factors that drive neutrophil behaviour and heterogeneity. Findings from this study will contribute to improving the health outcomes of individuals living with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune / inflammatory conditions. As an up-and-coming clinician-scientist in Immunology, Marah strongly believes in the translation of basic medical science research into bedside patient care and policy formulation to overcome diseases and improve health outcomes both locally and globally. She is also passionate about training the next generation of scientists and currently runs a science club where she mentors young people in her country to pursue careers in science. In this episode, we delve into her work on understanding and developing better therapies for rheumatoid arthritis, which ties into her overall goal of improving health outcomes in inflammatory diseases. Time stamps: 00:00 - intro 02:45 - overview of academic and research journey 05:40 - why immunology research? 08:25 - MSc research + implications for Africa 13:40 - current research + plans for PhD 19:07 - overlap between background in COVID-19 and current work in rheumatoid arthritis 20:33 - life in graduate school (typical research experiments; favourite task or activity; managing failures and successes) 30:10 - perspectives and attitudes to life 34:40 - thoughts on promoting immunology research and science/STEM in Africa 43:20 - fun task (what would you have been if you weren't a scientist?) 46:20 - outro
Targeting Galectin-3 in Aggressive Breast Cancers: Implications for African Women - GSS 1.0 (2/6) - Doudou Georges Massar Niang
Doudou Georges Massar Niang grew up aspiring to be a professional basketball player — but he's now enamored with the field of immunology. With a doctor of Pharmacy and two Masters degrees from Cheikh Anta Diop University, Doudou's background spans hematology, cancer immunology and genetics. He has spent the last four years of his PhD exploring the roles of galectin-3 and various cytokines on breast cancers. The overall goal of his research is to understand how galectin-3 might be used as a biomarker and therapeutic target in various malignancies, particularly breast cancers. In this episode, he shares some of the interesting findings he's made so far and the implications they hold for breast cancer patients in Africa.
Time stamps:
00:00 - intro
02:20 - overview of academic and research journey
06:20 - why he got interested in immunology research?
10:25 - current research in graduate school + findings + implications
18:40 - on triple-negative breast cancers
21:00 - implications of current research for Africa
25:00 - life as a graduate student (typical day, lab work, coping with failure and success, etc.)
28:20 - challenges of studying in Senegal/Africa: funding, skills, etc.
34:22 - dealing with successes and failures
37:04 - creating more opportunities to promote immunology research in Africa
41:10 - guiding principles and perspectives
43:04 - fun task (what's your favourite immune cell)
45:10 - plans post-PhD
47:04 - outro
Tackling Viral Diseases through Vaccines: From SARS to Influenza - GSS 1.0 (1/6) - Richard Adeleke
Graduate Student Series (GSS) 1.0 (Ep. 1 of 6). Richard Adeleke (DVM) trained as a veterinarian at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where he first took an interest in immunology and vaccine development. He is currently a Ph.D. student in Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Cornell University, USA, and works in Professor Hector Aguilar-Carreno's Lab. His research centres around vaccine development for viruses with pandemic potential, specifically SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) coronaviruses. He also studies virus-host interactions and immune responses to vaccination. Outside the lab, Richard enjoys watching movies and meeting new people from diverse backgrounds. In this episode, we talk about a whole lot of fascinating things from how the desire to solve a problem got him hooked to the field of immunology and vaccine development to the promises his current research offers for navigating future pandemics in Africa and beyond. Time stamps: 00:00 - intro 02:10 - overview of academic and research journey; why immunology (and vaccine development)? 06:37 - current research in graduate school 12:22 - implications of current research for Africa 19:13 - life as a graduate student (lab work, coping with failure and success, etc.) 29:30 - core guiding principles 32:07 - thoughts on immunology research in Africa 37:20 - final thoughts + fun task (reverse-spell 'neutrophil') 41:52 - outro
Understanding Variations in Vaccine Responses: What It Means for Africa - Dr. Abena Amoah
Originally from Ghana, Dr. Amoah was born and raised in Southern Africa. She holds a PhD. in immunoepidemiology from the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, an MSc in epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from Mount Holyoke College, United States. She has also held post-doctoral positions at both the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine based overseas in Malawi and Leiden University Medical Center.
In this episode, we explored her research career starting from her earliest foray into addictive diseases in the US, through her relocation to Ghana, which led her into the field of immunology and, by extension, her current role. The crux of this episode is the promises the project she oversees at the HypoVax Global Knowledge Hub hold for Africa, especially in the context of vaccine development and distribution. Visit www.hypovax.org to learn more about this project, make inquiries, or explore opportunities for collaboration.
Time stamps: 00.00 - intro; 02.37 - overview of educational and research background; 09.43 - blending immunology and epidemiology (immuno-epidemiology); 12.08 - the long, winding journey to her current role in understanding vaccine responses in different populations; 19.30 - more on understanding vaccine responses (promises for Africa); 26.51 - challenges associated with the project; 33:28 - final words (words of advice for emerging and established scientists, on navigating career post-PhD, etc.); 38.45 - outro
Unravelling Viral Diseases: How the Immune System Responds to the Lassa Fever Virus - Dr. Chinedu Ugwu
This episode explored Dr. Ugwu's works on viral diseases with a specific focus on his recent publication which evaluated immune responses to the Lassa Fever Virus in survivors and exposed contacts of the disease. You can learn more about the publication here (www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-26045-w).
