Jerry Geofrey Mang’ena’s Post

Welcome to the next three Biology and Laboratorial Research students from Avans Hogeschool Jens Verhoeve, Julia Affonseca and Yke Stockman. They will work for the next six months on One Health PACT-related projects under the supervision of One Health PACT researchers. Within this part of the curriculum of the bachelor education, project based learning is essential. Who are these students? What would they like to learn? Read the interviews here: https://lnkd.in/eAY7fvgH #onehealth #mosquitoes #Onehealthday #mosquito #klimaatverandering #climatechange #onehealthpact #virologie #covid19 #marionkoopmans #pandamic #outbreak #infections #onehealthpact #utrechtuniversity #LUMC #ErasmusMC #avanshogeschool #biology #laboratorialresearch #usutuvirus #vectorborne Leiden University Medical Center Radboudumc Wageningen University & Research Universiteit Utrecht NWO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek) ZonMw Avans Hogeschool Erasmus MC Nederlands Instituut voor Ecologie (NIOO-KNAW) KNMI - Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut Sanquin Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit (NVWA) Deltares UMC Utrecht OneHealthPACT Marion Koopmans

Assalamualaikum and good day everyone, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the research on invasive microbes from ballast water, conducted by Nurathirah Mat Nasir (who submitted the hard copy of her thesis!) and Dr. Nik Nuraznida Nik Ibrahim. Their work began under the supervision of Dr. Asmat Ahmad (who also supervised me as an undergraduate in 2008) back in 2015. I officially took over as their supervisor following Dr. Asmat's retirement in 2019. Since then, both faced many challenges, from limited funding to the impact of COVID-19, yet they persisted and completed their PhDs. They are truly among the most resilient postgraduates I’ve had the privilege of working with. However, I’ll let them tell their stories. I just want to highlight their research on the threat of invasive microbes in ballast water in Malaysia. Dr. Nik Nuraznida's first paper focused on Shewanella algae, a potentially pathogenic bacterium found in ballast water at Malaysian ports. The study highlighted the bacterium’s ability to thrive in marine environments and its potential to cause diseases in humans and aquatic animals, alongside its antimicrobial resistance profile. Nurathirah most recent publication explores the isolation and characterization of Vibrio species from ballast water in Malaysian ports. She identified Vibrio alginolyticus and V. fluvialis, which pose a threat to local marine ecosystems and human health. The study also emphasized the virulence factors and antibiotic resistance of these species. Looking ahead, Dr. Nik Nuraznida also developed a DNA-based probe to rapidly detect S. algae using a biosensor. This technology was successfully filed for patent in 2023. You can read more about their work by following the links below. I am incredibly proud of them both. Their research was financially supported by the Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) Science Fund (Grant No.: 04-01-02-SF1244). Pemencilan dan Pencirian Spesies Vibrio Berpotensi Patogen daripada Air Balast di Pelabuhan Malaysia Terpilih Nurathirah Mat Nasir, Nik Nuraznida Nik Ibrahim, Fathul Karim Sahrani, Asmat Ahmad & Fareed Sairi Sains Malaysiana 53(8)(2024): 1859-1872 https://lnkd.in/gbMqYSux Characterization of putative pathogenic Shewanella algae isolated from ballast water Ibrahim NNN, Nasir NM, Sahrani FK, Ahmad A, Sairi F (2021) Veterinary World, 14(3):678-688. https://lnkd.in/gEg6Wug9 Thesis to Book: Patogen Bawaan Air Ballast: Strategi pengesanan pantas. 2024. Penerbit UKM

Let me introduce Ms Omotayo Anick J. Bara, a PhD student at the Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) in Gabon who complete a a short term fellowship in our lab. Her research focuses on the transmission flow of Plasmodium falciparum genotypes from infected human hosts to mosquito vectors. As a biologist, she seeks to deepen her knowledge of genomics applications to infectious diseases and develop her skills in bioinformatics. #Genomics #AFRICA #Fellowship #CLIMADE Stellenbosch University CERI - Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation

