Meet the Young Scientists of Target Malaria: Bernard Epanu

What do you do with Target Malaria, and what do you enjoy about your work? 

At Target Malaria Uganda, I work as an insectary assistant, rearing mosquito colonies, managing data, and conducting experiments to detect genetically modified strains using LAMP, PCR, and fluorescence microscopy. I enjoy the hands-on nature of this work and take pride in contributing to public health and disease prevention efforts. 

What motivated you to enter this line of work? 

My background in biotechnology, particularly in Recombinant DNA Technology, has inspired me to address diseases that impact our communities. The innovative approach of Target Malaria to disease control aligns with my expertise and my commitment to making a meaningful contribution to public health. 

Who are you inspired by? 

I’m inspired by the team’s pioneers in biotechnology, especially in genetic modification and molecular assay design. Their dedication demonstrates biotechnology’s potential to address real-world challenges and motivates me to pursue innovative solutions. 

Do you have any advice for other Young Scientists? 

My advice to young scientists is to stay curious and open to learning. “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” Embrace questions, build skills, and seek new opportunities. 

What does a day in the lab/field look like for you? What’s your favorite task to do in the lab or wherever you work? 

A typical day starts with preparing the insectary, monitoring mosquito colonies, and executing routine tasks like rearing checks, sample collection, and occasionally transgenic strain detection. I love PMB strain detection and look forward to molecular work like PCR and ELISA. My day ends with final status checks on all insectary equipment and mosquito colonies.