Ms. Ammazia Hanif | Infectious Diseases | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Ammazia Hanif | Infectious Diseases | Best Researcher Award

University of Tsukuba | Japan.

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🎓Education

Ammazia Hanif is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in International Public Policy at the University of Tsukuba (2022–2025). She previously earned a Master of International Public Policy (MIPP) from Tsukuba in 2022 and holds an MBA from the University of Central Punjab, Pakistan (2007).

💼Professional Experience

With extensive experience in both public administration and the banking sector, Ammazia served as a Planning Officer/Assistant Director at the Planning & Development Department, Punjab (2015–2020), where she contributed to policy planning and development projects. Prior to this, she worked as a Customer Services Operations Manager at United Bank Limited (2006–2012), gaining valuable expertise in financial operations and customer relations.

📚Academic Contributions

Ammazia’s research primarily focuses on public health and policy. She has published work on clean water and child health in Water Resources and Economics. Additionally, she has authored working papers on sanitation & child health, women’s anemia, and behavioral preferences in healthcare. Her academic journey includes research assistant roles at JIRCAS, Tsukuba, Ritsumeikan University, and Global Health Studies, where she contributed to various interdisciplinary projects.

🧑‍🔬Technical Skills 

Ammazia is proficient in statistical and GIS tools, including Stata, QGIS, R (basic), Google Earth Engine (basic), and LaTeX. She has hands-on experience in survey design, questionnaire development, and impact evaluation, making her well-equipped for data-driven policy research.

📚Teaching Experience

In addition to her research, Ammazia has been actively involved in academia as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Tsukuba, where she has taught Microeconomics, Data Science, GIS, and Globalization. She has also worked as an Economics Subject Teacher at Liberty International School, Tsukuba, demonstrating her commitment to education and knowledge dissemination.

🏆Awards and Honors

Ammazia’s academic excellence and research contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) DC2 Fellowship, Kubota Fund Scholarship (2023–2024), Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship (2020–2022), and the Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award (PEPP, Tsukuba, 2022).

🔬Research Interests

Her research interests lie at the intersection of Health & Sanitation Economics, Public Policy & Development, and Environmental Sustainability. Through her work, she aims to develop impactful policies that address critical global challenges in public health and environmental sustainability.

📑Notable Publications 

“The Benefit of Clean Water on Child Health: An Empirical Analysis with Specific Reference to Escherichia Coli Water Contamination”

Authors: Ammazia Hanif, Yuko Nakano, Midori Matsushima

Publication Year: 2024

Journal: Water Resources and Economics

“The Impact of Access to Improved Sanitation Facilities on Child Health in Pakistan”

Authors: Ammazia Hanif, Yuko Nakano, Midori Matsushima

Publication Year: 2022

Journal: Tsukuba Economics Working Papers

Prof Dr. Damalie Nakanjako | Immunology of Infections | Women Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Damalie Nakanjako | Immunology of Infections | Women Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Damalie Nakanjako, Makerere University, Uganda.

Prof. Dr. Damalie Nakanjako is a distinguished researcher in Immunology of Infections and a dedicated advocate for advancing women’s contributions to science. As a Professor of Medicine and a renowned immunologist, her research focuses on understanding immune responses to infectious diseases, particularly in resource-limited settings. She has made significant strides in studying HIV, tuberculosis, and other infections, contributing to innovative treatments and influencing global health policies. With numerous publications in high-impact journals, Prof. Nakanjako is internationally recognized for her leadership in research, clinical practice, and mentoring young scientists. Her groundbreaking contributions have positioned her as a leading voice in combating infections and improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations, while championing gender equity in research and academia.

Professional Profiles

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📚Education

Dr. Damalie Nakanjako’s education is marked by advanced training in medicine, biomedical sciences, and leadership. She earned her MBChB in Medicine and Surgery from Makerere University, Uganda in 1999, followed by a Master of Medicine (MMED) in Internal Medicine in 2005. She completed her PhD in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Antwerp, Belgium in 2010. In addition to her degrees, she has specialized in leadership and governance, earning a Certificate in Corporate Governance and a Certificate in Audit and Risk Management from the Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda in 2022 and 2023. Dr. Nakanjako also holds a Certificate in Leadership and Management in Health from the University of Washington, USA (2015). She has participated in key workshops, such as the Functional Genomics and Systems Biology Workshop at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (2014), and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship there from 2012 to 2013. Her commitment to professional development includes clinical research training through the Infectious Diseases Institute and GloCal Health Institute.

