Dr MARTIN FAYE | Diagnostic tools | Excellence in Research Award |

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Dr. MARTIN FAYE | Diagnostic tools| Excellence in Research Award |

Institut Pasteur de Dakar,Senegal

Professional Profiles:

SCOPUS

ORCID

 👨‍🎓 Bio Summary:

Dr. Martin Faye, a distinguished virologist from Senegal, is the Head of the Rabies and Viral Encephalitis Lab at the Institut Pasteur de Dakar. With over a decade of experience in infectious disease research, Dr. Faye has contributed significantly to the global understanding of arboviruses, viral encephalitis, and other zoonotic diseases. His expertise spans molecular epidemiology, infectious disease diagnostics, and genomic surveillance, particularly in response to public health emergencies like Ebola and SARS-CoV-2. Known for his dedication to capacity building, he has trained numerous scientists across Africa, strengthening regional diagnostic capabilities.

🎓 Educational Background:

Dr. Faye earned his Ph.D. in Virology in 2017 from the University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal, where he conducted groundbreaking research on the molecular epidemiology of viral encephalitis. He holds a Master’s degree in Molecular Virology (2012) from the same institution, focusing on West Nile virus replication kinetics. His academic foundation was established with a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences in 2010, followed by a Baccalaureate in 2006 from Lycée Blaise Diagne.

🔍 Research Focus:

Dr. Faye’s research is centered on infectious disease epidemiology, molecular virology, and public health microbiology. His primary focus areas include arboviruses, viral hemorrhagic fevers, rabies, enteroviruses, and SARS-CoV-2. He has led efforts in genomic surveillance, virus-host interactions, and developing molecular diagnostic tools. His work has had a profound impact on the understanding and management of viral outbreaks in West Africa.

🏆 Honors & Awards:

Dr. Faye has been recognized for his critical role in infectious disease response. He served as a WHO consultant during the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and received a Certificate of Satisfaction from WHO-AFRO for his contributions. Additionally, he has earned certificates of excellence for his peer-review work from prestigious journals such as Pathogens.

💼 Professional Experience:

Since 2023, Dr. Faye has been leading the Rabies and Viral Encephalitis Lab at Institut Pasteur de Dakar. He is also the Deputy Head of the sequencing core facility, contributing to the WHO Inter-country Reference Center for Poliomyelitis. His extensive fieldwork includes deploying mobile labs for COVID-19 diagnostics in Senegal and serving as a laboratory expert for the Ebola outbreak in the DRC. He has also played a pivotal role in training scientists from various African countries in molecular diagnostics and sequencing technologies.

 

📚 Top Noted Publications :

Title: Molecular Epidemiology and Pathogenicity of Wesselsbron Virus Circulating in Africa
Authors: Faye, M.; Di Paola, N.; Dia, M.; Sall, A.A.; Faye, O.
Journal: Virus Research
Year: 2024
Index: Volume 350, Article 199499
Citations: 0

Title: Recent Molecular Epidemiology of Echovirus 11 Throughout North and West Africa Resulted in the First Identification of a Recombinant Strain from an Acute Flaccid Paralysis Case in West Africa
Authors: Ndiaye, N.; Thiaw, F.D.; Lagare, A.; Faye, O.; Faye, M.
Journal: Viruses
Year: 2024
Index: Volume 16, Issue 11, Article 1772
Citations: 0

Title: Navigating the Route to Polio Eradication in the WHO AFRO Region
Authors: Chia, J.E.; Faye, M.; Jermaine, K.; Ahmed, J.; Anfumbom, K.
Journal: The Lancet
Year: 2024
Index: Volume 404, Issue 10463, Page 1637
Citations: 0

Title: Enhancing Readiness in Managing Mpox Outbreaks in Africa
Authors: Faye, M.; Roth, C.; Fitchett, J.R.A.; Sall, A.A.; Sow, A.
Journal: The Lancet
Year: 2024
Index: Volume 403, Issue 10446, Page 2779
Citations: 1

Title: Rapid Detection of Ebolavirus Using Isothermal Recombinase-Aided Amplification
Authors: Ceruti, A.; Faye, M.; Diagne, M.M.; El Wahed, A.A.; Weidmann, M.
Journal: Journal of Medical Virology
Year: 2024
Index: Volume 96, Issue 6, Article e29744
Citations: 0

Conclusion:

Dr. Martin Faye is a strong candidate for the Excellence in Research Award due to his extensive expertise in virology, impactful public health contributions, and commitment to capacity building in Africa. He demonstrates leadership in crucial global health initiatives and mentoring future scientists. Strengthening his publication record and pursuing broader research diversification would enhance his already impressive profile. He is a highly deserving candidate for this prestigious award.

