Correspondents

Akua Obenewaa Danquah Yirenkyi is a Senior Research Assistant at the Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Ghana. She specializes in evaluating insecticide-treated nets and focuses on insecticide resistance development and its implications for the effectiveness of vector control interventions.

Reporting at the 9th PAMCA Annual Conference and Exhibition was an eye-opening experience. Engaging with experts, discussing innovative research, and learning about new approaches to malaria control further fueled my passion for malaria research. I look forward to continuing these conversations while reporting at the WiM 2025 conference.

Awa Mariama Sene is a Data Science Intern at the National Agency of Statistics and Demography (ANSD), Senegal.

I am passionate about data and communication and deeply committed to using data science to promote public health and sustainable development in Africa. Joining the MESA Correspondents program is an exciting opportunity for me to contribute to the visibility of scientific advances and to connect with inspiring experts and peers across the continent.

Djelissa Sofia Fernandes Gomes de Pina is a Master’s student in Infectious and Tropical Diseases at Jean Piaget University of Cabo Verde and Laboratory Technician in the Genomic Sequencing and Bioinformatics Unit at the National Institute of Public Health, Cape Verde.

Malaria remains a major global health challenge, and understanding it requires interdisciplinary insights. With a background in molecular biology and genomic sequencing, I’m particularly interested in how genetic variability affects disease dynamics. The MESA correspondents program offers a valuable opportunity to contribute to the communication of scientific findings, engage with experts, and enhance my skills in making complex research accessible to a broader audience.

Djiby Sow is a Researcher specializing in parasitology and molecular biology at the International Research Training Center on Genomics and Health Surveillance (CIGASS), Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal. He has actively contributed to malaria research and diagnostics through both laboratory and field-based studies. His work includes coordinating molecular activities for the PARMA/PMI project and contributing to studies on Plasmodium falciparum drug resistance and gene deletion surveillance.

Volunteering as a MESA Correspondent would allow me to leverage my experience in scientific communication, while improving my ability to translate complex findings for a wider audience. I am particularly motivated by the opportunity to broaden access to cutting-edge malaria research and to engage with leading scientists and young researchers across Africa and beyond.

Flavia Kaduni Bawa is a PhD Candidate at the West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, under the NIHR Digital Diagnostics for African Health Systems fellowship. Her work aims to evaluate the potential of a host-response assay to
distinguish between bacteria, viruses, and malaria as causes of childhood febrile illness.

I believe to be a MESA Correspondent will be a great learning experience for me since this year, I decided to act on my passion for science communication by seeking out writing opportunities.

Geoffrey Githinji is a Research Fellow in Malaria Interventions Modelling at the Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis – University of Nairobi, Kenya.

As a MESA correspondent, I look forward to eagerly combining my epidemiological expertise and scientific writing skills to transform up to date research findings into accessible knowledge for broader audiences. I’m looking forward to the scientific communication skills mentorship and networking opportunities while platforming open access knowledge to inform policy decisions and practical implementation.

Rowartz Kevin Ogola is a public health professional with a background in community health, malaria programming, and epidemiology. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) with a focus on Epidemiology at Maseno University. Rowartz has extensive experience in malaria prevention, social behavior change, and strengthening community health systems. 

Through the MESA Correspondents Program, I look forward to documenting and sharing key insights that shape the fight against malaria, ensuring that evidence-based solutions reach communities most in need since I am passionate about bridging research and implementation to drive impactful malaria interventions.

Khady Ndiaye is a PhD student in mathematical epidemiology with a strong background in applied mathematics and computational biology. Her doctoral research is conducted within the WAMCAD project, where she uses mathematical modelling to inform optimal strategies for malaria prevention, focusing on the deployment of mass drug administration (MDA) and malaria vaccines. Her work aims to support evidence-based decision-making for malaria control and elimination in endemic settings. Khady’s research interests include infectious disease modelling, public health interventions, and the application of quantitative methods to address real-world health challenges.

Khady joined the MESA Correspondents Program and served as a Senior Editor for the 2025 AMMnet Annual Meeting, contributing to scientific reporting and sharing key research insights within the malaria modelling community.

Participating in the MESA Correspondents Program was a new and very enriching experience for me. It allowed me to stay up-to-date with the latest scientific developments through the diversity of research presented and emerging topics. I also learned how to summarize research findings efficiently, work effectively in a team, and navigate editorial processes under supervision. This experience has been highly valuable for my career development, strengthening my scientific communication skills and engagement with the research community. 

Mamadou Samb Yade is the Bioinformatics Unit Manager for the Pathogen Culture Unit at the International Research Training Center on Genomics and Health Surveillance (CIGASS), Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal.

Being a MESA Correspondent will greatly enhance my visibility, linguistic abilities, and networking skills. It will also help me develop my report writing and learn from experts about the latest malaria innovations. It’s an honor to assist other people.

Manuela Runge is an infectious disease epidemiologist and modeller with a strong epidemiological background, including large-scale field surveys in Tanzania. She applies mathematical modelling to assess the impact of public health interventions and advise on deployment strategies. Her work at MM Global Health Consulting spans evidence synthesis, vaccines, and neglected tropical diseases. She is a former board member and co-chair of the Best Practices Committee of the Applied Malaria Modelling Network (AMMnet).

Manuela joined the correspondence program in 2018 as a PhD student, where she first developed scientific reporting skills. After a second term as a correspondent, she later became a Senior Editor, supporting early-career researchers. She has since applied these skills to share highlights from public health events through LinkedIn articles and continues to contribute to knowledge sharing

The ASTMH provides an impressive amount of malaria talks every year and I look forward to contributing to the MESA reports from this important conference.

The MESA correspondence program had been a valuable experience for me two times. Both times I could connect with fellow correspondents and the MESA team and learned about the latest malaria research during the conference