Second batch of EMBL-UNESCO fellows share experiences and insights from their residencies, which focused on infection biology
Science relies on collaboration across borders and continents. To create new opportunities for connections and knowledge exchange, EMBL teamed up with UNESCO to offer a new fellowship.
The initiative is aimed specifically at female African scientists working in infection biology. The three-month residency enables new skills development and builds connections between European and African scientists. Applications are now open for the 2025 residencies, closing on 31 March 2025.
Here, we caught up with 2024 fellows, Maame Ekua Acquah from Ghana and Oluwaremilekun Grace Ajakaye from Nigeria, who shared some insights into their experience at EMBL and advice for scientists who are considering taking part in this initiative.
Maame Ekua Acquah is a PhD student from the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) at the University of Ghana. Her research focuses on the host-viral dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 (the novel coronavirus which causes COVID-19), with particular emphasis on rural and urban communities in Ghana. By combining different research and clinical disciplines, such as virology, molecular biology, and epidemiology, she wants to understand how the virus may differently affect these groups at the molecular level.
Acquah became interested in the subject during the pandemic while working in a medical laboratory company that performs medical lab tests. As the only employee with a molecular biology background, she helped set up and run the COVID-19 testing facility. This experience made her realise that she wanted to make further scientific contributions to tackling the next pandemic threat.
By joining the EMBL-UNESCO Residency Programme in the Kowalinski group at EMBL Grenoble, she aims to gain complementary skills and expertise in biochemistry and structural biology, working on protein-protein interactions.
In addition to her background as a scientist, Acquah is a keen illustrator, employing a vibrant palette to depict her scientific and personal experiences. She shares this passion through her blog and social media channels. We asked her to illustrate her experience at EMBL Grenoble.
The first row in the image above depicts Acquah’s journey, where she travelled “from Accra, Ghana, to Paris, and a scenic train ride with a view of the mountains of Grenoble and finally to EMBL Grenoble.”
The second row represents her research on host-viral interactions and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 in epidemiologically diverse Ghanaian communities. “We are no longer in the pandemic,” said Acquah. “However, there remain many unanswered questions on COVID-19. Could investigating the host-viral dynamics with a focus on Ghana be the key to uncovering essential insights and foundational knowledge for future pandemic preparedness?”
The final row represents her general experience at EMBL. “You know you will have a beautiful stay when you walk in on your first day and you see your name on the info screen,” Acquah said. “Also when you cheer on your colleagues running for a good cause and when you come together to inspire the next generation of scientists at the French science fair ‘Fête de la Science’.”
Acquah believes she will take away many things from her stay at EMBL. “I have had to transition my scientific inquiry from a linear approach – thinking in terms of DNA sequence – to a structural approach – thinking in terms of 3D models of proteins – for my stay at EMBL Grenoble and it has been an intriguing experience,” she explained. “I had the opportunity to learn so much and also obtain skills that I can use for my PhD. I have filled up my knowledge bank with so many techniques that I can share upon my return to Ghana. Though the weather was cold, the people were warm and I am exceptionally grateful for such a life-changing opportunity.”
To facilitate her research and education following her return to Ghana, Acquah received additional support through the donation of a laptop by the KiKo gGmbH.
Parasitic diseases are a significant health challenge in Nigeria, where over 200 million people are at risk of contracting at least one neglected tropical disease. The main strategy for controlling parasitic diseases in Nigeria has been mass drug administration. However, this has proved insufficient, partly due to the parasites’ complex life cycles, and partially due to the emergence of drug resistance.
To address some of these challenges, Oluwaremilekun Grace Ajakaye established the Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology and Genomics of Neglected Tropical Diseases (LAMP-GNTD) at Adekunle Ajasin University, in Nigeria.
“My research focuses on the genetic variations that drive parasite transmission, evolution, and host shifts,” Ajakaye explained. “By using molecular techniques that can be deployed in the field, such as multi-marker next-generation sequencing (NGS), I can rapidly characterise parasites, even in resource-limited settings.”
“I am also committed to capacity building and mentorship, particularly in genomics,” she added. “I actively train young African scientists in these methodologies to conduct quality research in molecular parasitology. Ultimately, my research aims to generate data that will lead to more effective control strategies for parasitic diseases in Nigeria and the broader African context.”
To develop deeper expertise in bioinformatics, particularly in analysing genomic data related to parasitic disease, Ajakaye joined EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), near Cambridge, UK. With the help of an EMBL-UNESCO residency, she spent three months in the Lees research group, which focuses on pathogen informatics and modelling.
“I wanted to gain a more comprehensive understanding of bioinformatics tools and software that are applicable to my research, and to create workflows for the data that my lab will be generating,” she said. “This was a great learning opportunity, and a chance to connect with a wide range of experts at EMBL and the Wellcome Sanger Institute, which neighbours EMBL-EBI.”
Reflecting on what advice she would give to others considering this residency, Ajakaye said: “I spent a lot of time researching the most suitable group to join because I wanted to hit the ground running, and also gain additional skills. I advise having a plan for what you want to achieve, so you can focus on that. There are so many things you could do, so it can be easy to get distracted – it’s a bit like having a lot of rich foods at a table. Setting objectives helped me make the most of my experience.”
This initiative follows the 2023 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between EMBL and UNESCO, dedicated to promoting greater collaboration in the areas of open science, capacity building in developing countries, and the sharing of key resources to foster greater gender equality in science.
The residency is run by the Scientific Visitor Programme in collaboration with participating group leaders of the Infection Biology Transversal theme at EMBL.
