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18 March 2021 | Story Leonie Bolleurs
Famelab
Abdullahi Jamiu, who is working on his master's degree in Microbiology, was adjudicated as the FameLab winner at the Central Regional Heat and will represent the region at the national semi-finals.

Abdullahi Jamiu, who is working on his master's degree in Microbiology in the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry at the University of the Free State (UFS), was recently announced as the FameLab winner at the Central Regional Heat and will represent the region at the national semi-finals.

Abdullahi, who plans on pursuing a doctoral degree after his master’s, says he wants to establish himself as an academic in microbiology.

Making science simple
He says he decided to participate in the FameLab competition because he is very passionate about communicating science. “Science communication affords me the opportunity to not only take my research outside of the lab space, but also to communicate it to the lay audience. Moreover, science is often perceived by the general public as difficult and unfathomable. As such, science communication programmes promote the simplification and better understanding of scientific knowledge in the community,” he says.

FameLab is coordinated by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement, the British Council, and Jive Media Africa.

According to Abdullahi, the experience was mind-blowing. “It gave me the opportunity to compress my 200-page master's thesis into a three-minute talk in a way I had never thought was possible. Having to present virtually and adjust to the ‘new normal’ was quite challenging,” he adds.

“The overall experience was enlightening and engaging, and at the same time entertaining,” says Abdullahi.

Impressing the judges with his charisma, engagement with the audience, and use of props, Abdullahi’s presentation focused on how the exploration and exploitation of a ‘combination therapy’ approach to drug discovery could help to effectively combat fungal infections, which are the common comorbidities in immune-compromised individuals, including those living with HIV, cancer, and COVID-19.

Revealing an enigma
His fascination with microbiology started at a young age. “How very tiny, microscopic creatures, invisible to the unaided eye, are able to infect and sometimes kill both healthy and immune-compromised individuals, was an enigma to me as a little boy. My desire to unravel this mystery triggered my interest in microbiology, and the more I learn, the more enthusiastic I become to broaden my horizon in this challenging yet exciting field of study,” he says.

Abdullahi would like to one day make a difference by conducting relevant research aimed at contributing to finding lasting solutions to the lingering menace posed by pathogenic microbes. “Moreover, I am very passionate about facilitating the transfer of scientific knowledge to the next generation,” Abdullahi concludes.

News Archive

Wellness programme
2005-03-10

Kovsie Health & Kovsie Social Services invites UFS personnel to participate in a wellness programme on the 11-13 April 2005. The Rector Dr Frederick Fourie supports the wellness programme.

"Be wise Be well"

Programme:

Maandag

11 April 2005
13H30 - 16H30

Stress Workshop
Dr Arien v d Merwe

The Space
Thakaneng Brug

 

Dinsdag

12 April 2005
9H00-12H00

Stres Werkswinkel
Dr Arien v d Merwe

Die Ruimte
Thakaneng Brug

 

Dinsdag

12 April 2005
14H00 - 16H00
 

Work & Life Balance
Absa Healthcare
 

The Space
Thakaneng Brug
 

       
 

Woensdag

13 April 2005
8H30-10h30

Balans in werk & Lewensstyl
Ab sa Gesondheidsorg

Die Ruimte
Thakaneng Brug

 

Woensdag

13 April 2005
11H00-13H00

Workshop on Nutrition
Elmine du Toit

The Space
Thakaneng Brug

 

Woensdag

13 April 2005
8H00 - 16H30

Physical Wellness

UV Biokinetika/ Oefensentrum

"Wellness" Exhibition in the Callie Human Centre on 12 & 13 April 2005

ABSA HEALTHCARE SUPPORTS THE PROGRAMME

Vir verdere navrae kontak Arina Otto - 4013325 of 083 644 9980

Lenie Kotze - 4013258

Riana Johnson - 4013514

 

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