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6th DS-I Africa Consortium Meeting

  • Ezenwa Onyemata

    Dr Ezenwa Onyemata - Participant

    Role of Data Streams In Informing Infection Dynamics in Africa (Research Associate)

    I am Molecular Biologist by training and hold a PhD in Biotechnology from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), South Africa. My academic foundation is built upon a multidisciplinary background, including a joint master of Science Degree in Structural Biology from the University of Cape Town and UWC, complemented by Honours degrees in Biotechnology and Microbiology. I experienced in molecular biology techniques, encompassing high-fidelity genomic amplification, molecular cloning, heterologous protein expression, and structural characterization. Currently, I lead the Molecular Diagnostics and Omics Research Department at the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE), Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), under the guidance of Prof. Alash'le Abimiku. My research focuses on the molecular epidemiology of HIV, specifically leveraging genomic sequencing to elucidate the mechanisms of antiretroviral therapy (ART) failure and viral subtyping. Beyond HIV, I apply high-throughput sequencing technologies to characterize genetic determinants of transmission for diverse pathogens of public health concern. As a Research Associate for the INFORM Africa project, I facilitate critical technical synergy on SARS-CoV-2 sequencing between the project and the National Reference Laboratory at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and other institutions in Nigeria that were involved in SARS-CoV-2 to meet strategic project-specific deliverables and milestones.