Time stamps:
00.00 - intro; 02.20 - overview of education and current role; 04.50 - why immunology research?; 08.10 - overview of research in immunology; 12.10 - recent publication: findings and implications + questions; 29.10 - what are you up to now?; 33.40 - the impact of existing immunity on vaccination; 37:55 - how the field of immunology can inform the discovery of new/misdiagnosed diseases?; 47:00 - final words; 50.25 - outro
Immunology Talks to Public Health: Africa in Focus - Prof. Dimie Ogoina
Professor Dimie Ogoina is a Professor of Medicine and Head of the Infectious Diseases Unit at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, in Bayelsa, Nigeria. He obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and has spent the last two decades researching various infectious diseases. Professor Ogoina's research interests span HIV/AIDS, healthcare-associated infections, infection prevention and control, antimicrobial resistance, and epidemic-prone infectious diseases. He is also interested in clinical governance and quality improvement. He has held several leadership and administrative positions including serving as the case management lead during the monkeypox and COVID-19 outbreaks in Bayelsa and as the Chair, Subject Matter Experts, Community of Practice of COVID-19 case managers, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria. Professor Ogoina has also been a recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, right from his days in medical school. More recently, he was listed on Nature's Top 10 Scientists in 2022 and Time100 2023 List of The World's Most Influential People.
00.00 - intro; 03.03 - 'Immunology Talks to Public Health - what it means and why it matters?; 05.06 - how immunology contributes to advancing public health goals (highlighting mpox)?; 27.06 - the most pressing challenges (and solutions) to tackling infectious diseases for Africa's immunologists and public health professionals; 38.40 - understanding Africa's strengths and uniqueness in the context of the immune system and immune responses; 49.32 - on staying back in Nigeria/Africa to study or do research: what works well and can be improved on?; 01.00.53 - final thoughts; 01.03.00 - outro
Surmounting Hurdles: Charting a Course Through the Immune System for Africa - Prof. Raquel M. Chissumba
Understanding Neurocysticercosis: How Tapeworm Cysts Thwart & Trigger Epilepsy - Dr. Fabien Prodjinotho
Dr. Fabien Prodjinotho is a senior scientist in immunology and parasitology at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, and a co-founder of the Benin Society of Immunology. Although his research career in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) began in his home country, Benin, securing the DAAD scholarship led him to Germany, where he continued to follow his passion. His ultimate goal is to build capacities for immunological research and novel technology development for diagnosis in NTDs, especially in African countries.
In this episode, he talks about his work in unraveling different aspects of immune regulation in NTDs, with a focus on neurocysticercosis. His findings offer insights into how tapeworm cysts trigger epileptic seizures in infected humans with immense applications in the disease's diagnosis and treatment.
Time Stamps.
- 00.00 - intro
- 01.54 - an overview of Dr. Prodjinotho's journey and work
- 05.53 - why neglected tropical diseases
- 09.59 - an overview of recent work on tapeworm (Taenia solium)
- 26.49 - a few more details + implications of findings
- 35.05 - thoughts on the World NTDs Day & progress towards the 2030 road map targets
- 40.25 - outro
Carving a Niche: From Malaria to Tuberculosis & MAIT Cells - Prof. Muki Shey
Dr. Muki Shey is a Chief Research Scientist (at the Associate Professor level) and recipient of the Wellcome Intermediate Fellowship in Public Health & Tropical Medicine at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. In this episode, starting from his humble beginnings in Cameroun, he shares his journey and evolution into embracing the mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAIT cells) as a researcher in South Africa. His research, which now explores the role of these unconventional T cells in protection from infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, will contribute to our knowledge of how to make more effective vaccines against tuberculosis.
Rethinking Tuberculosis: Why Enhancing Immune Responses in Tuberculosis Might be Detrimental - Dr. Mohamed Ahmed
Mohamed Ahmed (PhD) is a fellow of the Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence (SANTHE) and a recent PhD graduate of the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) associated with the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in Durban, South Africa. In this episode, he talks about his return to tuberculosis (TB) research for his PhD after a not-so-motivating undergraduate experience. His PhD research showed that Interferon-gamma, a key regulator of TB immunity, interacts with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacterium that causes TB. This interaction, which increases Mtb virulence and metabolism, worsens TB infection. His findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that excessive immune responses might paradoxically be harmful to the control of human TB. In addition, the ability of Mtb to sense Interferon-gamma indicates an evolutionary measure to counter host immunity and enhance bacterial survival.
Current efforts to develop TB vaccines depend on boosting immune responses, as it is believed that natural immunity is inadequate to prevent disease. Mohamed hopes that the findings of his PhD research could inform future therapeutic and vaccine strategies to design more effective means to combat TB.
Untieing a Gordian Knot: Mother-to-Infant HIV Exposure - Dr. Sonwabile Dzanibe
Immunology in Africa: Telling Our Stories - Testimony Olumade
In this episode, Testimony Olumade, a research fellow at the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, takes us on his journey researching infectious diseases and expresses hope for the future of immunology research in Africa, while calling upon African immunology scientists to tell 'true and complete' stories of our research.
Welcome to ImmunoAfrica: Trailer - Wealth Okete
The Immunology in Africa Podcast (ImmunoAfrica), hosted by Wealth Okete, is dedicated to spotlighting immunology and related research in Africa / for Africa / by Africans.
By amplifying the stories, struggles, and successes of Africans researching the immune system, it creates a platform for scientists, budding researchers, and members of the public to explore the immune system collectively.