Talent Is Everywhere

Talent Is Everywhere http://blog.seedinglabs.org Seeding Labs' Blog posterous.com Wed, 16 Nov 2011 07:32:02 -0800 We've Got Mail! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/J4pPTgIlFuM/weve-got-mail http://blog.seedinglabs.org/weve-got-mail <p> <p style=""><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/UI4QUCd9ttHypkCk67TbWeoLE7Hj4vZLxUKm01GGEKh7K5OsywwU45rdCmRL/image001.jpg"><img alt="Image001" height="374" src="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/9e8n5dz5PuFJVWcnOjcsuuKjHpL5Nu1O1bVWcmXzC3T6Mn09uIk2kcGo3sb1/image001.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p><p style="">Think back to the last time you received a postcard in the mail.</p><p style="">Not long after Seeding Labs’ debut on NPR’s “All Things Considered” on October 26, we began to receive an outpour of encouraging postcards from individuals across the US. This unique and personal form of appreciation from well-wishers had us anxiously waiting the mail delivery each day.</p><p style="">Each postcard, endorsed with only a first name of the sender and stamped with “Postcard Underground”, adds to the intriguing concept of this supportive group of people. Hearing from this elusive and mysterious group of supporters energizes all of us at Seeding Labs to achieve our mission of helping talented scientists in the developing world to do life-changing research.</p><p style="">An endless amount of thanks and appreciation to our anonymous supporters and believers of Seeding Labs! It is your encouragement and support that makes our worldwide efforts worth all of the hard work. </p><p style="">To read about/listen to Seeding Labs’ story on NPR, click on the following link:<a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/10/26/141666558/used-lab-equipment-finds-a-second-home-overseas">http://www.npr.org/2011/10/26/141666558/used-lab-equipment-finds-a-second-home-overseas</a><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"></span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/weve-got-mail">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/weve-got-mail#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/J4pPTgIlFuM" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1279015/icon_fellow_shadow.png http://posterous.com/users/36UMMbcqV9ol Seeding Labs Seeding Labs Seeding Labs http://blog.seedinglabs.org/weve-got-mail Sat, 27 Aug 2011 10:24:46 -0700 the 10th Seeding Labs Fellow http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/q1ALpFfd0C8/the-10th-seeding-labs-fellow http://blog.seedinglabs.org/the-10th-seeding-labs-fellow <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/VMEEc1tRprIYPw5LXxI5tk2J0leWq5c0n2IVs8ud77tWTIVTTaGjw04G1nRE/DSCN0280.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Dscn0280" height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/jZAIimCAuGUkdEaji0WamvVBUl8UeTFlWiJ0QUgXv7J7nloR4PzXHqbosPec/DSCN0280.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> <p></p><div class="WordSection1"><div><p><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #1F497D;">Congratulations to Dr. Almoustapha Maiga for the addition to his family!</span></p></div></div> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/the-10th-seeding-labs-fellow">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/the-10th-seeding-labs-fellow#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/q1ALpFfd0C8" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1279015/icon_fellow_shadow.png http://posterous.com/users/36UMMbcqV9ol Seeding Labs Seeding Labs Seeding Labs http://blog.seedinglabs.org/the-10th-seeding-labs-fellow Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:04:00 -0700 Untitled http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/ibrjCDnRqHM/seeding-labs-fellow-receives-laptop-from-equi http://blog.seedinglabs.org/seeding-labs-fellow-receives-laptop-from-equi <p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong style="">SEEDING LABS FELLOW RECEIVES LAPTOP FROM EQUIPNET</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em style="">Donated Laptop Given to Rita Dickson, Seeding Labs Fellow,</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em style="">After Being Stolen During Travel</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em style=""> </em><em style=""> </em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">BOSTON, MA (AUGUST 5, 2011) – Rita Dickson had just begun the long journey to spend nine weeks in the U.S. as part of the Seeding Labs Fellows Program when her laptop was stolen while en route from Ghana to Boston, Massachusetts.<span style="">  </span>Having lost access to files containing research data, information, and software, she anxiously awaited arriving in a city known for its leading laboratories and research facilities.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The Seeding Labs Fellows program brings qualified scientists from the developing world to the United States to conduct life-changing research.<span style="">  </span>Equipment and other materials are necessary to carry out effective research, to track data, and to communicate with colleagues.<span style="">  </span>Without access to a laptop, Rita faced a series of challenges such as the inability to download software essential to her research and the difficulty of continuing her work once back in Ghana. She expressed unsettling concerns regarding her stolen laptop, explaining the difficulty to “begin the academic year without access to equipment necessary for teaching and research.”</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Upon receiving news about Rita’s situation, EquipNet, a leading provider of asset management services and solutions, recognized the difficulty of performing research without having the proper materials.<span style="">  </span>In direct response, EquipNet immediately donated a laptop to Rita, which enabled her to continue her research here in Boston.<span style="">  </span>During the Seeding Labs “Science and Development in Africa” Symposium last Thursday, Matt Smith of EquipNet presented the laptop to Fellow researcher, Ibok Oduro, on Rita’s behalf.<span style="">  </span>At the event, he and colleague Dennis Higgins reiterated that they were happy to donate the laptop and react to the request so promptly. <span style=""> </span>Rita expressed immense appreciation, saying she is “extremely grateful to Matt Smith and EquipNet for this kind gesture.”<span style="">  </span>Now Rita may return to Ghana and continue her extensive researching using the equipment provided by a local, philanthropic provider.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="">About EquipNet</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">EquipNet Inc. is the world’s leading provider of proactive asset management services and solutions for large and small corporations in the pharmaceutical, biotech, chemical, and consumer packaged goods industries.<span style="">  </span>Our vision is to “revolutionize the way companies manage their surplus assets” through long-term partnerships.<span style="">  </span>Our success derives from having passionate employees and a creative work environment dedicated to providing solutions and services satisfying to our customers.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="">About Seeding Labs</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Seeding Labs is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting scientific research all over the globe.<span style="">  </span>Our vision is to promote a truly global scientific community by helping scientists in the developing world conduct life-changing research by providing them with the resources they need but don’t have access to, including lab equipment and professional training.<span style="">  </span>Through our programs, scientists and post-docs are able to cross borders and collaborate with key influencers in their fields and acquire new skills needed to be scientific leaders.<span style="">  </span>Since 2003, Seeding Labs has rescued over 75,000 pounds and $1 million in equipment, has provided hands-on scientific education to over 4,000 students in 17 countries, and has witnessed 125 articles, 1 patent, and 1 medical diagnostic being developed by labs in partnership with Seeing Labs.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="">Contact Information</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nina Dudnik</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Founder and Chief Executive Officer</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seeding Labs</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">281 Summer St. 5<sup>th</sup> Fl</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Boston MA, 02210</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="mailto:nina@seedinglabs.org">nina@seedinglabs.org</a></span></p> <p> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/seeding-labs-fellow-receives-laptop-from-equi">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/seeding-labs-fellow-receives-laptop-from-equi#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/ibrjCDnRqHM" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1279015/icon_fellow_shadow.png http://posterous.com/users/36UMMbcqV9ol Seeding Labs Seeding Labs Seeding Labs http://blog.seedinglabs.org/seeding-labs-fellow-receives-laptop-from-equi Fri, 05 Aug 2011 07:13:10 -0700 Bassirou Diarra's view of the Future of Biomedical Research in Africa http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/d9NMaKtCxX8/bassirou-diarras-view-of-the-future-of-biomed http://blog.seedinglabs.org/bassirou-diarras-view-of-the-future-of-biomed <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Bassirou_1" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/NVIMkaDdZYx2sZwkMQRftH4kKpnjWyPIa1lKgoJ7CzqWp7Pwz4GNNT2la8Ik/Bassirou_1.tif.converted.jpg" width="400" /> </div> <p></p><div class="WordSection1"><div><div><div><div><div><p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Tw Cen MT,sans-serif;">The end of an era which ushered in the first independence from its colonial masters also signaled the gradual beginning of biomedical and indeed other research in many resource-limited settings in Africa. Several reasons accounted for research institutions springing up in the Africa region. Of particular interest was the fact that the region is home to a number of tropical diseases, with often an overwhelmed health care system. Although there are varieties of infectious diseases as well as other health-related problems, these problems constitute an excellent source for research and offer competitive advantage for creative solutions. For instance, it was and still is easier to choose a topic to pursue, and with careful planning access to study participants is not difficult. Therefore the environment has been conducive to ‘fish’ for a coherent story about a chosen topic and in so doing broaden one’s knowledge of the causes and modes of transmission of many diseases. It is worthy of mention too that, the opportunity is created to attract collaborators as well as identify groups that share one’s interest or who perform activities that are useful for research in Africa.   