icipe – TWAS partnership

icipe has revitalized the Centre’s collaboration with TWAS, The World Academy of Sciences. In 2024, through TWAS Fellowships, we have welcomed several researchers through two programmes. The first is the TWAS Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (TWAS SG- NAPI). Launched by TWAS and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the programmes help to strengthen the capacity of African countries lagging in science and technology. They are aimed at young scientists who are becoming established in their country or are about to return home to an academic position. The second is the UNESCO-TWAS Fellow for research and advanced training. The fellowships enable young scientists in developing countries to spend three to 12 months at a research institution in a developing country other than their own. The purpose is to enhance the research capacity of promising scientists, especially those at the beginning of their research careers, helping them to foster links for further collaboration. Below, the fellows narrate their journeys, and the intersection between their personal visions and aspirations, and the opportunity to conduct research and receive mentorship at icipe.

Akua Konadu Antwi-Agyakwa (Ghana)

Fellow, TWAS Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (TWAS SG-NAPI)

Research Scientist, Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG)

I was born in Hohoe, Ghana, where I spent my early years with my parents. When my father’s job moved him to various places across the country, my siblings and I accompanied him until he retired from active duty. I am currently a Research Scientist at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), and I live in Akim-Tafo, a town in Eastern Ghana, with my own family.

My inspiration into science began during my high school education. As a child, I enjoyed science lessons. I remember asking my parents many questions whenever we visited our farm. In junior high school, biology was the subject that captivated me most. I was fascinated by the idea of how living things function. Because of this curiosity, I gained a deeper understanding of the living things I saw around me, beyond the answers my parents had given me as a young child. I studied general science in senior high school. My curiosity about biology continued to grow. I majored in agriculture in my undergraduate studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). As part of the BSc Agriculture programme, we travelled around the country visiting farms and laboratories. The CRIG was one of the institutions we visited. The excellent research environment and facilities enthralled me, and I promised myself that I would work in CRIG in future. Gratifyingly, I am now employed as a Research Scientist (Entomologist) at the institute of my dreams.

My MSc, obtained at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, was in Crop Protection (Entomology). I studied the susceptibility of cocoa mirids (the major insects that affect the crop; Sahlbergella singularis and Distantiella theobroma), to bifenthrin, one of the insecticides used to manage cocoa insect pests. I was awarded the International Branch Graduate Award (Entomological Society of America) in 2012, and the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) fellowship in 2011.

I undertook my PhD studies as an icipe African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Sciences (ARPPIS), supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), registered at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. I conducted my research in the icipe Behavioural and Chemical Ecology Unit (BCEU), on the development of semiochemical-based tools for the management of the African citrus triozid, Trioza erytreae. My supervisor was (now Emeritus) Prof. Baldwyn Torto, who was simply amazing. My interactions with him and other accomplished scientists, like Prof. Christian Pirk and Prof. Yusuf Abdullahi. transformed my path as a young scientist.

Receiving the TWAS SG-NAPI fellowship has been yet another great opportunity to further my professional journey through icipe. I am conducting research on the control of the mealybug, insects that transmit the cocoa swollen shoot virus disease, a major threat to the cocoa industry in Ghana. Mealybugs are difficult to eradicate using synthetic pesticides. I am currently researching the use of natural enemies and host plant resistance in bio-based management strategies to address the problem of mealybug control. I am conducting the experimental aspects of this research at icipe, based in the BCEU where I am collaborating with Dr Ayuka Fombong.

My future career plans are inspired by my skills, knowledge, background and passion. My interactions with farmers, who are often helpless in the face of insect pest infestations and the resulting economic losses, motivate me to work hard to provide solutions through the application of IPM strategies. I look forward to forging solid international partnerships to promote cutting-edge research. As a female scientist and a 2024 Falling Walls Female Science Talent Champion, I would also like to mentor other young people.

My parents are my biggest supporters a huge help to my professional development and encouragement I need to keep going. My inspiration comes from my spouse and kids.  I strive to make them proud. I gratefully acknowledge the intersection between my vision and aspirations, and the opportunities I have had at icipe.

