Prof. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Executive Board and Family Board of E. Merck KG congratulated the winners. He said: “Merck will work together with UNESCO to empower young researchers which raises the level of scientific research in Africa and encourages in particular young women researchers to pursue their dreams, work for improving access to health solutions and make a difference in the continent. Moreover, I am very pleased to offer my support to motivate female researchers & healthcare providers and recognizes their excellent contribution to fields where they are underrepresented.”
In her introductory remarks, Dr Rasha Kelej, Chief Social Officer, Merck Healthcare highlighted: “This is the second UNESCO-MARS we are holding after the successful one held in Geneva, Switzerland in 2015. Merck is committed to empowering women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) which will consequently contribute to improving the quality of research and science in Africa.”
“Merck’s support for Women in research where they are currently under-represented will help bridge the gender gap in STEM in Africa. The five Best Women Researchers awardees from Kenya, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Uganda and Ethiopia were selected by the MARS Scientific Committee based on their high quality contribution to research in their respective fields of health sciences,” Kelej explained.
‘Best African Women Researchers Award’
The ‘Best African Women Researchers Awards’ with the aim of promoting women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) went to five women researchers from across Africa, who were recognized for the quality of their research.
Kenya
Beatrice Nyagol, Kenya Medical Research Institute
Awarded the 1st ‘Best African Women Researchers Award’ for her study on:
“Clinicians’ experiences and insights in conducting an intra-vaginal ring study among young women in Kisumu, Kenya, 2015 -Lessons learned”
“I am excited about winning the Merck 1st Best African Women Researchers Award and for them recognizing the effort that young researchers and scientists like us contribute towards research in Africa. It is a commendable step that Merck has taken to recognize young women doing research in Africa and the award will accelerate scientific research in Africa and more women will seek opportunities to be involved in research in Africa.”
Burkina Faso
Rogomenoma Ouedraogo, Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Ouagadougou
Awarded 2nd ‘Best African Women Researchers Award’ for her study on:
“Molecular diagnosis of cytomegalovirus (CMV), the human herpes virus type 6 (HHV6) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) by real-time PCR in pregnant women infected or not infected by HIV at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso”
“I am very happy to win the second award, this will encourage me to excel in my research to help the population in Burkina Fuse to access better healthcare solutions and will motivate other women researchers in my country”
Gabon
Sandrine Liabagui ep Assangaboua Ecole Doctorale Regionale d’Afrique Centrale, Franceville
Awarded (in absentia and received on her behalf) 3rd ‘Best African Women Researchers Award’ for her study on:
“Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in children with malaria in Franceville, Gabon”
Uganda
Maria Nabaggala, Infectious Diseases Institute
Awarded 4th ‘Best African Women Researchers Award’ for her study on:
“Understanding outcomes of HIV positive patient tracking following a missed appointment in rural Uganda”
“I am overjoyed at winning the 4th ‘Best African Women Researchers Award’. It is like a dream come true. I have worked on a number of projects and at last now I have a breakthrough. It seems like I have been reborn as a researcher as other opportunities are possible now. I now know what it feels like to be rewarded for success. The award has given me a stage to showcase my work.”
Ethiopia
Martha Zewdie, Armauer Hansen Research Institute
Awarded 5th ‘Best African Women Researchers Award’ for her study on:
“Ex-vivo characterization of regulatory T-cells in pulmonary tuberculosis patients, latently infected persons, and healthy endemic controls”
“I am very happy to be a recipient of the UNESCO-MARS ‘Best African Women Researchers Award’. It’s exciting to have this recognition for the work I have done in the past five years. The UNESCO-Merck Best African Women Researcher Award will encourage other young women researchers in Africa to work harder and to take the path of science as a career of choice.”
‘Best Young African Researchers Award’
The three categories of the ‘Best Young Researchers Award’ were given to two female and two male researchers Botswana, Cameroon, Gambia and Zimbabwe.
Botswana
Patricia Rantshabeng, University of Botswana
Awarded 1st place ‘Best Young African Researchers Award’ for her study on:
“Prevalence of oncogenic Human Papillomavirus genotypes in women with vulvar and cervical squamous cell carcinoma in Botswana”
“I am excited at winning the Merck Best Young African Researchers Award. It is nice to be appreciated when you do good work for the benefit of your people and the world at large. This has shown me that the current research that I am focusing on is of utmost importance and we must continue working on that to bring solutions to problems that we are facing in our different nations.”
Cameroon
Constantine Asahngwa, Cameroon Centre for Evidence Based Health Care
Awarded 2nd place ‘Best Young African Researchers Award’ for his study on:
“The experiences of women living with trachoma in Africa: A qualitative systematic review”
“I feel very honoured and motivated for winning the Merck Best Young Researchers Award. This Summit will benefit me in my career in the sense that the award I have received will be a recognition back home that will encourage me to develop and build capacities for young researchers in our centre.”
Zimbabwe
Tinashe Nyazika, University of Zimbabwe
Awarded 3rd place ‘Best Young African Researchers Award’ for his study on:
“Cryptococcus neoformans population diversity is not associated with clinical outcomes of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis patients in Zimbabwe”
“I feel honoured and excited to have won the Best Young Researchers Award. The UNESCO-Merck Africa Research Summit is the best I have attended as I have managed to collaborate with other researchers from Africa including people who are doing the same work as me. It is a good opportunity for African researchers to network and collaborate and establish long lasting relationships.”
Gambia
Lamin Cham, from National Aids Control Program
Awarded 3rd place ‘Best Young African Researchers Award’ for his study on:
‘Qualitative detection of proviral-DNA of HIV-1 in neonates to determine the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy in the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV-1 in the Gambia’
“I am grateful to have been selected as one of the Merck Best Young Researchers Award winner at UNESCO-MARS 2016. This Summit has improved my expertise in research as they have invited young researchers who are able to explore. I will be able to help my fellow young Gambian researchers back home.”
About 2016 MARS award winners
“Best African Women Researchers Award”