Judging first by improvement in quality of life and secondly by the numerous reports that are continually generated from the various investigations in the region, it is fair to say that early and current research in this region has been very successful. What does this mean to the future of research in the region?   Though there are still difficulties, many laboratories, clinical trials sites and advanced equipment for performing cutting edge research, as well as funding from a variety of sources are pouring into the region. With strong commitment, local funding is also made available to help the youth build a career in science. To sustain rather than weaken the enthusiasm there is a need to collectively seek alternative creative approaches to solving some of the rudimentary problems (power cuts, slow internet service, minimal or lack of resources for maintaining equipment) that face research in Africa.</span></p><p /></div></div></div></div></div></div> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/bassirou-diarras-view-of-the-future-of-biomed">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/bassirou-diarras-view-of-the-future-of-biomed#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/d9NMaKtCxX8" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1279015/icon_fellow_shadow.png http://posterous.com/users/36UMMbcqV9ol Seeding Labs Seeding Labs Seeding Labs http://blog.seedinglabs.org/bassirou-diarras-view-of-the-future-of-biomed Fri, 29 Jul 2011 08:51:54 -0700 Dr. Christian Agyare - addressing onchocerciasis and leishmaniasis in Ghana http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/O7OnD9YN1Tc/dr-christian-agyare-addressing-onchocerciasis http://blog.seedinglabs.org/dr-christian-agyare-addressing-onchocerciasis <p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px; color: black;">Dr. Christian Agyare</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px; color: black;">I have always liked science and research since my high school days because of the fascinating and interesting nature of science. And hence becoming a fellow will enhance my scientific skills, experience, knowledge and opportunity to achieve my aims in research and teaching and also assist me to contribute my quota in the search for bioactive compounds from natural products especially medicinal plants since about 70-80% of the people in Africa and other developing countries depend on medicinal plants and/or traditional herbal practitioners for their health needs.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px; font-family: Times New Roman; color: black;"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Christian" height="279" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/keWmFReYkj82N7Rjne2HaMpUQO7Ly5LvR9LHjOVXIJYjmGgu6uve607vPfqX/Christian.png" width="250" /> </div>  </span><span style="line-height: 18px; color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">At the Venture Cafe welcome reception</span></span></p><p /><p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 18px; color: black;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">I want to be a Fellow so that I can participate in laboratory training and non-laboratory based workshops with staff from Seeding Labs, Novartis and other research institutions in the Boston area. This fellowship will also give me the opportunity to take part in the intensive project development and grant-writing work, presentations, data analysis, lab safety and teaching programs in the fellowship. I will also have the opportunity to interact with other scientists from other sister universities and research institutions from both developed and developing countries and attend scientific seminars and science-related workshops. I believe the</span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> knowledge, skills and experience that would be gained in the course of this fellowship would be put at the disposal of or imparted to both graduate and undergraduate students of Pharmacy and Herbal Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana through practical demonstrations, laboratory works, supervision of research work and mentorship.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">I will impart the skills and experience that will be acquired through the fellowship to both graduates and undergraduates through my supervision and mentorship so that these graduates will be more marketable, innovative and research-oriented persons and also contribute to the development of Ghana and Africa in general.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 18px; color: black;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">With the limited facilities/equipment and absence of the state of art laboratories in my university, I can link up and connect to other scientists/researchers for possible collaborations on research areas/topic through this fellowship. This sort of collaboration, partnership and networking of scientists in Africa and those from the developed countries will go a long way to facilitate research and subsequent human and physical development of Africa.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">I do enjoy watching soccer and other sports and I also like visiting interesting places such as museums, historic places etc at my leisure times. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Untitled" height="217" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/4l2DWbEYNjqD1eaPi0ctzVDdUoLRSbKkq5aTnbxdmhpGWGzOwStsnGkDaNBo/Untitled.png" width="346" /> </div>  </span>Dr. Christian Agyare</span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/dr-christian-agyare-addressing-onchocerciasis">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/dr-christian-agyare-addressing-onchocerciasis#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/O7OnD9YN1Tc" height="1" width="1"/> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcGbIoBd9iKb8 juliesalerno juliesalerno juliesalerno http://blog.seedinglabs.org/dr-christian-agyare-addressing-onchocerciasis Wed, 27 Jul 2011 06:52:28 -0700 From lab benches to African garb http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/DeAI7pu_cZk/from-lab-benches-to-african-garb http://blog.seedinglabs.org/from-lab-benches-to-african-garb <p> After 6 weeks of adjusting to Boston life, the Fellows are spending a lot of time in their labs, they have begun collaborating with other scientists, and they finally know their way around the city! On Tuesday, Elicia Estrella - Genetic Counselor at Children's Hospital, Boston - led a grantsmanship session on clinical research. The goal was to address some of the issues as one thinks through a proposal for a grant, and the Fellows were impressed with the presentation and believed it to be extremely helpful. Thursday was an exciting day as it was the Seeding Labs Science and Development in Africa Symposium. The six panelists included Matthew Stremlau (Postdoctoral Fellow, The Broad Institute), Ken Simiyu (Commercialization Fellow, McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health), Brigitta Tadmor (VP, Global Head, Diversity & Inclusion and Health Policy, NIBR), Almoustapha Maiga (2011 Seeding Labs/Novartis Fellow and Assistant Professor of Virology, University of Bamako, Mali), and Ibok Oduro (2011 Seeding Labs/Novartis Fellow and Head, Department of Food Science & Technology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana). The keynote speaker was Alex Dehgan (Science & Technology Advisor and Director, Office of Science & Technology, USAID.<p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Symposium" height="263" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/bi44ym4Ih4SlcSdAORioFNjB8Q652zbUlJOURgCAdC8F6Eo9klXTOxcOiCwX/symposium.png" width="350" /> </div> </p><p>2011 Fellows: Almoustapha Maiga, Bassirou Diarra, and Drissa Samake at the event <p /> After an informative presentation on how science and technology can address global problems and an insightful Q&A session, the guests were able to talk with some of the speakers and the 2011 Seeding Labs Fellows. Many walked away with the desire to volunteer and to help continue the Ambassador program and the Fellows program. It was a very rewarding night!</p><p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="P1020595" height="296" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/7BwQkYlXsBLqIBTn9OOEtiaCYFLI6ky6Uy7VnzkYGaSLpkAW2w87E4gXSqY8/P1020595.png" width="350" /> </div> </p><p>Drissa Samake of Mali and Ray Voegborlo of Ghana talking with a guest <br />at the Science and Development in Africa Symposium <br />On Friday the Fellows split up to visit different labs at Harvard and Tufts. At the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), the Fellows toured the Fortune Lab and the Wirth Lab. Both groups said it was a very helpful experience, and one Fellow said that they "really identified with our goals." Many of the Fellows will stay in touch with the professors and researchers working in the labs at HSPH. Other Fellows went to the Jean Mayer U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. The tour was led by Paul Fuss and the Fellows talked with Sarah Booth, the Associate Director and professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. This was especially helpful for Ibok Oduro, who is researching nutrition, food sciences, and aging back in Ghana. <p /> This upcoming week, the Fellows are looking forward to watching the Cape Cod League All Star game on Friday at Fenway Park. <p /> Keep checking our blog to hear from our 2011 Seeding Labs Fellows!</p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/from-lab-benches-to-african-garb">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/from-lab-benches-to-african-garb#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/DeAI7pu_cZk" height="1" width="1"/> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcGbIoBd9iKb8 juliesalerno juliesalerno juliesalerno http://blog.seedinglabs.org/from-lab-benches-to-african-garb Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:00:31 -0700 Rita Dickson: exceeding expectations to become a university professor http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/XO3ZK9S0Esw/rita-dickson-exceeding-expectations-to-become http://blog.seedinglabs.org/rita-dickson-exceeding-expectations-to-become <p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;">RITA</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">"I realised then that I was ready to address the issue of what I wanted to be in the future.  I wanted to be a medical doctor"</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Growing up as a young girl was always going to be a challenge due to several factors including cultural gender stereo-typing in the choice of career, family responsibilities, even<span>  </span>in the choice of play toys, education and so on. It was not strange then to hear words like ‘Akosua what kind of job do you want to do when you grow up’? -‘A girl sells garden eggs not gun powder’ to wit, don’t bother doing anything deemed to be in a man’s domain since one is unlikely to get anywhere with it.