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Dr Alpha Kargbo

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s

TWAS Fellow for research and advanced training at icipe

I was born in Brikama a town located in the West Coast Region of The Gambia. I received my elementary education in the town of Bo located in the Southern Region of Sierra Leone, where my dad was living. My family moved to The Gambia in 1997 due to the civil war in Sierra Leone. I completed my secondary schooling at St. Augustine’s Senior Secondary in Banjul, The Gambia, in 2003, and from there I proceeded to the Gambia College, where I graduated with a Higher Teacher’s Certificate in science. I taught science at Sibanor Junior Secondary School, Sibanor Village, The Gambia, for two years before proceeding to the University of The Gambia, where I graduated with a BSc in Biology Education in 2013. I have been working at the University of The Gambia from 2014 to date. At first as a teaching assistant and now as a full-time biology lecturer.

My inspiration in science began when I was 17, when a longstanding passion inspired me into the world of medicine and health. Joining The Gambia Red Cross Society was my first step, allowing me to assist peers with medical emergencies at school and solidify my commitment to health care. As I entered St Augustine’s Senior Secondary in Banjul, The Gambia, my fascination with Biology blossomed, reinforcing my resolve to either become a medical doctor or a researcher focusing on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This journey from helping others in need to a profound interest in medical research has been a defining part of my life, shaping my goals and aspirations.

My MSc research focus was on medical epidemiology. During my MSc studies, I was awarded a 2 years scholarship to study Medical Biotechnology at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria from 2016 to 2018. This opportunity allowed me to deepen my expertise in the field and further refine my research on trypanosomosis, contributing to a broader understanding of neglected tropical diseases and their impact on public health.  My MSc research focused on medical epidemiology, employing molecular techniques to investigate the prevalence of trypanosomosis in livestock across two regions in The Gambia. My findings highlighted that African Animal Trypanosomosis is a significant issue in cattle within the Lower River and Upper River Regions.

My PhD research was at the University Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, from 2019 to 2023 and it was focused on the impact of climate change on the distribution and diversity of trypanosoma vectors in The Gambia.  I specialised in climate change and health, with a comprehensive approach to understanding trypanosoma insect transmitting vectors (tsetse, horse and stable flies) in The Gambia. I concentrated on identifying these vectors across all the regions of The Gambia, employing a multidisciplinary method to study the ecological factors influencing their diversity, distribution, and abundance. To capture the vectors, I used three types of traps (the icipe NGU trap, Vavoua, and Biconical) and I then employed morphological methods and molecular methods for their identification. Complementing this, I conducted surveys with livestock owners to collect quantitative and qualitative data on the assessment of the perceived impact of climate change on livestock production and the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards Animal African trypanosomosis control in The Gambia. Through a five month internship, I had the chance to network with a leading expert in climate change and health research group at Heidelberg University, Germany. I acquired basic skills and concepts to model how climate variables affect the distribution of these Trypanosoma vectors in The Gambia.

My current research is aimed to enhance our understanding of vector-borne diseases and their dynamics in relation to both the vectors and their hosts. The UNESCO-TWAS Fellowship for Research and Advanced Training has provided me with the opportunity to work at icipe under the dynamic leadership and supervision of Dr Merid Getahun, a Senior Scientist at icipe who studies the neuroethology of veterinary, medical, and agricultural insects, to understand insect-host-pathogens interaction in the process develop tools for vectors/pest management, diseases diagnostic and mentor future scientists.  My research is focused on screening wild-caught tsetse flies, Tabanus spp, and Stomoxys spp from The Gambia for the presence of various pathogens, including Trypanosoma species, Babesia spp, Anaplasma spp, and Coxiella. I will also investigate the origin of the blood meals from these flies to gain insights into their feeding habits and potential reservoirs of infection. I appreciate icipe’s dedication to promoting science and to provide opportunities for upcoming scientists, like myself, to explore their scientific curiosity and test their hypotheses. At icipe, I have had numerous opportunities, including access to cutting-edge scientific equipment and high-quality mentorship. Such experiences enhance my scientific competence, networking, benefiting me and my institution.

My future career plans include: pursuing advanced post-doctoral fellowship training in molecular parasitology in order to stay current with the latest techniques and research metholologies; and designing and implementing research projects focused on the molecular mechanisms of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) prevalence in The Gambia, such as malaria, leishmaniasis, and lymphatic filariasis.

My greatest motivators are deeply rooted in my family. My late dad has always been my pillar of strength, offering unwavering support and guidance through every challenge I faced during my academic journey. His resilience and wisdom inspire me to persevere and strive for excellence. Equally significant is the memory of my late mother. Her love and values continue to influence my actions and decisions, reminding me to honour her legacy through kindness and dedication. Some of my dearest cousins and friends are also a source of inspiration and guidance. Together, their influence shapes my drive and commitment to achieving my goals.

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