Meet Target Malaria’s Young Scientists

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

I am currently a PhD candidate with Target Malaria Ghana at the University of Ghana, African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS). My work involves studying temperature and humidity modulations and its effect on adult male Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes for mass rearing. I love the satisfaction I feel knowing that with each successful objective achieved, Target Malaria are closer to developing a new tool that will contribute to the quest for malaria elimination.

What motivated you to enter this line of work?

I grew more passionate about malaria research when I was pursuing my post graduate degree. I worked on the susceptibility and fitness of Anopheles gambiae M/S Hybrid mosquitoes to Plasmodium falciparum. It was tedious because it required spending long hours in the lab culturing malaria parasites and maintaining 2 separate species of mosquito colonies as well. In the long run, it was fulfilling finding interesting results for such a novel study. I learnt so much within that period and I realised there are many other avenues of malaria research.

Who are you inspired by?

As a woman, I take a lot of inspiration from other women in science who are able to successfully combine their personal and family lives with their careers and make great strides in the latter. Some of whom include Mrs Ruth C. Brenya (KNUST), Dr Jewelna Akorli (NMIMR) and Dr Helena Dela (NMIMR). I also greatly admire Dr Joseph William Diclaro (NAMRU-3) and Dr. Fred Aboagye-Antwi (Target Malaria Ghana) for their innovative ideas and writing prowess.

Do you have any advice to other Young Scientists?

We’re too close to give up. Let’s keep pushing strong to make the dream of a malaria free world a reality!

Jacqueline Aidoo is a PhD candidate with Target Malaria Ghana. She lives in Accra, Ghana and is currently pursuing her doctorate at the African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science. She is part of the project on rearing at the University of Ghana that aspires to establish standard protocols and facilities to enable mass production of mosquitoes in millions for academic and research purposes. She loves to spend time with her family, going on adventures and trying out new things.