</span></p><div><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Rita" height="205" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/8V96JP7ZmojoXSo41xN41xbnqrwn9zuYifjYsBKS7ApugavQxlboEMytUHCn/Rita.png" width="194" /> </div> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; font-family: Times New Roman;">In education, parents tended to pressurise girls to take subjects that will give them time to assist in family chores at home. I was no exception; being the 10<sup>th</sup> of 11 children and unfortunately for me the youngest of the girls. My responsibilities which were clearly defined by the time I turned 9 were many since my elder sisters were all grownups and most of them settled in jobs and marriages. I was the errand girl of the house; helping mum look after her grand children while my brothers had all the time in the world for their books, games and time to engage in other activities. Besides, I played nanny to my big sister when she was having her children and changed schools as often as she moved homes. Thus distracted, I kept repeating my class any time I was taken to another region to help look after my sisters’ new born babies. Indeed, I hold the family record of having attended primary schools in all the regions of Ghana. End results? I spent more than necessary years in <span> </span>basic school until I finally got rescued by my primary class 4 teacher- Mr Mensah (now deceased), he stopped at nothing to convince my mum to ensure that I had time for my books since to him I could go places given the slightest push. That indeed was the turning point. I realised then that I was ready to address the issue of what I wanted to be in future. I wanted to be a medical doctor –as most kids in a Ghanaian primary school always said, anyway. Thankfully, my mum resolved that I’d had enough of the moving around. A new phase in my life began, I did read anything I could lay hands on, including most of the story books in the British Council library in Kumasi which fortunately was close to our residence and accessible on foot after school and on Saturdays.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; font-family: Times New Roman;">Now to the choice of a career; I hated to see people going through pain especially the sick and I always wanted to do something to help out. I developed special interest in kids, probably stemming from my ‘childhood profession’ of looking after babies and did whatever was possible to soothe their pains especially the sick ones. I witnessed my father, auntie and grandma apply herbal remedies to treat ailments of common occurrence and was really fascinated to see how quickly relief was obtained. Going down memory lane, I think that is when my interest in pharmacy and for that matter medicinal plant research was conceived. I found myself choosing to read pharmacy at the university instead of medicine. Right after the first degree, through the national service period when I served as a Teaching Assistant and also as a Demonstrator for Pharmacy students in my home university (KNUST, Kumasi) and also at King’s College, London, as well for my PhD, my preoccupation has been to collate information on indigenous medicinal plants and scientifically validate their folkloric claims for the treatment of various diseases. For my Masters and PhD degrees, I researched </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; font-family: Times New Roman;">some plants employed in the treatment of wounds and infections among the Ashanti ethnic group in Ghana. There has been no turning back since then. The last few years have seen a continuation of my research into Ghanaian medicinal plants for their <span>antipediculosidal, anthelminthic and anti-inflammatory properties</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; font-family: Times New Roman;">I have sought for and welcomed every opportunity to learn more advanced research and development techniques. For me, becoming a 2011 Seeding Labs Fellow is a fantastic opportunity which would afford me the privilege to upgrade my skills in the use of the state of the art equipment vital to natural product research to make me a better scientist equipped to train younger scientists in the approaches to drug discovery from natural sources.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; font-family: Times New Roman;">The challenges in my institution are similar to those faced by others in Africa; lack of expertise in key research areas, training opportunities, equipments to conduct research is indeed glaringly disturbing. I look forward to this Fellowship program as a platform to assist me in acquiring enough knowledge to hopefully, afford me and my colleagues , the necessary exposure <span> </span>to attract some donations of essential<span>  </span>equipments such as<span>  </span>plate readers, IR, UV, NMR <span> </span>and GC-MS, that would greatly assist our<span>  </span>research and training<span>  </span>in our institution and other sister universities in Ghana. Science and Technology determines the global distribution of wealth and power and poverty reduction. Africa faces enormous problems of shortages of food, health care, essential and affordable medicines, literacy, energy, security, water supply, sanitation, and many other issues pertaining to development. Africa must be seen to be rising up to the challenge of supporting more appropriate researches which would lead to the alleviation of these problems. I would like to witness an all hands on deck approach to science and technology in Africa with significant inputs from women for the advancement of society.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; font-family: Times New Roman;">I am very passionate about post graduate training in natural product research and deeply committed to contributing my quota in bringing research at my institution to the highest possible standards. To this end, I look forward to the day when our laboratories would be sufficiently equipped to , for example, conduct our own analysis on pure isolates without them being lost in the postal systems when mailed to collaborating laboratories overseas for analysis.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; font-family: Times New Roman;">Life outside the lab? My research skills are always neatly transferred from the university Lab to my home Lab, my kitchen! I love to spend time cooking traditional dishes with my girls, Akosua, Abena, Akua and Afia, to share with friends and hang out with my girls and my soul mate –Nana, the dogs-Roxy, Miijo, Biggie and Bailey Knight King I. I always look forward to these moments when we share a hymn, pray and read the Bible together and of course, the pursuit of my other passion; motivating young girls to make a career in science.</span></p><p></p><p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Rita_in_lab" height="124" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/aSYFjXOk99D68m0sMEwwAgCiFAfeUWJUZNGOuXLckkwZs4zdoskHO10CbIE8/Rita_in_lab.png" width="132" /> <img alt="Rita_with_abena_and_biggie" height="124" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/6OUf1T8EuWMXZPjZSuy0wOwlGnQte8CdizBQwZ1f3g949vkXdotZxWvkjAlZ/Rita_with_Abena_and_Biggie.png" width="122" /> <img alt="0rita" height="123" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/Pb78c9dXakXt7MybFSG7uwl1SB6Jgisy8b02hmH1PvIZK57ub7qSA6kBF5ib/0Rita.png" width="146" /> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/rita-dickson-exceeding-expectations-to-become">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/rita-dickson-exceeding-expectations-to-become">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/rita-dickson-exceeding-expectations-to-become#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/XO3ZK9S0Esw" height="1" width="1"/> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcGbIoBd9iKb8 juliesalerno juliesalerno juliesalerno http://blog.seedinglabs.org/rita-dickson-exceeding-expectations-to-become Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:07:23 -0700 Get your tickets for a special event 7/21! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/dpyEXz9dj3A/get-your-tickets-for-a-special-event-721 http://blog.seedinglabs.org/get-your-tickets-for-a-special-event-721 <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/ltmMaQJcL17pLnvZl2IaEKjSGBaZD7Y6xuMtYqek0PPhkPJjB872kZXQSStm/symp_header.jpg"><img alt="Symp_header" height="105" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/NDYyPZ1ZhDB10o1O7rc6H4AsbqLWcre0QQxBjnifgflI7ry82DGiM05ckjuF/symp_header.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> <p></p><div class="WordSection1"><p style="background: white; vertical-align: top;"><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; color: black;">In 2010 Seeding Labs launched the Fellows Program to bring highly-qualified early-career faculty from developing nations to the U.S. for scientific immersion programs. This summer, nine Fellows from Ghana and Mali have made the trip to Boston. Their research includes advances in identifying active compounds hidden inside traditional herbal medicines, finding potential cures for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria; and enhancing nutrition and food safety.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; color: black;"></span></i></p><p style="background: white; vertical-align: top;"><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; color: black;"></span></i></p><p style="background: white; vertical-align: top;"><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; color: black;">We invite you to meet these talented Fellows. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; color: black;"></span></i></p><p style="background: white; vertical-align: top;"><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; color: black;">Learn about the impact and potential of science in Africa. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; color: black;"></span></i></p><p style="background: white; vertical-align: top;"><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; color: black;">And learn how you can become involved in Seeding Labs’ programs to make an even greater global impact.