🌊The Marie Curie Doctoral Network "Pathogens of Algae for Biosecurity and Biocontrol" (PHABB) opens 10 PhD projects. Funded by the European Union and UK Research and Innovation, the project is coordinated by the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle — Teaching/Training in Paris and the University of Aberdeen in the UK. It links university partners and SMEs in Austria, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Scotland, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands. The overarching goal of the programme is to develop new, sustainable solutions for the biocontrol of harmful algae by their pathogens, and for the control of diseases in cultivated macroalgae. To achieve this, PhD students will tackle the biological and evolutionary processes linked to microbial community dynamics, virulence and host specificity of pathogens that target desirable or harmful algae in freshwater and marine environments. This new knowledge will be applied towards developing and implementing novel, durable biosecurity and disease control strategies that support natural ecosystems and allow for a reduced use in chemical pesticides. Depending on the project, the deadline for applying varies between April 22nd and May 15th. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eXYQGAsb  Please note that to be eligible, candidates must not already be in possession of a phd, nor have resided for more than one year in the last three years in the country where they will be hired for their phd (except for compulsory national service and refugees under the Geneva Convention). In return, the consortium foresees a unique training program, highly motivating mobility opportunities in other universities and in the private sector, as well as an attractive remuneration package. #Pathogens #Algae #Seaweed #Biosecurity #Biosafety #GlobalSeaweedCoalition 🌊🌊🌊 Centre national de la recherche scientifique Station Biologique de Roscoff Lloyd's Register Foundation United Nations Global Compact Philippe Potin Vincent Doumeizel Nichola Dyer Mélanie C. Sofya Mishchenko Adrien Vincent Andrea Blanc Azzedine Badis

Self-learning and self-assessment: I have qualified GATE 2024 examination with Ecology and Evolution getting all India rank 90. I am specialized in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and have already qualified CSIR JRF, UGC JRF, ICMR JRF and GATE with Life Sciences earlier. I was pursuing PhD in Transcription Biology and Functional Genomics from JNU where I was working on melanocytes and melanoma cells as models. But due to some personal reasons I had to quit PhD after 2 long years. After a short gap, I started my PhD again and this time I was working on Biosystematics, Evolution and Nanotechnology using arthropods as models out of my personal interest. I am trained in Nanotechnology from AIIMS, New Delhi and in Arthropod Biosystematics from ICAR-IARI, New Delhi during the gap period between my two PhDs. But I wasn't very sure about the basic and advanced concepts of Ecology and Evolution which I learnt mostly through self-study. I attended workshops, participated in seminars, listened talks in conferences, read books and research papers. I constantly try to correlate and analyse my observations in nature with what I learnt in theory. I never hesitate asking questions if I have any doubt. It helped me retain the concepts. But I wasn't sure if I was learning in the right direction. So, I took GATE-2024 examination for the sole purpose of self-assessment post self-learning. Due to my current job I couldn't get time to study anything properly prior to this exam and wasn't able to revise anything but I am glad that I could crack it without any extra effort. Though I am not sure how this GATE scorecard is going to help me in future, it feels great that I was learning Ecology and Evolution in the right direction! #gate2024 #gate #ecology #evolution #zoology #molecularbiology #biotechnology #selfassessment #selflearning #teachingandlearning #scicomm #activitybasedlearning #research #biology #biologyteacher #nature #nanotechnology #entomology #jnu #aiims #icar #professor

Pre-announcement of a CNRS tenure-track position 2024 “RNA Modifications”at the Centre for Integrative Biology (CBI), Toulouse, France   The French National Center for Scientific Research (Centre national de la recherche scientifique) opens tenure-track positions/Junior Professor Chairs (CPJ) in selected host institutes in France to recruit outstanding early-career candidates. The chair package includes an up to 5-year senior researcher contract plus a seed funding approaching 300 k€. A permanent position as a CNRS Research Director is foreseen at the end of the contract. A call for a CNRS tenure-track position on the theme of “RNA modifications” should be launched in March 2024, with the CBI as host institute.     For more detailed information, candidates may consult the CBI and CNRS websites (https://lnkd.in/epQkwMMh ; https://carrieres.cnrs.fr/) and contact us: Anthony Henras, Simon Lebaron, Jérôme Cavaillé or Kerstin Bystricky Toulouse and the Occitanie Region, a rich environment for scientists… Situated between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, close to the Pyrenees’ Mountain, Toulouse has long been a major crossroads in Europe. Attracting 15.000 newcomers every year, Toulouse boasts a particularly rich vibrant cultural and artistic heritage. Capital of Occitanie Region, the leading French region for research and innovation - with over 15.000 academic researchers and 7.500 PhD students, R&D represents 3.5 % of its GDP in 2022 - Toulouse has an international reputation for its cutting-edge aerospace, agronomic, biology-health and economic research centres. Over 110,000 students, pursue their studies in this dynamic student city with the label “Bienvenue en France”.