💼Experience

Dr. Nakanjako has over 10 years of leadership experience in academia, serving as the Principal of Makerere University College of Health Sciences and Former Dean of the School of Medicine. She has also led collaborative research and training programs aimed at building Africa’s scientific capacity in Infection and Immunity.

 

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Nakanjako is a renowned researcher in Infection and Immunity, with extensive expertise in HIV care, treatment, and prevention in sub-Saharan Africa. Her research focuses on chronic HIV-associated inflammation, immune aging, and non-AIDS illnesses, as well as the use of mobile health (m-health) platforms for patient follow-up. She has published over 107 scientific papers and authored books such as Efficient HIV/AIDS Care in Resource-Limited Settings.

 

👩‍🏫Mentorship and Networking

A mentor to over 58 graduate students and post-doctoral researchers, Dr. Nakanjako is actively involved in programs like the Makerere University-Uganda Virus Research Institute Infection and Immunity (MUII) and the Afya Bora Consortium. She is also the director of the ADAPT One Health network, working on antimicrobial stewardship in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

🏆Awards

Dr. Nakanjako has received several prestigious awards throughout her career, including the TWAS-Abdool Karim Award in Biological Sciences (2022), which recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of biological sciences. In 2013, she was honored with the Fourth Annual Merle A. Sande Health Leadership Award for her leadership in health sciences. Additionally, she earned the Young Investigator Award at the 18th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) (2011), highlighting her early and impactful contributions to medical research.

📑Top Note Publications

Title: Incidence and predictors of virological failure among HIV infected children and adolescents receiving second-line antiretroviral therapy in Uganda, a retrospective study

Authors: Musiime-Mwase F, Nakanjako D, Kanywa JB, Sewankambo N, Elyanu P.
Publication Year: 2024
Citations: 0

Title: Barriers and facilitators of cervical cancer screening literacy among rural women with HIV attending rural public health facilities in East Central Uganda: a qualitative study using the integrated model of health literacy

Authors: Namutundu J, Kiguli J, Nakku-Joloba E, Nakanjako D, Nakalembe M.
Publication Year: 2024
Citations: 0

Title: The clinical utility of cystatin C based eGFR in assessing renal function among HIV/AIDS patients on ART at Mildmay Uganda

Authors: Wekiya E, Mujuzi GP, Nakiyingi J, Mutebi EI, Nakanjako D.
Publication Year: 2024
Citations: 0

Title: Chronic immune activation and accelerated immune aging among HIV-infected adults receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy for at least 12 years in an African cohort

Authors: Nakanjako D, Nabatanzi R, Ssinabulya I, Banturaki G, Castelnuovo B.
Publication Year: 2024
Citations: 0

Title: Effectiveness of intensive adherence counselling in achieving an undetectable viral load among people on antiretroviral therapy with low-level viraemia in Uganda

Authors: Nanyeenya N, Nakanjako D, Makumbi F, Huzaifah M, Kiwanuka N.
Publication Year: 2024
Citations: 2

Karine Gloux | Virulence | Best Researcher Award

Karine Gloux | Virulence | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Karine Gloux,Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, France.

Mrs. Karine Gloux is a renowned researcher in microbiology, specializing in microbial virulence and host-pathogen interactions. Her groundbreaking work has advanced understanding of pathogen mechanisms, immune evasion, and infection establishment. With high-impact publications and prestigious awards, Gloux’s contributions influence academic and clinical approaches to infectious disease management. Her commitment to research excellence and mentoring the next generation of scientists marks her as a leading figure in global microbiological research.