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; color: black;"></span></i></p><p></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #14370F;">Science and Development in Africa Symposium</span></strong></p><p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #14370F;">Date: Thursday July 21, 2011<br />Time: 5:30-7:30 PM, reception following<br />Location: Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research<br />250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA<br />Read more details and <a href="http://africanscience.eventbrite.com/" target="_blank">RSVP</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink">: <a href="http://africanscience.eventbrite.com/" target="_blank">http://africanscience.eventbrite.com</a></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #14370F;">Don't miss our panel of distinguished experts including:</span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #14370F;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #14370F;">Alex Dehgan, Ph.D., J.D. Science & Technology Adviser and Director, Office of Science & Technology, USAID</span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #14370F;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #14370F;">Ken Simiyu, PhD. Commercialization Fellow, McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health</span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #14370F;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #14370F;">Brigitta Tadmor, PhD. VP, Global Head, Diversity & Inclusion and Health Policy, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research</span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #14370F;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #14370F;">Matthew Stremlau, PhD. Postdoctoral Fellow, The Broad Institute</span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #14370F;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #14370F;">Nina Dudnik, PhD. Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Seeding Labs</span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #14370F;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #14370F;">His Excellency Mamadou Traore, Ambassador of Mali</span></p><p></p></div> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/get-your-tickets-for-a-special-event-721">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/get-your-tickets-for-a-special-event-721#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/dpyEXz9dj3A" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1279015/icon_fellow_shadow.png http://posterous.com/users/36UMMbcqV9ol Seeding Labs Seeding Labs Seeding Labs http://blog.seedinglabs.org/get-your-tickets-for-a-special-event-721 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 11:11:54 -0700 Ellis Owusu-Dabo is no ordinary scientist... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/rwub7gzkpzA/ellis-owusu-dabo-is-no-ordinary-scientist http://blog.seedinglabs.org/ellis-owusu-dabo-is-no-ordinary-scientist <p> <p><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Ellis </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Owusu-Dabo</span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">"The goal is to find simple but appropriate uses of technology to fight disease ignorance and poverty"</span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I was born in Kumasi in the heart of Ghana but grew up in the coastal city of Takoradi, with a military dad and a trader mum. Growing up anywhere in Africa is a challenge and Ghana is no different - not many even dreamt of school, let alone becoming a Doctor in the future. However, by divine forecast and prediction I am now a Public Health Physician Specialist in Medical Epidemiology.</span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style=""><span style="font-size: 14px;"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="P1020517" height="384" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/7h6Cbo0oGyHEzpC9DzseWdaiCHofRD3tZtSpJOuhmRolkNwSJ494xSNjxZlT/P1020517.png" width="400" /> </div> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Part of my reason for choosing medicine initially was to help save lives, but choosing public health was even better as many deaths in Africa are from preventable sources. My interest in research grew stronger and stronger as I realised that best practices were fast evading us in the quest to find solutions to our numerous problems. So I decided to move away from just clinical practice to something a bit more challenging: unravelling the basis of disease and helping to deepen our understanding of Africa’s own situation. The goal is to find simple but appropriate uses of technology to fight disease ignorance and poverty. This is what I stand for and what has driven me to participate in the Seeding Labs/Novartis Fellows program.</span><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Since 2006, my main area of research has been non-communicable disease epidemiology, in particular tobacco control, reproductive health issues, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. I also remain interested in communicable disease, in particular tuberculosis (TB). In this connection, I have secured funding to perform work in the African Tobacco Situation Analysis and secured a grant in collaboration with other sites for a study of type 2 diabetes among African immigrants. I have developed, secured funding for, and led research into genetic factors and immunology of pulmonary TB, identifying potential factors that influence TB disease susceptibility.</span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">My ambition is to work in collaboration with multi-nationals and universities across Africa and the rest of the world. My place of employment at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology’s (KNUST) Department of Community Health and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR), has given me a unique vantage point from which to undertake good scientific projects. I have acted as a focal person for some international collaborations in communicable diseases. I also have gained extensive experience in postgraduate and undergraduate teaching and research in Ghana, and have developed a wide network of contacts within Ghanaian education and research institutions.</span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">My ultimate pleasure is to help break the cycle of poverty ignorance and disease that plague our continent, and to ensure that they are eliminated in Africa and other poor countries around the globe. As a Novartis/Seeding Labs Fellow, I hope to gain </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">further training in the use of scientific equipment and critical research for the benefit of KNUST and Ghana. I also wish to strengthen the teaching and learning of science in resource-poor settings. I hope to establish a network of scientific researchers who have the potential to strengthen north-south collaboration in research, especially related to tropical diseases.</span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style=""><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The skills acquired as a Fellow will help me be able to fight poverty, improve the skills of my students and colleagues, enhance personal efficacy and help me achieve my ultimate goal of becoming an international public health consultant of great repute fighting to help Ghana (Africa) in particular to break away from the doldrums of an overburdened continent of simply poor health and economic indicators.</span></span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/ellis-owusu-dabo-is-no-ordinary-scientist">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/ellis-owusu-dabo-is-no-ordinary-scientist#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/rwub7gzkpzA" height="1" width="1"/> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcGbIoBd9iKb8 juliesalerno juliesalerno juliesalerno http://blog.seedinglabs.org/ellis-owusu-dabo-is-no-ordinary-scientist Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:51:18 -0700 Upcoming Event! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/8Ql0RUMYJ-M/upcoming-event http://blog.seedinglabs.org/upcoming-event <p> <table class="ve-edit-wrap ui-droppable ui-draggable" border="0" width="100%"><tr><td><table border="0" width="100%"><tr><td class="MainText" rowspan="1" align="center" valign="bottom" style="text-align: center;" colspan="1"><a href="http://www.seedinglabs.org/" shape="rect"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="65" height="90" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/zYKGAu6h76BVNamy8i2pEUaqHTsHZP4cV0erkijn8lG0gx7GOk5jKOva5aod/65.jpg" width="437" /> </div> </a></td></tr></table></td></tr></table><p /><table border="0" style="" width="100%"><tr><td class="MainPad ve-panel-normal ui-droppable" rowspan="1" width="100%" colspan="1"><p /></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="MainBG MainPad ve-panel-normal ui-droppable" rowspan="1" width="100%" colspan="1"><p /><table class="ve-edit-wrap ui-droppable ui-draggable" border="0" style="" width="100%"><tr><td><table border="0" style="" width="100%"><tr><td rowspan="1" colspan="1"><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><strong>Did you know that goat meat is considered a delicacy in many African countries? Join us for our 2nd Annual Seeding Labs Goat Roast & Potluck! </strong></div><strong><br /></strong>Date: Saturday July 9, 12-4pm<br />Location: Danehy Park: 99 Sherman Street, Cambridge <p /> As you know, nine Fellows from Ghana and Mali have joined us in Boston this summer.<br />These 2011 Fellows will be helping to share highlights of West African culinary favorites. We invite you to meet these talented Fellows to hear their stories and learn how you can become involved in Seeding Labs' programs to make an even greater global impact.<p /> RSVP <a href="http://www.slbbq.eventbrite.com/" shape="rect" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">here</a><p /><p /><div style="text-align: center; font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><strong>Join us to learn, celebrate and change global science</strong></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="78" height="219" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/xyfRwpvVAqjxyHSiqmMpanQMdnNoys6pYy2Kk122U5cMNwhON5OVlNNNYVSq/78.jpg" width="200" /> </div> </div><p /> <br /><div style="font-size: 11pt; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;"><strong>Can't make it but want to get involved?</strong></div><p style="color: rgb(20, 55, 15); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </p>Please visit <a href="http://www.seedinglabs.org/" shape="rect" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">www.seedinglabs.org</a> for more information on our activities and our impact.<br />Contact us by <a href="mailto:nina@seedinglabs.org" shape="rect" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">email</a> or at 617-500-3014 to discuss ways to work with us, sponsor the expansion of these important programs, and transform science everywhere.<p /> I look forward to seeing you at our events,<p />  Nina Dudnik<p />  <p /></td></tr></table></td></tr></table><p /><table class="ve-edit-wrap ui-droppable ui-draggable" border="0" style="" width="100%"><tr><td><table border="0" style="" width="100%"><tr><td class="MainText" rowspan="1" align="center" style="text-align: center;" colspan="1"><div style="text-align: right;"><p /><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </p><div align="center" style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); text-decoration: none;">Stay up-to-date with Seeding Labs every day on our blog.