By Kudakwashe Pembere
A South Africa based Zimbabwean researcher is among the winners of the Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2022.
Shingirai Chiwambutsa’s research dubbed ‘Effect of genetic polymorphism and co-medications on tamoxifen metabolising enzymes and plasma levels of endoxifen in black South African breast cancer patients’ earned her this recognition.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Shingirai is a PHD Candidate at University of the Witwatersrand studying Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacogenetics Modelling.
The MARS awards 2022 were announced in partnership with African Union (Scientific Technical Research Commission) with the aim to recognize African Researchers for their valuable research work and contribution to empowering women and youth in STEM in Africa with special focus on Scientific Research in Infectious Diseases and Cancer Research.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit -MARS said, “Like every year since 2016, I am extremely proud of MARS 7 winners who have been recognized under the two categories of ‘Best African Women Researchers Awards’ and ‘Best Young African Researcher Awards’ for their valuable contribution in research, especially by African Female Researchers who are under presented in this field, as we all know.” She said the awards seek to empower African researchers through enhancing their research capacity.
“Through Merck Foundation African Research Summit – MARS Awards, we aim to empower African young researchers and of course to empower and encourage African women researchers through advancing their research capacity and promote their contribution to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics),” Dr Kelej said. The winners of ‘Best African women Researchers Awards’ and ‘Best Young African Researcher Awards’ will be enrolled into research training at a premier research institute in India.
The MARS 2022 Award Winners are: Winners of “MARS Best African Women Researchers Awards”
• Gladys Kaba, Ghana TOPIC: Diversity of Cervicovaginal Human Papillomavirus Genotypes and Naturally Occurring E6/E7 DNA Sequence Polymorphism: A Study Among Selected Women with Clinical Suspicion of Cancer of the Cervix or Diagnosed Cervix Cancer/Precancer Cases in Ghana
• Amaya Jobin Habila, Nigeria TOPIC: Evaluation Of The Immunoprotective Potential Of Trypanosoma Brucei Glycerol Kinase In Mice • Shingirai Chiwambutsa, South Africa TOPIC: Effect of genetic polymorphism and co-medications on tamoxifen metabolising enzymes and plasma levels of endoxifen in black South African breast cancer patients • Ededia Firdawoke, Ethiopia TOPIC: HPV in women with invasive cervical cancer lesion and cancer: the use of urine as an adjunct specimen Winners of “MARS Best Young African Researchers Awards”
• Abu Bakarr Kamara, Sierra Leone TOPIC: Safety and immunogenicity of an Ad26.ZEBOV booster dose among children previously vaccinated with the two-dose heterologous Ad26.ZEBOV and MVA-BN-Filo Ebola vaccine regimen
• Fongang Che Landis, Cameroon TOPIC: Effectiveness of Mhealth (Text Messages) in Enhancing Cervical Cancer Screening uptake among Women in the North-West Region of Cameroon
• Eze Ajaegbu, Nigeria TOPIC: Anticancer agents from Millettia aboensis root Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit – MARS 2022 had a scientific support from African Union Scientific, Technical and Research Commission (AU-STRC), Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Graduate School.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej added that the role of scientific research in women health and Infertility and reproductive health will be the main focus for this year.
“I am also excited to announce the Call for Applications for our prestigious Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2023.
“‘The Role of Scientific Research in Women Health and Infertility & Reproductive Health’ will be the key focus this year. Eventually, through these awards, Merck Foundation aims to empower Women Researchers and young African researchers to strengthen the important role research plays towards contributing to public health thus improving healthcare capacity with special focus on women health, infertility and reproductive health in Africa.
MARS 2023 of Merck Foundation will be in partnership with African Reproductive Care Society (ARCS), International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and African Union Scientific Technical Research Commission. MARS aims to contribute to building research capacity in the African research community,” she said
Details for MARS AWARDS 2023 Abstracts are invited from final year African PhD students and young investigators involved in research related to either of the following topics:
1) Women Health
2) Infertility and Reproductive Health
The applicants should be primarily based at African Research Institutes and Universities. Last Date of Submission: Applications can be submitted till 31st July 2023
How to apply: Applications and abstracts can be submitted via email to mars@merck-foundation.com along with CV (including Name, Gender, Country, University/Hospital Name, Email address, Mobile Number) and the abstract document as an attachment.
Other Details: • All Abstracts will be peer reviewed.
• Research Awards will be dedicated for two categories of Best African Women Researchers and Best Young Africa Researchers
• Winners will be eligible for Research Training in prestigious Research Institute in India.