Francine Berlange SADO is a holder of a Bachelor and a Master’s degree in Clinical Biology from the University of Dschang in Cameroon. Her internship experiences in hospitals helped her familiarize with some biological methods, patient care (minor surgery, nursing and semiology) and learn how to collect biological samples (blood, urine etc). During her Master’s degree, she acquired skills in molecular biology and virology while working on the theme “Frequency of detection by RT-PCR of Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya viruses in febrile patients consulting at the New-Bell District hospital in Douala”, at the virology laboratory of Centre Pasteur of Cameroon (CPC). During this study, they found that Dengue virus serotype 1 was responsible for a portion of febrile syndromes observed in this health centre. Besides, she was involved in voluntary activities, mainly with the non-governmental organisation CASEC (Cancers Awareness Screening and Care) and she administered questionnaires during the determination of immunization coverage by the EPI (Extended Program of Immunization).
Her current PhD thesis at CRID centres on “Neglected arboviruses in Cameroon”. In this project, she is interested in arboviruses that can be transmitted to humans and animals by ticks, Culex, Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes. Special attention is given to the population at-risk (shepherds, slaughterhouse workers, ruminant sellers) for Rift valley fever and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. This study will help her identify viruses that can possibly emerge or re-emerge, thereby creating awareness for the establishment of a sustained surveillance system to detect cases, prevent potential outbreaks and implement arbovirus vector control strategies in Cameroon.
Francine looks forward to becoming a gold standard arboviologist in the scientific community. She wants to be involved in the development of new methods used in the management, diagnosis epidemiology and surveillance of arboviral diseases.