</a></div><p /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/" shape="rect"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Ic_blog_36" height="36" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/kuT7YhnJMBIzKOBCWXltgGCZ1doECUVbTuqefQFgtbh1CCffcZUstRh9fKES/ic_blog_36.png" width="36" /> </div> </a></div><br /><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(20, 55, 15);">Join the conversations:</span></div></div><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seeding-Labs/169290347228?v=wall" shape="rect" style="font-size: 8pt; color: rgb(20, 55, 15); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></a><span style="font-size: 8pt; color: rgb(20, 55, 15); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/seedinglabs" shape="rect" style="font-size: 8pt; color: rgb(20, 55, 15); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></a><span style="font-size: 8pt; color: rgb(20, 55, 15); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/seedinglabs/" shape="rect" style="font-size: 8pt; color: rgb(20, 55, 15); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></a><span style="font-size: 8pt; color: rgb(20, 55, 15); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/seedinglabs" shape="rect" style="font-size: 8pt; color: rgb(20, 55, 15); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></a><p /></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Ic_fbk_36" height="36" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/NGJKab0NKyByHmvy0j4ErjplvcQnprznhdWSat55L9NyuclXA8G7Lf0cZJJJ/ic_fbk_36.png" width="36" /> <img alt="Ic_twit_36" height="36" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/uWNPqQLh8IwR4ewyRNGL1QCzXQijM8iFXDhZUPPTQ8PiOEXcQm1cO4zfetcL/ic_twit_36.png" width="36" /> <img alt="Ic_flickr_36" height="36" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/5GeARLOtehIUBHiQUUXnBg0CiffQMRPwtkWTvuWVdasDr392ZAA9UE0jTDRY/ic_flickr_36.png" width="36" /> <img alt="Ic_tube_36" height="36" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/bC6jXqDHkp34Rt2ZQHhYZnQGHgCDRsOMMg2NcqgtJGlx2RGyABfv3eeWPB26/ic_tube_36.png" width="36" /> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/upcoming-event">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/upcoming-event">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/upcoming-event#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/8Ql0RUMYJ-M" height="1" width="1"/> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcGbIoBd9iKb8 juliesalerno juliesalerno juliesalerno http://blog.seedinglabs.org/upcoming-event Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:37:54 -0700 Meet the one and only Drissa Samake! 2011 Fellow from Mali http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/TyzAExkDWlY/meet-the-one-and-only-drissa-samake-2011-fell http://blog.seedinglabs.org/meet-the-one-and-only-drissa-samake-2011-fell <p> <p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">"I hope that the development of science will solve everyday problems such as disease, malnutrition, lowering mortality and especially the fight against poverty."</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;">Hello,</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;">My name is Drissa Samake. I am a native of Mali, West Africa. I have been fortunate to  earn a master’s degree in engineering sciences at the Ivanovo State University of Chemistry and Technology (ISUCT) in Russia. I have also acheived my Ph. D in Grenoble. I currently work at the University of Bamako in the Faculté des Scienc</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px;">es et Techniques. Here is some insight into my backgrou</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px;">nd and what drives me.</span></p><div><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Drissa13" height="166" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/2rvwTcZmKHw06VZzO0RHqmomlvWDi0GiQb4sYR7xpfYt0ZB1rCGUWURI0EM3/drissa13.jpg" width="221" /> </div> </div><p style=""><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;"><span>•<span style="">                </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;">When you were growing up, what made you interested in your research topic (or science in general)?</span></b></p><p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;">I liked chemistry because I was influenced by my chemistry teacher in college. He enlightened me on the various uses of chemistry that has been supported by novels: “SAS” Gerard de Villiers and Agatha Christi. I read in these novels that chemistry played a major role in investigations. During my master studies in Russia I studied chemistry with much hands on experimentation in laboratories.  In Mali, I did not have enough equipm</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;">ent and therefore my work was limited to water treatment. This was also a theme that I pursued during my doctoral studies in France at the University Joseph Fourier of Grenoble, while relying on chemical instrumentation such as spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, infrared, microscopy e</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;">lectronics, and chromatography.  </span></i></p><p style=""><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;"><span>•<span style="">                </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;">Why do you want to be the fellow from a personal perspective?</span></b><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;"></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;">Working for Novartis is a great opportunity because it is one of the largest pharmaceutical industries in the world is a well-structured framework with highly skilled and highly experienced research teams. This Fellowship will enable me to interact with these eminent researchers and improve my knowledge.</span></i><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;"></span></p><p style=""><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;"><span>•<span style="">                </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;">What are some of the problems your research/University faces now and what do you think being a fellow will bring to your University?</span></b><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;"></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;">The University of Bamako is a relatively new university. The problems we encounter during our research at the University are focused around the lack of equipment, documentation, and especially training. Our research teams do not always have the chance to exchange with other research groups. The knowledge acquired during the course and the relationships that I have will allow me to improve my ability to research and teach. The experiences acquired during this fellowship will be shared with other colleagues in Mali and also students in a word, the capacity building of our University.</span></i></p><p style=""><span style="font-size: 17px;"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Drissa22" height="166" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/kNTEjrEp9RgbgvcLK6wuM7zbmnWWpfv0YoOuh4OGPt36OIruGCrsUdk85uyU/drissa22.jpg" width="221" /> </div> </span></p><p style=""><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;"><span>•<span style="">                </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;">What will you like to see at the future of science in Africa?</span></b></p><p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;">I <i>believe in the development of science in Africa. I hope that the development of science will solve everyday problems such as disease, malnutrition, lowering mortality and especially the fight against poverty. It starts with an individual hoping to improve his country on a personal level.</i></span></p><p style=""><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;"><span>•<span style="">                </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;">What would you like to see for your students?</span></b></p><p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;">I want my students to learn better handling of certain analytical instruments such as chromatographs and methods of sample preparation and analytical method.</span></i><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;"></span></p><p style=""><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;"><span>•<span style="">                </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;">What do you do for fun outside the lab?</span></b><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;"></span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia;">I love spending time with my family. In my country, Mali, family is the most integral unit and all our activities are surrounded on it.</span></i></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/meet-the-one-and-only-drissa-samake-2011-fell">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/meet-the-one-and-only-drissa-samake-2011-fell#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/TyzAExkDWlY" height="1" width="1"/> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcGbIoBd9iKb8 juliesalerno juliesalerno juliesalerno http://blog.seedinglabs.org/meet-the-one-and-only-drissa-samake-2011-fell Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:18:23 -0700 SL Fellows Find Inspiration at Diagnostics For All http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/BaCzFmNPOAc/sl-fellows-find-inspiration-at-diagnostics-fo http://blog.seedinglabs.org/sl-fellows-find-inspiration-at-diagnostics-fo <p> After an eventful third week here in the States, the nine Fellows spent their Friday morning with Adam Cohen (Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and of Physics at Harvard University). The topic of the workshop was focused on undergraduates in the universities. The team shared their various teaching styles and discussed participatory issues that often come up in the classroom. After learning about accessibility to E-books and other useful website resources, the Fellows hope to motivate their students to succeed in the classroom through interactive teaching methods. It was an extremely useful seminar, and the Fellows shared their personal experiences to generate a helpful discussion.<p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="P1020542" height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/LV3MMA1XUUUIWlFf0hAZBS4Cg1xGcdIeTKZcGv3luYLc1AqN30F2Ri6kvFkq/P1020542.jpg" width="500" /> </div> </p><p>In the afternoon the Fellows headed to Diagnostics For All where Dr. Una Ryan (CEO) met the professors and spoke about the organization. DFA is a non-profit organization working to save lives and improve health in the developing world. It creates simple diagnostic devices for resource-poor areas in order to diagnose diseases and monitor the effects of the treatments. The Fellows thoroughly enjoyed meeting Dr. Una Ryan and the other employees. The Fellows were then given a tour of the laboratories at DFA so they could see some of the materials and equipment. The professors also spent some time in the afternoon debriefing about their experiences thus far and shared their hopes to improve their universities back home. <p /> Continue tracking the blog for more updates regarding the Fellows. Be sure to RSVP to our 2nd annual Seeding Labs Goat Roast & Potluck!