The second cohort of MMV-funded scholars commence training at the Malaria Research and Training Center, Mali

A scholarship fund was created following the death of Prof. Ogobara K. Doumbo in 2018, a renowned Malian scientist and MMV advisor who dedicated his career to the fight against malaria and for research capacity development. The fund was created by MMV in collaboration with the Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC)-University of Sciences, Technics and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Mali. The programme aims to help train the next generation of African researchers to continue innovating in the fight against malaria.

As of 1st March 2025, the second cohort of beneficiaries of the Ogobara K. Doumbo scholarship fund will start a three-month internship at the MRTC, where he was co-founder and Director of the Parasitology and Epidemiology section.

The following scholars will gain extensive and practical knowledge in a range of topics, including clinical trials, biostatistics, entomology, molecular biology and genetics:

• Abou Sogodogo, Master of Epidemiology, University of Technical Sciences and Technology of Bamako, Mali.
• Nina Ghislaine Yensii, PhD in Biochemistry Ongoing, Covenant University, Nigeria.
• Biaou Babatounde Sergio, Master of Biochemistry and Genetics in Health, Ecole polytechnique d'Abomey-Calavi (EPAC), Benin.
• Pius Atwau, Junior Research Fellow, Indian Institute of Technology, India.
• Oumou Dilly Fofana, Doctor in General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Mali.

This is another example of an MMV-supported project co-developed in close collaboration with African partners, with the goal of strengthening African capabilities in the field of malarial research. MMV has also worked with African partners on developing and expanding larger-scale research platforms, including WANECAM, CANTAM and PAMAfrica.

We congratulate the students and wish them all the best in this exciting opportunity in their careers.