I am very honored to have been selected as a the second-ever African based fellow of the ISCB, International Society for Computational Biology. Being a fellow is highest honor awarded by ISCB and is recognized as the career distinction in the global bioinformatics & computational biology community.

In the age of scientific misinformation & disinformation, we decided to invest in to create a scientific magazine that is curated using professional journalists and media communicators to highlight excellence of African science and innovation! Access the full magazine online at: ceri.africa/the-gem/

Well! What to say, amazing nature and flowers in early spring in the country with the biggest plant biodiversity in the world, beautiful South Africa

As we embrace Friday, let's remember the importance of letting our hair down—relaxing, being ourselves, and acting freely without the constraints of rules or the opinions of others. I just returned from a wonderful trip to the wildflowers, waterfalls, and mountains. Wishing everyone a happy Friday!

This Saturday is Nelson Mandela Day, so honored to be given a special lecture on Science, Human Rights and the Power of Inclusion. Scientific excellence thrives when inclusion, equality, and respect are treated not only as values but as guiding principles. Join online - tinyurl.com/4xxjzjv5

Ancient pathogen genomics in Africa: Current evidence and future directions. In this manuscript, we reviewed Africa’s long history of infectious diseases, reflected in the burdens of tuberculosis, cholera, typhoid, malaria, and schistosomiasis. Open access: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Winter is a wonderful time to connect! I am excited to announce some great events happening on July 24, 2026, at Stellenbosch. Join us for the "Biotech Beers" event at a fantastic venue. Before that, we will have a paddle partnership with SWEAT Africa. sweat.africa/sweat-connec...

Friday late afternoon is for large genomics runs at one of the largest and most altomated genomics lab in Africa and the world! South African science to lead and protect the world at CERI - Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation Stellenbosch University

I am pleased to introduce Abduljalal Nadabo, from Nigeria, a new African STARS Fellow, who is a pharmacist, researcher, and health policy fellow. He works at the intersection of vaccinology, regulatory science, and vaccine delivery innovation, focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa.

One of my favourite things is to do is long trains journeys. Today, 7h trip from Kobe in southern Denmark to Uppsala in Northern Sweden. Time to enjoy beautiful nature and good time to think and do creative scientific work. #Train #Journeys

Tomorrow, I will be at the headquarters of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in Stockholm, Sweden, to give a presentation on how to accelerate genomics surveillance and innovation in Africa. To join the meeting, please follow this link: lnkd.in/dhGxwDNN

What a day! A happy day, when we announce the winners of the African STARS Fellowship. Fifty (50) amazing African scientists that will work with us and IPD for up to one year to advance science and innovation in Africa! starsfellows.africa

Lenacapavir is the most exciting tool to fight AIDS since antiretroviral therapy by Peter Sands, head of Global Fund. Lenacapavir is being rolled out in 24 African countries and Gilead Sciences has already approved to be generic! So the most potent tool will be easily and cheaply available.

95% of generative AI pilots are failing? What do you think? Is that true?

Though provoking presentation by Prof Moffat Nyirenda on how diabetes presents like a very different disease in Africans! No need for obesity to develop diabetes in Uganda! Are we talking about two different diseases? MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Summit

What an amazing and inspiring lecture by Matthias H. Tschöp on the multiple benefits of GLP-1 and other anti obesity drugs! From cancer to alcohol addiction at Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Summit in Denmark LMU Munich – Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Great visuals from the Global Disease Burden showing that both communicable and infectious diseases in decreasing quality of live in the world. Novo Nordisk Foundation Global Science Sunmit

20 millions deaths of cardio metabolic diseases a year, a challenge that Novo Nordisk Foundation want to solve! #NNFSumit2026

To decrease the cycle of neglect and panic, we continue to advance science on pathogens that can lead to new epidemics and pandemics. I am pleased to announce a significant output on Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV), where our team analyzed over 20,000 new mutations. link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Life is made of moments. This week, I experienced a special moment in Sweden by celebrating Midsummer. It was a memorable day filled with great friends and an opportunity to learn about Swedish culture and traditions. #Work #Life #Balance #Fun #Sweden

Today in Helsinki, I had the opportunity to meet with titans and founders, including Peter Vesterbacka, the founder of Slush and a notable figure in innovation. This meeting fostered great collaboration as we prepare for Slush, while focusing on bringing top Finnish entrepreneurs to SWEAT Africa.

This program instills hope in the world. Its main message is clear: "We can work together, without borders, to advance new therapies & diagnostics to the clinic." This collaborative effort can be approached positively & gently providing inspiration and capacity for numerous countries & universities.

Lovely music experience,'five fantastic Finish musicians playing by ear to innovators so we can feel how to create but also how to incrementaly build on ideas.

What to say? So inspiring to be in one of the most advanced Medical Innovation program in the world, the SPARK Global, having its annual meeting in Helsinki, Finland! Over 1000 spin outs created in 30 countries

A peaceful early morning walk by a calm sea to remember the youths that died on 16 of June 1976 protests for better education in South Africa

Long days in Finland! it is 10pm and sun still shinning as I arrive to the annual innovation meeting. A Special one as SPARK Stanford 20 years celebration and Finland 10 years of biotech and healthtech innovation.

I am honored to collaborate with leading African scientists and public health officials on the Ebola outbreak. In our article published in The Lancet, we discuss the challenges and priorities for epidemic preparedness and response. www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

Ebola outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus: challenges and priorities for epidemic preparedness and response

Since WHO declared the ongoing outbreak of Ebola virus disease caused by Bundibugyo virus (species Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense; BDBV) in DR Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of internation...

thelancet.com

This week brought even more exciting news! A once-weekly Lenacapavir-based pill has now demonstrated similar outcomes to daily aARVs, i.e. non-inferiority. This could significantly impact treatment adherence and quality of life of people living with HIV www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/news/gilead-....

Gilead and MSD’s once-weekly HIV pill meets primary endpoints in Phase III trials

Gilead and MSD will be filing the data from the Phase III trials of the once-weekly HIV pill to regulatory authorities.

clinicaltrialsarena.com

This week, nearly 100 international science communicators gathered at CERI to address the pressing issue of protecting scientists from aggression. Many scientists have expressed concerns about sharing scientific results due to the rise of anti-science sentiment from certain far-right factions

All are welcome, in person or online! Next Monday, I am delivering the SAMRC President and CEO Lecture Date: 8 June 2026; Time: 11:00 - 13:00 Location: SAMRC Headquarters in Cape Town and Online. Registration Information: www.samrc.ac.za/event/samrc-...