</p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/sl-fellows-find-inspiration-at-diagnostics-fo">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/sl-fellows-find-inspiration-at-diagnostics-fo#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/BaCzFmNPOAc" height="1" width="1"/> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcGbIoBd9iKb8 juliesalerno juliesalerno juliesalerno http://blog.seedinglabs.org/sl-fellows-find-inspiration-at-diagnostics-fo Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:25:35 -0700 Meet RAY VOEGBORLO - Seeding Labs Fellow http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/7iAAxU_fOvM/meet-ray-voegborlo-seeding-labs-fellow http://blog.seedinglabs.org/meet-ray-voegborlo-seeding-labs-fellow <p> <p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b>"I was told there was somebody sitting in the equipment speaking to our hearing"</b></span></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ever since I was a child, I have always had the curiosity to understand how machines work.<span>  </span>I remember as I was growing up in the village, when it was close to 6 pm my grandfather would ask me to go close to some equipment at a public place to listen to the news. I would always ask how come we could hear somebody speak from the equipment and I was told there was somebody sitting in the equipment speaking to our hearing. Later I would ask why we can listen to music from it and I was told a group of musicians were in there while those I asked would laugh. I would question how a man could enter that small box. As curious as I was, I was not able to understand and would not accept their answer. I suggested I wanted to see when anybody was about to enter the box. They always laughed and it suggested to me what they were telling me was not true. I grew to understand that the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation had installed what was called Rediffusion Boxes (one station radios) at a couple of public places for broadcasting information to the public; but how that was achieved was still a puzzle to me. My interest in machines then got delivered. Anytime I listened to radio, it always fascinated me. As I grew up I was able to understand how this was achieved and got more curious when I visited a studio. I was a very happy young boy when I finally got to understand how radios work. The sight of many kinds of radios with different stations and programs led to a keener interest to understand how any equipment I saw works. I was told that the only way I can understand this is to become an engineer. At school my teacher advised me to learn science.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Upon entering college my interest shifted towards the biochemical sciences. I found myself at the University offering Biochemistry with Chemistry, which I developed later to become Instrumental Analytical Chemist. Before I got my MPhil in Analytical Chemistry, I was engaged in an educational institution where a couple of new analytical instruments were available but not put to use. I challenged myself to have the instruments installed and put to research. After a short training funded personally, I succeeded in setting up an instrumentation lab. I had subsequently developed so much interest in analytical techniques that I could install analytical instruments, operate and troubleshoot them.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I worked in a wide range of areas concerning analytical instrumentation in Medical and Environmental/Food Laboratories especially in Pesticide Research and Toxicology; in Agricultural Establishments on Pesticide Residues and Metal Analyses. Consequently, I gained enormous experience in the installation, calibration and quality control checks, troubleshooting, and maintenance of many laboratory instruments. As a result of my experience in analytical instrumentation and computer techniques, I have acquired considerable skills in electronics. My knowledge in analytical techniques provided me with the opportunity to conduct doctoral research in mercury contamination of fish using gas chromatography and cold vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometry, which produced seven publications in peer reviewed journals.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/luQLucIALLdVEW32B3SQyCuF8Jemj81BBLzREWwRwZyONctVLjKNEniMyM47/Blog_Pix.jpg"><img alt="Blog_pix" height="344" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/KbBh5EjDu0Yj2JOWdvn7Yiv9csSoNl4zQZGwWCz38GHF3lp6iuUKV6F2NE77/Blog_Pix.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </span></p><p /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My exposure so far has convinced me that the fellowship program at Novartis/Seeding Labs will provide the platform for me to gain access to modern analytical skills and state of the art laboratory techniques that will put to fruition my dream of developing an environmental chemistry core facility at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and to promote the availability of safe food to a growing population. There is no doubt that food safety remains a significant concern worldwide and there is the need to expand the food contaminants we monitor. These should include aflatoxins and veterinary drug residues. Methods development and quality assurance in testing for safety in food supplies are important areas that are lacking in our laboratories. I believe the Novartis/Seeding Labs Fellowship will provide capacity building by giving me the opportunity to discover a new learning in a cross-cultural experience. I am aware Novartis and Seeding Labs support and expand scientific research in developing countries, which I expect should lead to collaborations within the developing countries in Africa. These will enhance teaching, learning and research at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Students will leave the university academically well prepared and research oriented. With collaboration between Fellows in other parts of Africa, science in Africa should have a bright future.</span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/meet-ray-voegborlo-seeding-labs-fellow">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/meet-ray-voegborlo-seeding-labs-fellow#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/7iAAxU_fOvM" height="1" width="1"/> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcGbIoBd9iKb8 juliesalerno juliesalerno juliesalerno http://blog.seedinglabs.org/meet-ray-voegborlo-seeding-labs-fellow Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:01:08 -0700 Cocktails and Chemists http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/v-JJTdrfSbU/cocktails-and-chemists http://blog.seedinglabs.org/cocktails-and-chemists <p> On Thursday evening, the Venture Cafe in Cambridge hosted a welcome reception for the nine Fellows from Ghana and Mali. After a long week, the Fellows enjoyed mingling with the guests and sharing stories.<p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="P1020474" height="200" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/qLG6Fhb6IsymqSRGz4tZnV2bylFafTsxsxCVatK0pufs4MwdyKWhSVIH6jSL/P1020474.jpg" width="267" /> <img alt="Img_4286" height="200" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/gaqZBij4V1PQV7qp0b2TNdY4IvmmS7YMmGgv8FpwJOsPX1NXKjUKhRdsWnkY/IMG_4286.jpg" width="300" /> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/cocktails-and-chemists">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p><p>Ibok was able to meet up with her former students, who are now graduate students at Tufts and Boston University.</p><p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="P1020495" height="130" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/6UFbMJ3jN8GUTwPJMV0UfjmQJeCoB6dCfjAo2umt2Vx2X0CIwp6CA8rOhoOH/P1020495.jpg" width="200" /> </div> </p><p>The professors loved socializing with their mentors from Novartis and interacting with new people. On Friday afternoon the Fellows journeyed to MIT to get a tour of the school. They were impressed with the buildings, science equipment, and the technology. Ping-ponging on a table with digital fish and playing with the MIT Mood Meter were definitely new experiences!</p><p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="P1020499" height="145" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/R3EieFYTvMTZ2RWKopTskyyS9PpnDCmeFSukbyGgCBLH8w0VwHnVpPJnXGje/P1020499.jpg" width="200" /> </div> </p><p>Thanks to everyone who has made this trip possible for the Fellows! Keep checking the blog for more updates of their time here.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/cocktails-and-chemists">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/cocktails-and-chemists#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/v-JJTdrfSbU" height="1" width="1"/> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcGbIoBd9iKb8 juliesalerno juliesalerno juliesalerno http://blog.seedinglabs.org/cocktails-and-chemists Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:26:53 -0700 The 2011 Fellows Arrive! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/trAHn1nuH90/the-2011-fellows-arrive http://blog.seedinglabs.org/the-2011-fellows-arrive <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/73y5y15e0sAK4gdBywhHXWFJ3donGLzpWtPFD0YfEFxgQKq6yFo8uESmwDBF/2011-6-12_1.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="2011-6-12_1" height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/v2FoFpJa1kn9xkSfmGQ2DO6CYKkAUJPFAWl65AaMMGemCtWXBgzD17GoNw7t/2011-6-12_1.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> <p /><div>After 24 hours of travel, the nine Fellows finally arrived in Boston! After meeting Nina and David, they moved into the dorms at Simmons College and began to settle into their new lifestyle.  They are very happy - and tired - to be here.  </div><p /><div>Come meet the Fellows and wish them Akwaba (Welcome in Ashanti) to Boston on Thursday, June 16 at the Venture Cafe in Cambridge. </div><p /><div>Details: </div><div>Thursday, June 16, <b>5 - 8 PM</b> </div><div>Venture Cafe.  One Broadway, 4th Floor, Cambridge.</div><p /><div>Hope to see you there!</div> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/the-2011-fellows-arrive">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/the-2011-fellows-arrive#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/trAHn1nuH90" height="1" width="1"/> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcGbIoBd9iKb8 juliesalerno juliesalerno juliesalerno http://blog.seedinglabs.org/the-2011-fellows-arrive Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:03:00 -0700 IBOK ODURO- 2011 SEEDING LABS FELLOW http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/0uCuI0FpDLs/ibok-oduro-2011-seeding-labs-fellow http://blog.seedinglabs.org/ibok-oduro-2011-seeding-labs-fellow <p> <div> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Ibok" height="272" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-07/qrfezHbChyiEjAiGmdEkapkpGaoEltGnJvGhEqioutixnzEhEftjmydsJber/Ibok.png.scaled500.png" width="288" /> </div> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><strong>"You could say that I just loved mixing things up"</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">When I was growing up as a child all I wanted to do was cook. