Two researchers from the
"These computer scientists, engineers and biologists are proof of the diversity of women's scientific excellence in sub-Saharan Africa."
Abotsi and Nglazi were among 20 women scientists (15 PhD candidates and five post-doctoral researchers) from 15 countries chosen for the 10th edition of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Young Talents Awards.
They were chosen from among more than 400 candidates by a jury of experts.
"These computer scientists, engineers and biologists are proof of the diversity of women's scientific excellence in sub-Saharan Africa," says
The 20 winning researchers, along with their seven colleagues from the inaugural L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science South African National Programme, participated in four days of training in
Palt expressed her hope that this would help to "ensure they are better equipped to pursue their career and break the glass ceiling more easily."
Determining antibiotic resistance in potentially pathogenic bacteria present in the respiratory tract of HIV-infected children
Growing up in the Ghanaian town of Anloga (in the
"As a child, I would always read the label and chemical composition of every drug I came across," she recalls. "I was also intrigued by herbal preparations that seemed to have similar magical effects."
Her father, who had already encouraged his sons to pursue scientific careers, was even more keen to encourage his daughter's interest in science.
As a result of her long-held interest in drugs and the components that work together to create them, she decided to pursue an undergraduate degree in Pharmacy. She decided to move to
Through her PhD, she seeks to investigate antibiotic resistance in HIV-infected children with chronic lung disease (CLD). Some of her team's recent research in sub-Saharan Africa has shown that a novel type of chronic lung disease, known as obliterative bronchiolitis, is present in 30% of all HIV-infected children. Chronic lung disease is responsible for about 50% of all death and illness in HIV-infected children.
One of the aims of her research is to establish whether administering an antibiotic called azithromycin promotes resistant pathogens in the same way many other antibiotics do. The findings from her research will influence the recommendation of azithromycin as treatment for CLD in HIV-infected children.
"My ultimate goal as a researcher is to contribute to solving the global problem of antibiotic resistance, and my current research helps to achieve this goal."
Mweete Nglazi,
An analysis of overweight and obesity in
"I want to do work that will improve the lives of women in
While obesity is a topic that has been widely studied, Nglazi argues that very few researchers have focused on women of a childbearing age, between 15 and 49 years old.
"These women are at risk of a very particular set of obesity-related maternal and child health problems such as infertility, miscarriage, babies having congenital abnormalities and other adverse obstetric outcomes," she explains.
Nglazi is set to complete her dissertation in 2020 and foresees a bright future of commitment to furthering her research and academic interests.
"Being a teaching assistant, I really enjoy the contact with the students, especially young women. My wish is to be a professor and to work in a
A historical commitment
Created in 1998, the For Women in Science programme, led by the L'Oréal Foundation in partnership with
"The number of women in science is not yet significant: only 2.4% of the world's researchers are African scientists of whom 30% are women," says Palt. "Through the Young Talents Awards for Sub-Saharan Africa, we promote and support the continent's remarkable female researchers.
"They play a key role to develop inclusive research in
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