In the event of pandemic challenges, scientists have been working on solutions to promote best practices and save communities. Elicana Nduhuura, a final year Medical Student at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) joins this circle of innovative healthcare professionals in pursuit of good health and wellbeing for all.
Shortly after the call for proposals in middle of the year 2021, Elicana teamed up with 2 scholars Kenza and Julie from Belgium and USA respectively, joining other students from Uganda and the rest of the world to answer a question, “What life science research should not be conducted, if any? Should red lines in life science research be drawn? If so, by whom?”
The team drafted a proposal under the theme “Towards Responsible Genomic Surveillance: A review of Biosecurity and Dual Use Regulation” to be evaluated at a global competition organized by Nuclear threat Initiative and Next Generation Global Health Security Network.
A panel of 20 experts reviewed the submissions from 5 continents where the winning paper was drawn to crown the 2021 Next Generation Biosecurity competition winners. In this paper, the team reviewed current Genomic Surveillance pipelines and identified areas of risk that threaten the future of public health in face of emerging technology.
They offer Policy recommendations to Key stakeholders across United Nations entities on what should be done emphasizing areas of restrictions, public trust and transparency in governance systems. As a future global health scientist, Elicana believes that life science research is key in driving the sustainable development goals particularly promoting Health for all through manufacture of vaccines, drugs and predicting potential threats as well as creating mitigation strategies especially at the time of escalating bioterrorism and emerging pandemics.
As a student, Elicana continues to inspire and champion change by mentoring other young people to lead and address global challenges while speaking at conferences, writing Publications and founding student bodies with purpose to transform societies.
“Looking at the African Union agenda 2063, Aspiration 1 and 4, global health security is paramount to population health and therefore deserves that attention. With global players such as the Africa CDC, strengthening practices in capture, storage and sharing of genomic material with big data companies requires strong foundations, better infrastructure with trust of systems to match the rapidly advancing technology. As such, scientific collaborations are vital and community participation must not be ignored,” Elicana adds.
Previously, Elicana was recognized at European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases among the 30 under 30 young Scientists. This idea will be presented at the Biological Weapons Convention States of Parties Meeting and availed to Public via UN Web Television.
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