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">If I wasn't in the kitchen trying to make a mess, you would find me with my siblings and friends pretending to cook with empty cans. You could say that I just loved mixing things up. I believe this interest had a profound influence on what I studied in school. I started with home economics (no surprise there), but my true calling was to come later. I was always fascinated by the simplest laboratory experiments and before I knew it, I had taken an interest in chemistry. I was still mixing things up as a chemistry student, only in a different kind of kitchen. I obtained my first degree in chemistry at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and later obtained an MSc. in Inorganic Chemistry at the same university. I continued on to Silsoe College, Cranfield University, United Kingdom for a PhD in Postharvest Technology. Now as a lecturer and head of the Department for Food Science and Technology at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, it seems I found the ideal way to combine my two passions - food and science.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">My research interest basically involves screening, identifying and enhancing useful compounds present in natural products. We use these compounds for the development of innovative food products. Another direction is encouraging the use and development of underutilized food crops by investigating and characterizing their nutraceutical and physiochemical properties. There is no reason why food cannot be both nutritious and therapeutically useful. Moreover, growing these underutilized foods provides income to some of the poorest people in West Africa.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I have to admit that being a Novartis/Seeding Labs Fellow has its perks.<span style="">  </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><strong><span style=""> </span></strong>The opportunity to contribute more to the development of my students in my university was undoubtedly my major motivation for wanting to be a Fellow. I also saw an opportunity to advance my career in academia. The thought of meeting and sharing ideas with other scientists was also a very exciting motivator. I believe that the best way to develop ourselves as scientists is to brainstorm and collaborate with each other. What better way to share ideas than in an environment where rich scientific interactions are not only possible, but enabled and encouraged.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I believe that Africa has the potential to meet the needs of its entire people through the development of science.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Over the past few years, I have personally witnessed a steady development of science in Africa. Unfortunately, the pace of progress is slow and there is still a lot of room for improvement. One of the major problems with the development of science in Africa is the inability to effectively share information. Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to this development and this can be achieved by building a network of trust across the various disciplines and institutions. If professionals from different fields would come together and share information, we would make more progress in terms of productive research.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">A major problem that my university and many others in Africa face is the lack of equipment and technical expertise. The fellowship program will be an opportunity for me to familiarize myself with some of the cutting edge technologies used at the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research. I hope to bring the knowledge acquired to the various stakeholders with the ultimate aim of improving our laboratories and making good use of the resources available to us.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“Tell me and I'll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I'll understand”. </span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">One of my favorite quotations is a Chinese proverb that says, “Tell me and I'll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I'll understand”. This has been one of the underlying principles of my life as a lecturer. I believe that a more participatory approach to teaching and learning will be more effective at training successful and more innovative young scientists. I make it a point to get my students more involved in class activity and I tailor my classes to be more 'hands on'. It is my desire that all my students will have a fulfilling learning experience, be abreast with the latest trends in science, develop themselves personally as critical and innovative thinkers and contribute positively to the development of the country.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">When asked what I do for fun I often pause because every bit of my life is fun. </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I love my work, my students, friends and family. I used to take an active part in sports as a young woman but I’m not so sharp anymore and I haven't had much time for sport. I do have early morning walks from time to time just to keep the body fit. It’s worth mentioning that I also love to sing and dance, though I’m not sure a career in that department would have been successful. Any time I hear a good song that I know, the pop star in me awakens. As a child, I remember getting into trouble a few times for getting carried away while singing in class. In my spare time, I seldom pass up the opportunity to cook. It is always satisfying to have my students, friends and family over on holidays and weekends just to show off some of the old recipes. I am often invited to give talks and lectures at leadership and motivational programs and it is also one of the activities that I enjoy doing very much. I believe it’s just another way that I can give back to society. A lot of young people look up to me for guidance and I make it a point to answer whenever they call.</span></p> <p class="MsoCaption" style="margin-left: 35.45pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><strong><br /></strong></span></p> <p> </p> </div> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="0ibok_oduro" height="205" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/CA4Gk97cbKppgKfMGNGuMUilzXdv4w7p2AwzpDXEBuUrRf9ah5Bx7hXInvPa/0IBOK_ODURO.jpg" width="291" /> </div> </span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/ibok-oduro-2011-seeding-labs-fellow">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/ibok-oduro-2011-seeding-labs-fellow#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/0uCuI0FpDLs" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1165866/Steve_profile_pic_sm.png http://posterous.com/users/heOPIl1Goln5w setchells setchells setchells http://blog.seedinglabs.org/ibok-oduro-2011-seeding-labs-fellow Wed, 25 May 2011 13:14:00 -0700 The top 9 scientists you need to meet this summer! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/CGpmIGWFKBA/the-top-10-scientists-you-need-to-meet-this-s http://blog.seedinglabs.org/the-top-10-scientists-you-need-to-meet-this-s <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/YxOQ60klfEA0fCugjOlpEiYHof73czLi6Gl8IExFPzvMe4phEqIk67XYzgcm/Seeding_Labs.jpeg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Seeding_labs" height="333" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/gBF3cV2jtfMrbVbybYWAOUSXJ9nmYlAoa7DB3ivdNH4F8vD8iOFzJmPdUUmT/Seeding_Labs.jpeg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p> </p> <div> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The next few weeks are an exciting time for Seeding Labs. Along with our partner the Novartis Institutes for BioMedicalResearch, we are gearing up for the arrival of our 2011 Fellows.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">They are a lively and enthusiastic group of nine faculty-level scientists hailing from two West African countries – Ghana and Mali. Their interests range from infectious disease to biodiversity to foodsafety.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Their reasons for loving science are just as diverse, and you might see yourself in some of their stories: Ray Voegborlo has always had a burning desire to tinker with machines and know how they work.Ibok Oduro translated her love of cooking into a love of science. Rita Dickson was determined to exceed her family’s expectations by becoming a university professor. Drissa Samake was encouraged to pursue chemistry by an inspiringteacher. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">All the Fellows hope the skills they learn and people they meet will yield positive returns for their university, their students, and for the advancement of science in Africa.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">First launched in 2010, the Novartis/Seeding Labs Fellows program aims to create lasting impact for scientists in the developing world. This year’s schedule includes nine weeks of mentored research in Novartis labs to expose them to up-to-date equipment and techniques. Away from the bench, Seeding Labs is coordinating workshops addressing grant writing,mentoring, and presentation skills. Of course, a number of social events are planned to let the Fellows unwind, see Boston, and meet the local scientific community!</span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Four Fellows from Kenya who participated in the program last year, an experience that taught everyone involved valuable lessons, and resulted in lasting collaborations and friendships. One 2010 Fellow, for example, is continuing to work with his Novartis mentor and a postdoc at Harvard University to introduce the first-ever nanochemistry course in Kenya. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">As the countdown to their arrival continues, watch this space for blogs written by the 2011 Fellows themselves. They will introduce you to their backgrounds, research, and aspirations for the future.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">And don’t forget to sign up for the Seeding Labs mailing list to learn about opportunities for you to attend our events, meet the Fellows, and get involved in partnering science in Boston and West Africa this summer!