My story: from Kenyan villager to international researcher tackling energy and climate challenges - “Abundant energy resources without adequate human resource and access to cutting edge infrastructure remains Africa’s contradiction and greatest challenge to harnessing its primary resources to useful forms. The GCRF START grant has been the vehicle towards the realisation of both, with Dr Francis Otieno being the success story to this initiative. His journey encompasses the … Read more My story: from Kenyan villager to international researcher tackling energy and climate challenges
Biochemistry and X-rays, neutrons and advanced computing - “It is fascinating! I believe the GCRF START grant has laid a strong foundation for me to becoming an independent early career Structural Biologist. Now I am hands-on, a biochemist being chaperoned into the world of X-rays, electrons, neutrons, quantum mechanics and GPUs[1]” Dr Stanley Makumire, GCRF START Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Cape Town, … Read more Biochemistry and X-rays, neutrons and advanced computing
Studying the EatA protein passenger domain of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) bacteria – a cause of disease amongst children in developing countries - My name is Maria Hamunyela, and I am a second year PhD student in the structural biology research group at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Born and raised in a small town in northern Namibia, I was inspired to pursue my studies in science by women scientists that I have come across. Women in … Read more Studying the EatA protein passenger domain of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) bacteria – a cause of disease amongst children in developing countries
From medicinal chemist to protein crystallographer – Anton Hamann’s story - From medicinal chemist to protein crystallographer, Dr Anton Hamann has made remarkable strides in structural biology despite many challenges. These achievements he attributes to new doors of opportunity which have opened as a result of GCRF START grant funding for his role as a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at Stellenbosch University, South Africa – a role … Read more From medicinal chemist to protein crystallographer – Anton Hamann’s story
Expanding the pool of African research talent to tackle disease challenges – world class technology, expertise, and peer-training with the GCRF START grant - “Our collaboration with the GCRF START grant has allowed us to gain new skills and experience that has fast-tracked our research programme in antimicrobial drug discovery. It played an integral part in Blake’s development as a scientist too, through the visits to the UK’s national synchrotron, Diamond Light Source and XChem, and this investment is … Read more Expanding the pool of African research talent to tackle disease challenges – world class technology, expertise, and peer-training with the GCRF START grant
Breaking barriers and aiming high! An African woman in Energy Materials Science – Gugulethu Nkala’s story - “Hard work, dedication and endless opportunities, I can now say I am on the path to previously unimaginable goals. A dream come true! We are breaking the barriers that make Science seem unattainable, by being the link between Science and society, made possible by funding bodies like the GCRF START grant.” Gugulethu Nkala, PhD student … Read more Breaking barriers and aiming high! An African woman in Energy Materials Science – Gugulethu Nkala’s story
Next steps with the GCRF START grant: building on 30 years of successful UK-Africa collaboration and capacity building in energy materials science - “Now we have built up the base for computer modelling here in Southern Africa, the GCRF START grant will help us take experimental science, simulations and knowledge exchange even further, building on 30 years of successful collaboration between African and UK scientists to address global energy and climate challenges.” Prof. Phuti Ngoepe, GCRF START Co-Investigator, University of Limpopo, South Africa Long-standing collaborations with the UK … Read more Next steps with the GCRF START grant: building on 30 years of successful UK-Africa collaboration and capacity building in energy materials science
Addressing global challenges through a love of structural biology – my story as a GCRF START early career scientist - “Over the past two years, being involved in the GCRF START grant has allowed me to mature and to become much more independent as a scientist.” Dr Camien Tolmie, University of the Free State, South Africa The molecular workings of the natural world have always interested me, especially how we can use these processes to sustainably improve human health and agriculture. My name is Carmien Tolmie … Read more Addressing global challenges through a love of structural biology – my story as a GCRF START early career scientist
What GCRF START means for my research on human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 pseudovirions - “I think we, as African scientists, have a lot to offer. We are very connected and very close to the problems of the world. On a daily basis, we witness many of the global challenges first-hand and see the impact of diseases like HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, cancers and other communicable, as well as non-communicable diseases. We can see directly how our research can be life-saving. … Read more What GCRF START means for my research on human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 pseudovirions
Cultivating ACE research skills to tackle cardiovascular disease - “The GCRF START grant has been a game-changer for young African scientists, particularly from underrepresented groups such as female, and black scientists, enabling them to enter the field of Structural Biology and thrive. This has been achieved by collaborations from Africa and the UK, outstanding workshops on research techniques, international conferences, symposia hosted in Africa, and the recruitment of African scientific officers and postdoctoral fellows.” Prof. Edward D. Sturrock, University … Read more Cultivating ACE research skills to tackle cardiovascular disease
Fulfilling the vision! Why GCRF START means everything to me - “The GCRF START grant has initiated a beautiful story and this story involves developing African scientists, especially in terms of Synchrotron Radiation Technology and Research. We hope to continue this highly fruitful collaboration for many years to come.” Dr Ikechukwu Anthony Achilonu, Protein Structure-Function Research Unit (PSFRU), University of the Witwatersrand I love teaching and research, especially contributing towards human development through innovative research in medicine and biology. My research focuses … Read more Fulfilling the vision! Why GCRF START means everything to me
How I became an HIV research scientist – One Zimbabwean’s story - “Being a young woman in science, forging my career, can be challenging at times. However, I want to be an inspiration for young African girls and women to know that it is possible to fulfill your dreams and passions.” – Dr Thandeka Moyo, GCRF START Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the South African National Institute for … Read more How I became an HIV research scientist – One Zimbabwean’s story
“The bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity for growth.” – Mohamed Abdelaal’s story - “Working on renewable energy development is not just a job for us scientists; we are assisting both people and the environment to meet important Sustainable Development Goals in Africa, and globally.” Mohamed Abdelaal, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt In 2018, I joined the GCRF START Program with the support of my supervisor, START Co-Investigator, Prof. … Read more “The bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity for growth.” – Mohamed Abdelaal’s story
Inspiring the next generation of African scientists – Sikhumbuzo Masina’s story - “From an African perspective, I believe it is vital to inspire young, up and coming scientists. If there is inspiration and collaboration, there is learning, and learning can be passed on. There has to be continuity if science and innovation is to flourish across our continent.” Sikhumbuzo Masina, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa Sikhumbuzo … Read more Inspiring the next generation of African scientists – Sikhumbuzo Masina’s story
My Journey to becoming a START Postdoc Research Fellow – Dr Andani Mulelu’s story - As a young structural biology research scientist, Dr Andani Mulelu has already achieved what many dream of happening in a lifetime. His journey to becoming a GCRF START Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Cape Town (UCT) is one to inspire a new generation of African scientists, showing how UK and Africa can work … Read more My Journey to becoming a START Postdoc Research Fellow – Dr Andani Mulelu’s story
Synchrotron Techniques for African Research and Technology