Mrs Lerato Lucia Olifant | Public Health | Best Researcher Award |

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Mrs. Lerato Lucia Olifant| Public Health | Best Researcher Award

University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Professional Profiles:

ORCID

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

 👨‍🎓 Bio Summary:

Mrs. Lerato Lucia Olifant is an adaptable and driven health science researcher specializing in health promotion. With a strong foundation in community-based research, she has built a reputation for leveraging her skills in stakeholder engagement, data management, and leadership. As a second-year Ph.D. student, she focuses on HIV PrEP interventions, particularly among adolescent girls and young women. Mrs. Olifant’s career is rooted in her passion for improving community health and applying research-driven strategies to promote behavior change.

🎓 Educational Background:

2024 (Ongoing): Ph.D. in Public Health – University of Johannesburg

2021: Master of Health Sciences in Transdisciplinary Health Promotion – North-West University

2017: BA Honours in Psychology – North-West University

2016: BA in Health Sciences – North-West University

2006: Matric – Seiphemelo Secondary School

Mrs. Olifant’s educational background highlights a strong focus on health sciences and psychology, culminating in her current Ph.D. program, where she is dedicated to researching vital public health interventions.

🔍 Research Focus:

Mrs. Olifant’s research centers around HIV PrEP interventions aimed at adolescent girls and young women. She is deeply involved in exploring strategies to empower and protect vulnerable populations through health promotion. Her work focuses on designing interventions that bring about positive behavior change, utilizing a combination of fieldwork, community engagement, and evidence-based approaches to address pressing health challenges.

🏆 Honors & Awards:

Black Women in Science (BWiS) Fellowship – 2023 Cohort: A prestigious fellowship supporting women in STEM fields, equipping them with skills to succeed in their studies and careers.

Best Innovative Group Project Award – 2023: Received through the Black Women in Science Program, funded by the Department of Science and Innovation, recognizing her team’s innovative approach to solving social and business challenges.

Featured in a Book by Prof Phaswana-Mafuya (2023): Mrs. Olifant’s mentor-mentee relationship was highlighted in a book on research mentorship, reflecting her significant contributions and mentorship in academia.

These honors underscore Mrs. Olifant’s contributions to scientific research and innovation, particularly in health-related fields.

💼 Professional Experience:

Research Intern – Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (June 2021 – May 2022): Conducted research, data gathering, and analysis, while fostering community engagement and stakeholder relationships.

Project Facilitator – Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (January 2020 – December 2020): Managed fieldwork operations, coordinated with community forums, and facilitated training for field workers on upcoming research projects.

NRF Intern – Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (April 2018 – March 2019): Gained hands-on experience in data collection, fieldwork, and community health promotion.

Her roles reflect extensive experience in research management, community engagement, and health promotion.

📚 Top Noted Publications :

Title:
Using Mobile Phones for Collecting Health Information in Sub-Saharan Africa During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons from the World Development Indicators

Authors:
OJ Baruwa, H Asare, L Olifant, P Bester, IM Kruger, C Ricci

Citations:
BMJ Global Health 7 (Suppl 2)

Index:
BMJ Global Health

Year of Publication:
2022

Conclusion:

Lerato Lucia Olifant’s extensive research experience, leadership, and commitment to community health promotion make her a strong contender for a Best Researcher Award. Her achievements, particularly in the realm of public health and health promotion, show that she is well-regarded in her field. To further strengthen her case for such an award, she could focus on increasing her academic publications, expanding her research impact globally, and securing funding for her research projects. Overall, her combination of practical skills, academic excellence, and recognized achievements make her a solid candidate.