Botswana-born scientist Dr Tuelo Mogashoa, a PhD Fellow in the ‘Addressing Gender and Diversity Regional Gaps in Clinical Research Capacity’ (TAGENDI) programme, has successfully defended her PhD in Molecular Biology (Tuberculosis Genomics) at Stellenbosch University. Her virtual oral examination, held on 12 January 2025, marked the culmination of years of research and training.
Her doctoral thesis, titled “Rifampicin- resistant tuberculosis: an emerging threat to human health in Botswana,” addresses one of the most pressing challenges in TB control.
Dr Mogashoa is the first of seven PhD fellows from the inaugural TAGENDI cohort to complete her doctoral studies. The TAGENDI fellowship, implemented under the Trials of Excellence in Southern Africa (TESA) Network, is part of a dedicated PhD fellowship scheme launched by EDCTP2 in 2020 to support women in health research across sub-Saharan Africa. Coordinated by the EDCTP Networks of Excellence, the initiative received funding from the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (Department of Health and Social Care).
As part of her PhD requirements, Dr Mogashoa was expected to produce four manuscripts, with at least two accepted in peer-reviewed journals. She has exceeded this requirement, publishing three peer-reviewed articles from her doctoral work, with a fourth manuscript currently under review.
Her journey highlights the transformative impact of long-term investment in research training, mentorship, and gender equity. As she moves into the next phase of her career, her work promises to make a meaningful contribution to improving TB diagnosis, treatment, and control.
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EDCTP Career Development Fellow Dr Virginie Rozot, a research officer at the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI), has been awarded a multi‑year contract under Wellcome Leap’s Delta Tissue (∆T) programme. Her research will investigate how the human immune system responds to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the thoracic lymph nodes, and why these responses sometimes fail, allowing the bacteria to spread to other organs. The findings are expected to inform future TB vaccine design and vaccination strategies.
Global Health EDCTP3 is now inviting applications for the EDCTP Prizes 2027, recognising outstanding individuals and research teams from Africa and Europe for their achievements in global health research and innovation.
The 2027 edition will award four prize categories, highlighting excellence in scientific leadership, collaborative team research, and gender-balanced scientific contributions. Prize winners will be announced at the EDCTP Forum 2027 in Madrid, Spain. Submissions are open until 2 September 2026.
Global Health EDCTP3 has opened the calls for abstracts, scientific symposia and workshops for the EDCTP Forum 2027, one of the leading global health research events focused on infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. The deadline for submissions is 2 September 2026 at 17:00 (Brussels time).
Under the theme ‘Innovating together for resilient global health', the 13th edition of the EDCTP Forum, taking place from 5-9 April 2027 in Madrid, Spain, will offer researchers, policymakers, funders and implementers the opportunity to showcase their work at a flagship global health event.
The Forum offers a unique platform to share research findings, build partnerships and help shape discussions on global health priorities. Currently, submissions for abstracts, scientific symposia and workshops are open.