University of Virginia Health System

I was born on Monday, 16 July 1973 in Baigom – Foumbot, Cameroon. I hold a masters degree in Biochemistry obtained in 1997 at the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon. From then I was working on the epidemiology, and diagnosis of infectious diseases including Amoebiasis, Candidiasis and measles in the laboratory of microbial Biotechnology, Biotechnology centre of Nkolbisson, Yaoundé Cameroon. Together with the team of the laboratory in Cameroon, We designed and tested a kit for the detection of Measles as well as an immunoperoxidase method for the detection of Entamoeba histolytica. In 2002 I was awarded a UNESCO Biotechnology Action Scholarship to go to Zimbabwe to learn the application and practice of Molecular Biology Techniques. In September 2003 I registered for a PhD degree with the University of Venda where I have also being serving as a Part – Time lecturer. At the UVA, I will be working on the molecular characterization of Entamoeba histolytica and Campylobacter spp as well as the immunomodulatory activities of medicinal plants with Professor R. Guerrant. However, in the past I have communicated with Prof Petri who had arranged for the Entamoeba histolytica Antigen detection kits to be sent to me by the Techlab and that I have used in previous studies to identify stool samples containing Entamoeba antigens. The methods and techniques I will learn at the UVA will be communicated to other students and lecturers at the University of Venda. It will also help to advance knowledge on the genetic characteristics of Entamoeba histolytica and Campylobacter strains isolated in the Venda region. Those methods and techniques will also be used for other projects undertaken at the University of Venda. In the future I would like to develop collaborative projects with the Center for Global Health that will be helpful to the Venda community and to the community living in Charlottesville in terms of the improvement of health quality. This includes the development of new diagnostic and/or treatment methods for diseases common in both communities. Globally my hope for the next five to ten years is to have a minimum of two products developed and patented.