Correspondents Program

Open call
Apply to be a MESA Correspondent to report from the “Malária nos PALOP” 2025 Conference

Deadline: 06/04/2025

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The MESA Correspondents Program expands access to emerging results presented and discussed in malaria-related conferences by facilitating the participation of early career professionals to report from the event in real time. These reports are written by the early career professionals, with editorial support from the Correspondents Program’s senior editors, and shared online as summaries of new learnings, increasing reach to those who could not attend.

Reporting from malaria events and conferences

Can’t see an open call? Apply to be on our Correspondents roster for when opportunities arise!

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for your conference?

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In their own words

Serigne Ousmane Diaw

Serigne Ousmane Diaw is a Senior research technician in pathophysiology and infectious diseases at the Pasteur Institute of Dakar, Senegal.

Being part of the MESA network represents an exciting opportunity to contribute to the popularization and advancement of malaria research and initiatives across the African continent. I am deeply committed to science communication and knowledge sharing, and I look forward to reporting on key findings, events, and activities that support the fight against malaria. I am excited to get started and to actively contribute to MESA’s mission.

Djiby Sow

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.

Awa Mariama Sene

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.

Mamadou Samb Yade

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.

Djelissa Sofia Fernandes Gomes de Pina

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.

Timóteo Arnaldo Sambo

Timóteo Arnaldo Sambo is pursuing a PhD in Applied Mathematics and Computational Science at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (Tanzania), under the MaModAfrica scholarship. His research focuses on generating model-based evidence to guide the deployment of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention in Mozambique.

Being a MESA Correspondent at the “Malária nos PALOP” Conference is a valuable opportunity to strengthen my scientific communication skills and engage with leading experts in the field of malaria modelling.

Wilson Tavares

Wilson Tavares is a final-year PhD candidate at the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT), in collaboration with the Institute for Genome Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) in the United States. His research focuses on Plasmodium falciparum, the primary causative agent of human malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Using next-generation sequencing technologies and bioinformatics, he aims to generate whole-genome sequences to characterize parasite genetic diversity, population structure, and migration patterns in Angola and neighboring countries, which could possibly support interventions by the Angolan National Malaria Control Program.”

Becoming a MESA correspondent at the Malaria in the Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) is an important step for me, as it aligns with my commitment to research and science communication in the region. With a background in genomics and epidemiology, I can translate complex findings into accessible content. This role will help amplify key insights from the conference and promote regional efforts in the fight against malaria.

Kevin Rowartz Ogola

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.

Geoffrey Githinji

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.

Flavia Kaduni Bawa

Flavia Bawa is a biomedical researcher with a background in Microbiology and Public Health. She is pursuing a PhD at WACCBIP, focusing on diagnostics for febrile illnesses and antimicrobial resistance in children, with research aimed at bridging diagnostic inequalities by developing tools accessible even in rural areas.

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.

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