</span></span></p> </div> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/the-top-10-scientists-you-need-to-meet-this-s">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/the-top-10-scientists-you-need-to-meet-this-s#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/CGpmIGWFKBA" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1165866/Steve_profile_pic_sm.png http://posterous.com/users/heOPIl1Goln5w setchells setchells setchells http://blog.seedinglabs.org/the-top-10-scientists-you-need-to-meet-this-s Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:38:50 -0800 Design for everybody http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/7mivUyoRkz4/design-for-everybody http://blog.seedinglabs.org/design-for-everybody <p> <p style="text-indent: .5in;">While I was catching up on some reading today, I was struck by an overview of some of the past grantees of the Gates Foundation (<a href="http://nyti.ms/fmm188">http://nyti.ms/fmm188</a>). The foundation funded several teams to develop vaccines that would not need refrigeration or needles. </p><p style="text-indent: .5in;">The development case for these products is simple: there are still many parts of the world where it’s impossible to ensure continuous refrigeration at the right temperature for a vaccine; and systems for safe disposal of biohazard-contaminated needles are even rarer. I found myself wondering, however, if there isn’t also a market for these vaccines in the developed world. </p><p style="text-indent: .5in;">Products for the developing world are designed with strict constraints of cost and ease of use by potentially untrained personnel. Products designed for developed markets don’t start with these constraints in mind. We can afford bells and whistles, we constantly choose where to spend our disposable income, and often we equate cost with value.</p><p style="text-indent: .5in;">But maybe we don’t need to. True, we’ve already invested in a seamless cold chain and in needle disposal, but these things do need to be maintained, are not cheap, and in the case of sharps disposal, can be laborious and dangerous. Most of all, we hear news stories every day of the rising cost of healthcare. Wouldn’t U.S. consumers also benefit from lower costs both of the product and of the reduced need for expensive maintenance and disposal systems?  Maybe it’s time to stop thinking of low-cost easy-to-use products as “design for the rest” and admit that such prioritizing this kind of design benefits us all.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/design-for-everybody">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/design-for-everybody#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/7mivUyoRkz4" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1279015/icon_fellow_shadow.png http://posterous.com/users/36UMMbcqV9ol Seeding Labs Seeding Labs Seeding Labs http://blog.seedinglabs.org/design-for-everybody Tue, 14 Dec 2010 09:56:00 -0800 Looking Back – 5 Weeks Later http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/Rity-Z_2ZWA/looking-back-5-weeks-later http://blog.seedinglabs.org/looking-back-5-weeks-later <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/yKexsN7DpJwcI1pOjBdQRjpPm0svbKJQspuEUYPwrqeH3MoZNgAC5HFpSr43/IMG_3337.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_3337" height="281" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/seedinglabs/OfT95dyKUh1Tp8EYDiLQVFEjvHMPh2Ha6MgjDB2AuMDc20zFrrDk2dAGpJOH/IMG_3337.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p>The three of us have been back now for several weeks, easing into the usual routine of lab research. Even just a few weeks later, sometimes it’s hard to believe we were so recently working with the students and faculty on the other side of the world at Kenyatta University, especially as winter closes in on Boston and I try to hold on to the memory of the perfect weather in Nairobi. I think all three of us visitors were pretty amused at how our hosts kept apologizing for the “cold” (75-85F) weather while we were there, and how appalled they were at our descriptions of Boston winter…</p> <p>But now we’re back, and we’ve had some time to reflect on the visit and think about how to answer the first question that everyone asked us on our return – how did it go? We came to KU with several goals, to follow up on the recent Seeding Labs shipment of equipment, but also to promote a globalized scientific culture through a seminar series, office hours and talking to as many people as possible. But did we succeed? As with most non-profit endeavors, we are forced to look at different and sometimes non-traditional measures of success. For me, it's come from an unexpected place: the building of on-going relationships with the students at KU.</p> <p>Before we left for Kenya, I had been thinking in terms of tangible, quantitative accomplishments – I hoped that we would return home from KU having directly contributed to the ongoing set-up and distribution of the Seeding Labs shipment, among other things. And although our progress on the equipment set-up was not as swift as we might have hoped, due to infrastructure and logistical difficulties, I believe we did succeed in some very important areas, including opening a dialogue on research at KU between students and faculty during our final wrap-up discussion.</p> <p>I think the three of us were not sure quite what to expect as we went in for that final meeting – we hoped that researchers at all levels of KU would contribute to a conversation on the future of science at KU, but what would we do if an argument broke out, or worse, if nobody spoke at all? Our nerves were unfounded, as after a slow start some brave students spoke up to offer their thoughts and suggestions on promoting science at KU, followed by faculty, the Director of Research and the Dean of Pure and Applied Sciences. And the take-home message was that resources are scarce, but they do exist, and with some extra effort on communication between scientists at KU everyone can benefit from a more collaborative environment to take advantages of the resources that are available, including the Seeding Labs equipment. Looking back, this discussion and the sense of community and optimism that came out of it stands as one of my favorite memories of our time at KU.</p> <p>And now, five weeks later: I didn’t expect a new set of friends on facebook to be commenting on the photos and science news articles I post to my page, or to be still corresponding by email with students at KU, but I’m so happy that it’s turned out that way. Just yesterday one of the students who came by my office hours to talk about career planning for scientists wrote me with an update on his applications for short-term research projects during his school breaks. And another recently posted on the Seeding Labs facebook page: “We are truly grateful for the great work of boosting scientific research capacity by both equipment and resourceful seminars. It’s amazing what two weeks of well-prepared multi-disciplinary presentations and open discussions can do to an amateur scientist!” I’m so happy to hear that we are still in their thoughts, as they are in ours.</p> <p>It’s amazing to me that we were given this opportunity, and we’re especially grateful for the generous sponsorship of Harvard and Seeding Labs that allowed for the organization and funding of the Ambassador Program. All three of us look forward to a continuing collaboration and friendship with the students and faculty at KU. Happy holidays!</p> <p>-- Amanda</p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/looking-back-5-weeks-later">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/looking-back-5-weeks-later#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/Rity-Z_2ZWA" height="1" width="1"/> http://blog.seedinglabs.org/looking-back-5-weeks-later Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:00:52 -0700 A window to Rwanda http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~3/DPcYtpbrTjw/a-window-to-rwanda http://blog.seedinglabs.org/a-window-to-rwanda <p> The last few days have been an unbelievable cultural experience, and not just because it's Culture Week at Kenyatta University. Truthfully, we couldn't have picked a better week to come. Not only is it like we're touring all of Africa without leaving the campus, but I'm also getting the chance to meet some truly inspiring people. Two nights ago, I was sitting alone on the balcony updating the last blog post when a whole group squeezed past me to a table, and each one said "hello" on the way by. After a while, a very soft spoken, shy young man came over to talk and ask who I was. He was quietly enthusiastic and a little bit intense. He told me that his performance group is here from Rwanda to be part of culture week. Then his whole group convinced me to join them and proceeded to burst out into song and folk dance. It was indescribably beautiful. They said this is a sort of oral tradition that is a "pastoral poetry". Many of the songs and dances are performed by rural farming cultures to recognize their appreciation for the land and the cattle. The vocalizations are deep in the throat and nasal passages with a lot of harmony, and the body postures of the men evoke the horns and mannerisms of the cattle while the angular arms of the women and flowing movements are like stately trees and running rivers. It was beautiful and special because it was spontaneous and genuine. One of those unique cultural experiences you couldn't pay any amount of money to experience in a theater.<p />Last night, I joined them again for dinner and a couple of drinks, and we started talking about *everything* - academics, politics, family, culture, etc etc. After a while of discussing when I felt comfortable, I asked the question that had been racing through my mind from the moment I heard "Rwanda". Not "what happened?" We saw the news and heard the stories, and I'm sure that was only a fraction of reality - but that is precisely why I could never ask. It's only a fraction and yet a horrible story. Instead I asked "What's it like now?" I feel like I saw a lot of Cambodia, a country that also came through a massive genocide, and what I've seen was dark and deeply saddening. Depression, alcoholism, low economic growth, prostitution. It's a country suffering PTSD and not realizing it. So I wanted to know how Rwanda is progressing by comparison since our news doesn't cover what's happening there now. What I heard was inspiring - they credit the president that rose from that time for saving the country and in fact each of their own lives. Things are stable, lives are moving on, and while nothing is perfect (by their own admission), it's still like they have created "heaven" when before everything (even before 1994) was hell. Since the Belgian colonists left in 1963, there was one university in Rwanda until after 1994. Since 1994 there are now 14 universities. The One Laptop project has been incredibly active, and many of the Rwandan children are at least minimally computer literate. They're proud of their progress but see that there is a lot of work left to do. In fact, they feel like their country has come so far but fear that it won't continue to move further.<p />I'm actually really sad that I won't see them again after tonight. We are leaving for Mombasa in the morning, and they are returning home the same day we get back. Each of them has warmly invited me to visit them in Rwanda any time, and I think I will really have to consider it. From what I've seen of their hearts, enthusiasm, intelligence, and kindness, it seems like a beautiful country to visit. <p />-KIM </p> <p><a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/a-window-to-rwanda">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.seedinglabs.org/a-window-to-rwanda#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalentIsEverywhere/~4/DPcYtpbrTjw" height="1" width="1"/> http://blog.seedinglabs.org/a-window-to-rwanda