Collins M. Morang'a

We’re at Techiman Senior High School for Day 2 of the WACCBIP DELTAS SHS Outreach! Students are arriving and registration is in progress as we get ready for another day of STEM engagement. #WACCBIP #DELTASAfrica #SHSOutreach #STEMEducation #InspiringYoungMinds #FutureScientists

“Stay curious, work hard and never stop asking questions.” WACCBIP Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Collins M. Morang’a (@collinsmisita) inspires all students to take their studies seriously and nurture their curiosity as they pursue their dreams in science. #WACCBIP #DELTASAfrica #SHSOutreach #STEMEducation

The final day of the RISE-GHS training focuses on bioinformatics, led by Dr. Collins Morang'a, as participants work with the sequencing data generated during the week. The session covers the role of genomics in public health, the genomic surveillance pipeline, and key considerations around data management, sharing and ethics. Participants are also introduced to EPI2ME, where they set up their workstations, analyse their Oxford Nanopore data and visualise the results. The session brings together the laboratory and bioinformatics components of the training. #WACCBIP #ArticNetwork

Continuing his keynote at #WRC2026, Prof. David Alagpulinsa highlights the important role of blood-forming (hematopoietic) stem cells in understanding complex diseases. Drawing on studies of conditions such as type 1 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive function, he shows how shared genetic variants may influence multiple biological systems simultaneously. His work demonstrates how integrating genomics, immune biology, and large-scale genetic datasets can provide deeper insight into disease mechanisms and support more personalized approaches to healthcare. #WRC2026 #WACCBIP #Genomics #PrecisionMedicine #HumanGenetics

We’re proud to share our contribution to The Lancet Global Health. 🎉 This commentary represents WACCBIP’s intellectual contribution to the subject, building on our previous work and engaging new findings from the Barsosio et al. study. 🔗 Read the full article here: bit.ly/4tPC83p

Closing the GDRS Stakeholder Engagement, participants engaged in group discussions led by Dr Natalie Melchers. Using Reveal as a case study for digital surveillance, conversations focused on its potential impact on their work and what is needed to effectively adopt such tools. #GDRS #DigitalHealth #GlobalHealth

@WACCBIP_UG is pleased to host a delegation from Sartorius, a global provider of biopharmaceutical technologies, during their recent visit to Accra to explore potential collaborations with the Centre. During the visit, the team held productive discussions with WACCBIP on opportunities in training and short courses, virtual reality applications, and co-investment. They also toured WACCBIP’s laboratories, gaining insight into the Centre’s research infrastructure and ongoing work. We look forward to strengthening this partnership to advance research and innovation in the life sciences.

Day 2 underway at the Viral Sequencing & Bioinformatics ARTIC Workshop! Ian Goodfellow recapped Day 1 and outlined the next steps in the lab protocol. Dr. Myra Hosmillo then walked participants through the theory behind SPRI clean-up, end prep, and barcode and adaptor ligation. Gearing up for a hands-on day!

Upcoming Workshop: ARTIC Viral Genomics Training WACCBIP, in collaboration with the ARTIC Network, is hosting a hands-on workshop on the ARTIC amplicon-based sequencing method for real-time viral outbreak surveillance. The training will cover the full workflow—from sample preparation to data analysis. Who should apply: Researchers and public health laboratory staff with a background in molecular biology and an interest in outbreak genomics. Apply by: 10 January 2026 Applications should be submitted at: redcap.link/bzxttagu More info: bit.ly/48F3At8

Congratulations to @DrPKQuashie our Deputy Director, Research, on his promotion to Associate Professor! 🎉 A fantastic achievement and a proud moment for @WACCBIP_UG!👏🏽

Through the DELTAS Africa programme, over 86% of WACCBIP-trained PhDs, and Postdocs have remained on the continent.

Chaired by Prof. Kirk Deitsch and Dr. Collins Morang’a, the plenary by Dr. Isaiah Debrah spotlighted rising insecticide resistance in Ghana’s malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae. His study showed extreme resistance to pyrethroids—even with 10× doses, mosquito death rates were just 2–7%. PBO pre-treatment didn’t restore effectiveness, raising serious concerns about the future of treated bed nets. RNA sequencing revealed over 1,100 differentially expressed genes, including detox genes like CYP6 P450s and GSTs, contributing to resistance across insecticides. #WRC2025 #MalariaControl #VectorResistance #PublicHealth

At #WRC2025, Dr. Tochukwu Dubem Anyaduba wowed the audience with his plenary, “From Sugar to Chips.” He shared breakthrough tools built for African labs—like sugar-based microfluidic chips made without 3D printers, and bacterial culture plates that give antibiotic results in just 12 hours. His team also created fast, single-tube diagnostics and 5-minute lasso bead tests for pathogens in water and urine. With smart use of local materials and simple tech, Dr. Anyaduba is proving that cutting-edge diagnostics don’t have to be out of reach. #WRC2025 #DiagnosticsForAfrica #GlobalHealthInnovation #AfricanScience