Correspondents
Timóteo Arnaldo Sambo is pursuing a PhD in Applied Mathematics and Computational Science at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (Tanzania), under the MaModAfrica scholarship. His research focuses on generating model-based evidence to guide the deployment of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention in Mozambique.
Being a MESA Correspondent at the “Malária nos PALOP” Conference is a valuable opportunity to strengthen my scientific communication skills and engage with leading experts in the field of malaria modelling.
Tope Kayode is a Public health Physician with over 10 years health sector experience mostly invested in malaria programs. She has undertaken consultancy assignments on development of malaria operational plans and budgeting, reviews and capacity building of health workers across States in Nigeria. She works at Leverage consulting, Abuja, as a program management consultant. Her proposed research interests are in malaria in pregnancy, malaria in under-5, access to care and maternal health.
Tope is excited as a MESA correspondent, she looks forward to the opportunity to contribute, network and improve her skills and knowledge in malaria research.
Trizah Koyi is a PhD student of Medical Entomology at the International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Kenya). Her research interests are in the area of natural product chemistry and drug design. Currently, she is studying mosquito-parasite interactions with the aim of designing interventions that can disrupt the transmission of the malaria parasite to humans.
The upcoming conference on elimination of vector-borne diseases in Africa to be held in Yaounde is of great relevance to my current work as well as research interest.
Udoka Chukwubuofu Nwangwu is currently working as a Research Entomologist with the National Arbovirus and Vectors Research Centre (NAVRC), Enugu (Nigeria). His research focuses on the control of malaria and arbovirus vectors.
Working as a MESA Correspondent is a huge opportunity to serve, link up and learn the latest advances (from some of the best) in malaria research.
Varijakshi Gutthedhar is a PhD candidate at the Department of Biotechnology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India. Her research investigates human epigenetic factors influencing malaria infection and parasite factors related to transmission and drug resistance in an elimination-focused region of India.
This rare opportunity will enhance my writing, build confidence in networking, and broaden my knowledge in new areas of malaria research. Contributing to a globally recognized knowledge hub will position me as an active researcher and open doors to future opportunities.
Varun Gorki is a researcher at the Department of Zoology, Panjab University Chandigarh, India, working on drug designing and discovery by exploring the isolation, screening of natural and synthetic compounds (In vitro Plasmodium falciparum resistant and sensitive strains and in vivo against Plasmodium berghei NK-65 and ANKA) in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemistry department of Panjab University. Also, I am exploring immuno-chemotherapy (using TLRs agonists) as a novel approach to treat malaria employing genetic tools.
I am confident that my affiliation with MESA will broaden my social and scientific horizons, and it will serve as an excellent platform for building a strong network with outstanding scientists.
Vita Mithi from Malawi, is currently working as a MESA Consultant: Systematic Review technician and researcher with a focus on implementation science of malaria elimination strategies. He states that “Malaria is a mystery, a part of the ultimate mystery of nature”.
Being a MESA Correspondent exposes one to current advancements of unlocking the mystery of malaria and take part in the fight against malaria.
Wilson Tavares is a final-year PhD candidate at the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT), in collaboration with the Institute for Genome Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) in the United States. His research focuses on Plasmodium falciparum, the primary causative agent of human malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Using next-generation sequencing technologies and bioinformatics, he aims to generate whole-genome sequences to characterize parasite genetic diversity, population structure, and migration patterns in Angola and neighboring countries, which could possibly support interventions by the Angolan National Malaria Control Program.”Becoming a MESA correspondent at the Malaria in the Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) is an important step for me, as it aligns with my commitment to research and science communication in the region. With a background in genomics and epidemiology, I can translate complex findings into accessible content. This role will help amplify key insights from the conference and promote regional efforts in the fight against malaria.
