Poster Presenters/ Young Scientists Celebrated at ISCTRC 2025

@auibar2025

The 37th General Conference of the International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC) concluded with a strong focus on the future of science in Africa. Closing speeches underscored unity, innovation, and youth leadership as central to eliminating trypanosomiasis under the conference theme: “Harnessing One Health Technologies and Innovations Towards Eliminating Trypanosomiasis in Africa.”

In her closing address, Dr Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR, praised the quality of scientific contributions, particularly those led by emerging researchers:

“The quality of research and poster presentations, especially from young scientists, is truly encouraging. But their talent must be nurtured. We call on Member States and partners to invest in building the next generation of experts who will carry forward this fight.”

Her remarks echoed the spirit of the conference — that innovation and youth engagement are essential to ensuring Africa’s progress toward eliminating trypanosomiasis.

To celebrate scientific excellence and inspire early-career researchers, ISCTRC 2025 awarded certificates to the five best posters presented during the week. Winners were selected through delegate voting, ensuring recognition by peers across disciplines.

 

Awardees

@2025 posters @winners
  • 1st Place – Roukwe Bamo (Cameroon): Analysis of Passive Screening Data for Human African Trypanosomiasis: Sentinel Site Performance from 2022–2024.
  • 1st Place – Dr Percoma Lassane (Burkina Faso): Mapping the Progressive Control Pathway for African Animal Trypanosomosis.
  • 3rd Place – Abdou Samath Thiall (Senegal): Tsetse-Free Areas, but Presence of Animal Trypanosomiasis: A Reality in Senegal.
  • 4th Place – Traore Barkissa Melika (Côte d’Ivoire): Mapping the Distribution of Trypanosomes Identified in Domestic Animals.
  • 5th Place – Moise Kagabadouno (Guinea): Mathematical Modelling of Historical Interventions Against g-HAT.

Dr Geoffrey Muttai, Chairman of KENTTEC, presented the certificates during the closing ceremony, celebrating excellence and encouraging young scientists to continue leading in research and innovation.

Poster sessions at the 37th ISCTRC Conference provided a vibrant platform for peer learning and dialogue. A total of 39 posters, covering six thematic areas, were presented: Human African Trypanosomiasis, Animal African Trypanosomiasis, Glossina biology and control, PATTEC and country reports, socio-economics, and non-tsetse-transmitted trypanosomiasis.

Delegates engaged with presenters during plenary and health breaks, allowing for rich exchanges on methodologies, findings, and innovations. These studies highlighted progress in diagnostics, vector ecology, disease surveillance, and socio-economic impacts — all of which resonated with the conference theme of harnessing One Health and technology for elimination.

In his official closing remarks, Dr Geoffrey Muttai urged delegates to ensure that scientific breakthroughs translate into action:

“Let these resolutions not remain on paper. Translate them into action for the millions whose lives and livelihoods depend on a trypanosomiasis-free Africa.”

The celebration of young scientists through poster awards, coupled with AU-IBAR’s call for greater investment in capacity building, reaffirmed that Africa’s future in eliminating trypanosomiasis lies in the hands of its next generation of researchers.