Profile:

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Education

Mrs. Karine Gloux holds an impressive educational background in microbiology and plant sciences. She earned her PhD in 1990 from Dr. Le Rudulier’s laboratory, where she focused on the microbiology and physiology of plant symbiosis at the University of Rennes I, France. In 1995, she completed her Diplôme d’Études Approfondies in Plant Biology and Agroalimentary at the University of Nantes, France. Prior to that, in 1994, she obtained her Master’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Rennes I. This strong academic foundation has been integral to her pioneering research career.

Professional Experience

Mrs. Karine Gloux has held a series of esteemed positions throughout her career, contributing extensively to the field of microbiology. From 2011 to 2018, she served as a Senior Engineer/Researcher at the MICALIS institute (Microbiology of Food for Health, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech) at INRAE (National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment) in Dr. Philippe Gaudu’s lab, where her research focused on the role of host lipids in the adaptation of Staphylococcus aureus. Prior to that, between 1998 and 2010, she worked as an Engineer at INRA, leading projects on the functional screening of metagenomics clones from human intestinal microbiota and studying the impact of food on detoxication enzymes in the human intestine and liver. Her earlier experience from 1991 to 1998 includes work in Dr. Bernard Jouan’s lab at INRA’s Plant Pathology department in Rennes, France, where she investigated the relationship between osmoregulation and virulence of Erwinia chrysanthemi on potatoes and explored genetic determinants of the cauliflower mosaic virus. Gloux also completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Dr. C. Blanc’s lab on bacterial genetics and physiology at CNRS, Rennes, from 1990 to 1991. In terms of mentorship, between 1991 and 2018, she co-supervised 1 postdoctoral fellow, 4 PhD students, 8 Master’s students, and 8 engineering students at INRAE, Rennes, and Jouy en Josas. Additionally, she has a background in academia, having been a temporary teacher and contractual assistant professor at University Rennes from 1987 to 1990.

Research Expertise

Mrs. Karine Gloux’s research expertise spans a diverse range of areas in microbiology, including bacterial physiology and bacterial stress responses, where she has contributed significantly to understanding how bacteria adapt and survive under challenging conditions. Her work in functional metagenomics has provided insights into the genetic potential of microbial communities, while her proficiency in bioinformatics has enabled the analysis and interpretation of complex biological data. Additionally, Gloux’s knowledge in lipid biochemistry has been integral to her research on host-pathogen interactions and the role of lipids in bacterial adaptation.

Top Note Publications

Title: The double-edged role of FASII regulator FabT in Streptococcus pyogenes infection

Authors: Lambert, C., Gaillard, M., Wongdontree, P., … Gruss, A., Fouet, A.
Year: 2024
Citations: 0

Title: Aquatic environment drives the emergence of cell wall-deficient dormant forms in Listeria

Authors: Carvalho, F., Carreaux, A., Sartori-Rupp, A., … Bierne, H., Pagliuso, A.
Year: 2024
Citations: 0

Title: Oxidative stress is intrinsic to staphylococcal adaptation to fatty acid synthesis antibiotics

Authors: Wongdontree, P., Millan-Oropeza, A., Upfold, J., … Anba-Mondoloni, J., Gruss, A.
Year: 2024
Citations: 0

Title: Acyl-AcpB, a FabT corepressor in Streptococcus pyogenes

Authors: Lambert, C., d’Orfani, A., Gaillard, M., … Poyart, C., Fouet, A.
Year: 2023
Citations: 2

Title: A Streptococcus pyogenes DegV protein regulates the membrane lipid content and limits the formation of extracellular vesicles

Authors: Lambert, C., Poullion, T., Zhang, Q., … Poyart, C., Fouet, A.
Year: 2023
Citations: 2

Title: Mechanisms of acetoin toxicity and adaptive responses in an acetoin-producing species, Lactococcus lactis

Authors: Cesselin, B., Henry, C., Gruss, A., Gloux, K., Gaudu, P.
Year: 2021
Citations: 14

Title: Permissive Fatty Acid Incorporation Promotes Staphylococcal Adaptation to FASII Antibiotics in Host Environments

Authors: Kénanian, G., Morvan, C., Weckel, A., Gloux, K., Gruss, A., et al.
Year: 2019
Citations: 25