CORAL DISEASE PHD OPPORTUNITIES: Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Research at The Symbiommunity lab The Symbiommunity lab has multiple funded projects which focus on: 1) disentangling holobiont evolution/adaptation in response to SCTLD outbreaks and; 2) investigating environmental drivers of SCTLD and other disease susceptibility on Caribbean reefs. These positions will involve a combination of extensive bioinformatic analyses of previously collected data (project 1) and experimental work (project 2). Pending future funding, opportunities may exist for field work, but this is not currently guaranteed. Applicants will be expected to work alongside an existing team of researchers including graduate students, postdocs, and PIs at four different institutions. Applicants should be enthusiastic about collaborative and integrative research. See full details here: https://lnkd.in/efXcJHEd #coralreefs #phd #phdopportunity #career #careerdevelopment #sctld #coraldisease #coralhealth #caribbean #marineecology #marinebiology

🎉 Prestigious #USGrant Secured: #Decoding UDE's #AlgaeCollection 🧬 An interdisciplinary team from the University of Duisburg-Essen and Westfälische Hochschule has secured a prestigious grant from the Joint Genome Institute (Berkeley Lab) to decode the genetic material of UDE’s 7,000+ algae strains – one of the largest collections worldwide! 🌿 🔬 The project aims to #uncover new insights into evolution, algae’s role in #ecosystems, and their symbiotic relationships. This research is key for creating #bioproducts and tackling #ClimateChange through #CarbonCycling. Alexander Probst and André Soares are leading the team, other participants include Bank Beszteri, the scientific coordinator of the algae collection; Florian Leese, head of the Genomics Core Facility; Sonja Rückert, an expert on the Alveolata group; #DanielaBeisser, a bioinformatics expert; and Olga Matantseva, the new head of the algae collection – a remarkable start to her tenure at UDE. The project strengthens UDE’s #collaboration with Berkeley, marking a major step toward cutting-edge research and future joint programs! 🤝 https://lnkd.in/eBWz4U63 #AlgaeResearch 🌿 #Genomics 🧬 #ClimateChange 🌍 #Biotechnology #WaterResearch 💧 #CarbonCycle #EnvironmentalScience #Sustainability #UDE #Berkeley #ResearchCollaboration #Innovation #Biodiversity #ScienceForFuture #ZWU

Biology publication alert! Dr. Dennis Kolosov and his research team headed by Serena Farrell (a recent CSUSM graduate currently conducting PhD research at Texas A&M) have demonstrated that the kidney of larval mosquitoes uses voltage-gated ion channels to survive in aquatic habitats of changing salinity. This is important for the coastal habitats of California, where the Yellow Fever mosquito has recently established breeding populations that will surely result in increased incidence of infectious diseases transmitted by this vector. https://lnkd.in/gRrbeQtZ

🎓PhD Postgraduate Research Opportunity - Optimising molecular techniques (eDNA) for monitoring bycatch of endangered sharks and rays in the Northeast Atlantic. 🦈 This PhD project will be part of the Work Package “Next-Generation monitoring of PETS (Protected, Endangered and Threatened Species) bycatch through AI and molecular approaches”. Environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring techniques will be developed for different species/gear/areas in collaboration with other PhD students enrolled on the project at ILVO (Belgium) and DTU-Aqua (Denmark). Focus will be devoted to elasmobranch species, using both eDNA metabarcoding and species-specific dPCR assays that will be developed as part of this PhD. This PhD is funded under the EU Horizon Europe programme, funding awarded to the multipartner MarineBeacon project ➡️https://lnkd.in/gNFGGr97