TAKeOFF Scientists and Students Participated in the Second DAAD Global Centres Conference in Berlin

TAKeOFF scientists and students participated in the Second DAAD Global Centres Conference in Berlin, held from 10th to 12th September 2024. The conference featured the Global Centres for Health and Pandemic Prevention (G-WAC, PACE-UP, CAIDERA, GLACIER) and Climate and Environment (SAGE-Centre, TRAJECTS, AFAS, ABCD-Centre), with participation as part of G-WAC.

The conference of the Global Centres for Health and Pandemic Prevention was held under the theme "Global Actions for Sustainable Health for People and Planet" at the Tagungswerk Conference Centre in Berlin. TAKeOFF scientist, Dr. (Mrs.) Linda Batsa Debrah, Principal Investigator for TAKeOFF-Ghana, participated in roundtable panel discussions focusing on "Perspectives on Pathogen Spillover & Pandemic Preparedness." She shared her insights on the use of digital health tools during the COVID-19 pandemic and their potential for future epidemics or pandemics.

Two students from the TAKeOFF Consortium, John Boateng and Brice Armel Nembot Fogang, both G-WAC fellows, had the opportunity to present their ongoing PhD research. John Boateng's presentation focused on "Filarial Lymphedema Microbiome Profiling: Implications on the Immune System and Antimicrobial Therapy in Acute Adenolymphangitis Attacks," while Brice Armel Nembot Fogang presented on "Impact of Helminth Co-infections on the Clinical Spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Africa: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis."

Other scientists and students in attendance included Prof. Alexander Yaw Debrah, TAKeOFF Director, KNUST, Ghana, Dr. Manuel Ritter and Dr. Kathrin Arndts, both from the University of Bonn, Uniklinikum Bonn, IMMIP, Germany and Prince Owusu, TAKeOFF-Ghana Student.

The conference provided a valuable opportunity for networking and fostering new collaborations for both scientists and students.