A delegation from the Centre of Experimental Medicine (CEM) at Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, has visited the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) as part of arrangements to establish a collaborative research partnership between the two Centres.
The delegation with WACCBIP faculty
The team visited on February 20th-22nd, 2018, and held a collaborative research symposium with WACCBIP faculty, discussing a broad range of topics including bacterial infections, immunity and parasite genetic diversity, drug and biomarker discovery, and clinical research.
Highlighting the commitment of WACCBIP to mobilise young people in cutting-edge scientific research and to drive innovation, Prof Gordon Awandare, Director of WACCBIP, said that, WACCBIP has established partnerships at local, national and international level and would be happy to collaborate with CEM. This, according to him, is in line with WACCBIP internationalisation drive. He also presented a report on ongoing research on infectious diseases at WACCBIP, which he said was appropriately translated to benefit Africa at large.
Prof Gordon Awandare, Director of WACCBIP gives a lecture
“WACCBIP has broad research areas, the idea is to mobilise the best. So far, we have trained 150 students. One thing we are proud of is that, we have tailored our graduate programmes to be the best,” Prof. Awandare said. “We have national and international accreditation. Our international advanced degree accreditation is from the Royal Society of Biology (RSoB), United Kingdom. We are the first in Africa to get such an accreditation from them. We have also committed $5 million in our students.”
The Centre for Experimental Medicine brings together world-class researchers and experts in the fields of immunology, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, and clinical trials. Their collective focus is to make discoveries which will lead to new treatments and improve the quality of life.
Prof. Jose Bengoechea, Director for CEM
Prof. Jose Bengoechea, Director for CEM, stated that the efforts and achievements of WACCBIP had attracted the Centre to consider an official partnership following the initial contact and subsequent collaboration between individual members of faculty of both Centres. He said that CEM, as a world-class centre of research excellence, only sought partnerships that would add value to its activities. He added that WACCBIP was the first Centre CEM had initiated this kind of partnership with.
Prof. Bengoechea went on to talk about CEM's research focus and priorities. He said the Centre aims to develop innovative ways of treating and solving issues related to respiratory, eye, vascular, and infectious diseases.
“CEM have four strategic priorities, which is to push research boundaries, develop cutting-edge technologies, nurture talent and inspire the public,” Prof. Bengoechea said.
Prof. Miguel Valvano gives a lecture
He said that the Centre, which has 200 research staff from 26 nationalities and 137 PhD students, is keen on having mutual opportunities with WACCBIP in partnership research programmes, students exchange, and joint consultations for identifying research priorities.
Dr. Lydia Mosi gives a lecture on Buruli Ulcer
Dr. Beckie Ingram gives a lecture
The two-day symposium provided an initial platform for researchers from both Centres to talk about their individual research and share ideas on complementing and collaborating on advanced research in the future. Participating faculty included Prof. Miguel Valvano, Dr. Gunnar Schroeder, Dr. Beckie Ingram, Dr. Tim Curtis, Dr. Cecilia O'Kane, Dr. Derek Brazil, Dr. Ultan Power, Dr. Chris Watson. Prof. Gordon Awandare, Dr. Lydia Mosi, Dr. Yaw Aniweh, Dr. Samuel Duodu, and Dr. Patrick Arthur.
The delegation touring the various laboratories and facilities
The delegation at LEKMA hospital
The delegation interacted with faculty members, students, and toured the various laboratories and facilities. They commended WACCBIP for its excellent trail of achievements and expressed an eagerness to visit again.
