During the period from January to June 2023, CRID welcomed a number of visits and internships, showcasing a range of significant collaborations and opportunities for learning and research. Below are the most noteworthy ones.
Prof. Rhoel R. Dinglassan’s Visit
On June 2nd, 2023, CRID was privileged to welcome Professor Rhoel R. Dinglasan, a distinguished authority in infectious diseases and the Director of the CDC Southeastern Regional Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases at the University of Florida. As part of his visit to CRID, Professor Dinglasan was given a comprehensive tour of the insectarium, laboratories, and facilities. After this tour, he engaged in a private conversation with Professor Charles Wondji, CRID’s esteemed Executive Director. This exchange of ideas and expertise was a valuable opportunity for both scholars to share insights and perspectives on the latest advancements in the field of infectious diseases and vector-borne. We are honoured to have had the privilege of hosting Professor Dinglasan and we look forward to future collaborations between our institutions.
Honoured To Receive Senior Scientists
June 1st, 2023. CRID had the distinct honor of welcoming three renowned figures from the scientific research community to its premises. The esteemed visitors included Professor Anna-Bella Failloux, Head of the Arboviruses and Insects Vector Unit at Institut Pasteur in Paris, Dr. Florence Fouque from the World Health Organization (WHO) and team leader for TDR in Switzerland, and Dr. Pierre Formenty, group leader at WHO, Geneva. The distinguished guests were given a tour of CRID’s state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities, and engaged in an enriching exchange of ideas regarding the latest advancements in infectious disease research. They were warmly welcomed by CRID’s Executive Director, Professor Charles Wondji, who extended his hospitality and expertise to the visitors. This visit was a testament to CRID’s reputation as a leader in infectious disease research, and to the importance of fostering collaborative relationships within the worldwide scientific community.
CRIDians AT CDC ATLANTA
Dr. Magellan Tchouakui, a highly skilled research scientist, and Mrs. Murielle Wondji, an experienced laboratory manager at CRID, embarked on a crucial mission to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta from March 19th, 2023 to May 20th, 2023. Their primary objective was to conduct RNA sequencing on malaria vector mosquitoes from Cameroon and analyze the resulting data using CDC bioinformatics platforms. This trip was part of the collaborative project between CDC and CRID, entitled «Novel molecular diagnostic tools to detect emerging resistance to new generation public health insecticides». The project, funded by the Office of Advanced Molecular Detection, seeks to identify molecular markers of chlorfenapyr resistance in the primary African malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae, and use them to develop a DNA-based molecular diagnostic assay for chlorfenapyr resistance monitoring. The visit was critical to ensuring the success of the project and reinforcing the RNA-Seq laboratory and data analysis capacity at the Centre of Research in Infectious Diseases in Yaoundé, Cameroon. We commend Dr. Tchouakui and Mrs. Wondji for their commitment and expertise in advancing the fight against malaria, a major public health concern in Cameroon and beyond.
CRID Hosted Dr. Wildfred Ndifon
On April 28, 2023, CRID hosted Dr. Wildfred Ndifon from the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in Rwanda. Dr. Ndifon gave a 2-hour training session in CRID’s amphitheater on modeling real-time (RT-qPCR) results. The session was attended by CRID’s students, particularly those from the AComVeC project. Dr. Ndifon is a theoretical biologist who conducts research at the intersection of mathematical and biological sciences. His work focuses on understanding the mechanisms that regulate immune responses to diseases and developing improved diagnostics and vaccines.
Kelley Ambrose, Visited CRID
On Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023, Kelley Ambrose, Lead Program Manager for PMI Vectorlink visited CRID to discuss ongoing activities. She was accompanied by Dr Fondjo Etienne, CoP of the PMI Vectorlink project for Cameroon. They were received by Prof Charles Wondji, CRID’s Executive Director, and a team of researchers and Lab technicians implicated in the analysis of PMI samples molecular analysis running at CRID. It was an honor to receive them for an hour in our premises and to guide them through our laboratory and insectarium.This meeting helps consolidate the ongoing collaboration between PMI and CRID.
Dr. Justin Komguep Nono Shared His Experiences With CRID
On Tuesday, January 17th 2022, the Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID) received Dr. Justin Komguep Nono, Head of Unit of Immunology and Helminth Infections (IBHI) and Head of Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the Centre for Research in Health and Major Diseases, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies (IMPM). He gave a 30 minutes talk on “Influence of schistosomiasis on host vaccine response” and presented techniques that can be helpful in increasing the efficiency of malaria vaccines. This visit highlights the importance of doing transversal research and collaborations, for the improvement of sciences and research in Africa in general and Cameroon in particular. There are many reasons to think about new partnerships for development.
