Program

Professor Babacar Faye is a prominent academic at Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) in Dakar, where he holds a chair in the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Odontostomatology (FMPOS). As head of the Pharmacology/Pharmacodynamics department, he leads research on medicinal plants, focusing on their anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. His studies have significantly advanced knowledge on the use of plants to treat diabetes in Senegal. Professor Faye also directs the Master's program in Hospital and Community Pharmacy, shaping the next generation of pharmacists and researchers. He is an active member of various scientific societies and has published numerous research articles, contributing to the development of pharmacology and medicine in Senegal.

Dr. Inès Vigan-Womas is a Research Director at the Institut Pasteur, specializing in infectious diseases with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. With over two decades of expertise in cellular biology and immunology, her research addresses major diseases such as malaria, cysticercosis, leptospirosis, plague, dengue, and more recently, COVID-19, which have a significant public health impact. Since 2019, Dr. Vigan-Womas has led the Immunophysiopathology and Infectious Diseases Department at the Institut Pasteur de Dakar. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, she directed innovative immunological studies, utilizing advanced platforms to investigate immune responses to COVID-19 infection and vaccination. Her work has been crucial in isolating Senegalese monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against SARS-CoV-2, Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever, and Rift Valley fever, which hold potential for vaccine development and diagnostics. Dr. Vigan-Womas has significantly advanced the understanding of immune responses to infectious diseases in resource-limited settings. Her research also supports the development of the next generation of African immunologists, playing a key role in combating both endemic and emerging diseases in Africa. Her ongoing work remains essential to improving public health and shaping responses to infectious disease challenges in the region.

Ousmane Ndiaye received his PhD at Columbia University in the USA and he is the Director of Meteorology of the Senegal National Agency for Civil Aviation and Meteorology (ANACIM). His expertise lies on climate prediction and its application. He has worked extensively on the delivery of climate information services to users from an end to end perspective, responding to the demand of users through co-production and validation of climate services. He coordinates a multidisciplinary working group (GTP) at district level in Senegal to deliver targeted climate information to farmers and fishermen to improve preparedness. More recently, he has been working with the health community in Senegal to promote heat-health early warning.

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove is a renowned leader in global health, currently the Acting Director of the Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness at the World Health Organization (WHO). She also serves as the COVID-19 Technical Lead and Emergency Manager, and recently led the global response to the 2024 mpox outbreak, declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). With over 20 years of experience in infectious disease epidemiology, Dr. Van Kerkhove has tackled numerous global health crises, including COVID-19, Ebola, Zika, MERS, avian influenza, and mpox. Her expertise spans research, policy, and practice, with a focus on strengthening global health systems and fostering international collaboration. Known for her strategic thinking and diplomacy, Dr. Van Kerkhove has been instrumental in shaping global health policies and coordinating responses to emerging health threats. She is also recognized for her clear, science-based communication during times of crisis. Her research primarily examines the transmission of zoonotic diseases, where pathogens jump from animals to humans. Dr. Van Kerkhove holds a PhD from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and has held senior positions at institutes such as Imperial College London and the Institut Pasteur. Her leadership continues to influence global public health strategy.

Idrissa Dieng is spearheading research into viruses, with a primary focus on arboviruses, particularly delving into molecular evolution and the advancement of diagnostic tools. Since its initial detection in Senegal in 1970, Dengue virus has been a prominent concern. The viral landscape, until 2009, was primarily characterized by the presence of sylvatic DENV-2 strains. However, a significant transition occurred with the onset of the first urban epidemic. Subsequently, annual epidemics have been documented since 2017. Despite this persistent circulation, there has been limited understanding of the genetic diversity of the virus.
To bridge this knowledge gap, we have utilized Next Generation Sequencing technologies, including Illumina and Nanopore, to conduct genomic surveillance of circulating viral strains in Senegal. This initiative is integrated into the Senegalese Syndromic Sentinel Surveillance program (4S Network). By doing so, we can effectively monitor the genetic composition of the virus and evaluate its implications for preventive, therapeutic, and diagnostic interventions.
Furthermore, the insights gained and the advancements made in dengue diagnostics and genomic surveillance have been extended to other West African countries where dengue surveillance programs are deficient, such as Cabo Verde.

Dr. Marta Fernández Suárez is a global health executive spearheading innovation and transformation in healthcare. With over 15 years of experience across academia, industry, and global health institutions, she focuses on developing diagnostics and digital health technologies to improve health equity worldwide. She holds an M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Institut Quimic de Sarria and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from MIT.

Dr. Maryam Diarra is a biostatistician and researcher at the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD), specializing in applied epidemiological modeling of infectious diseases. Her work focuses on the development of mathematical models of epidemics for prediction and evaluation of the impact of intervention strategies, such as the impact of vaccination. During COVID-19, Dr Diarra has conducted research to understand the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and to evaluate optimal vaccination strategies against COVID-19 in Senegal using mathematical modelling techniques.

Dr. Moussa Moïse Diagne, a research scientist at the Virology Department of the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, is advancing pathogen discovery and response within the One Health framework using next-generation sequencing. His work integrates epidemiology, genomics, and public health. Dr. Diagne holds a Master’s in Animal Biology and a PhD in viral anthropozoonosis, focusing on the risks of black rat introduction in Senegal. Since 2017, his research has centered on pathogen discovery in Africa. Dr. Diagne has collaborated with prestigious institutions, such as the University of Texas and Harvard University, and played a pivotal role in managing Ebola outbreaks and the 2023 Marburg outbreak. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led genomic surveillance efforts in Africa through IPD’s regional laboratory. As head of IPD’s sequencing platform and deputy head of the WHO Yellow Fever Regional Reference Laboratory, he aims to strengthen responses to emerging diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. A mentor to many students, Dr. Diagne has supervised multiple theses and academic projects. His research, including the identification of various viruses from small mammals, has provided critical insights into pathogen transmission. He is a member of the Pasteur Network Scientific Working Groups, contributing to global efforts in combating infectious diseases through collaboration, innovation, and cutting-edge genomic tools.

Dr Oumar Faye completed his Master's and thesis studies at the Arbovirus and Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Unit (AVFHU) at the Virology Pole of Pasteur Institute in Dakar, Senegal, from 2002 to 2009. After earning his Ph.D., he worked as a Postdoc until 2011, became an Assistant Researcher in 2012, and has been a Senior Researcher since 2015. He specializes in arboviruses and hemorrhagic fevers, focusing on diagnostic kit development, molecular biology, and mobile laboratory deployment for outbreak investigations. He developed molecular assays for detecting Zika, dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya viruses. Notably, he created the first molecular diagnostic method for Zika, which was used during the 2015 outbreak in Brazil. His work, funded by GIZ, Welcome Trust, and the EU, includes developing field rapid tests for arbovirus management in low-resource settings. These tests, based on recombinase polymerase amplification, have been deployed in outbreaks like Ebola in West Africa, Zika in Cape Verde and Brazil, and Ebola in the DRC. He also coordinated mobile laboratory operations during dengue outbreaks in 2017 and 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal. His molecular characterization studies led to 115 publications in prestigious journals, including Nature and the New England Journal of Medicine.

Tulio de Oliveira is a bioinformatics and genomics expert specializing in infectious disease epidemiology. He is the founding director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), based in South Africa, which focuses on genomic surveillance to track and control emerging pathogens. Dr. de Oliveira played a pivotal role in identifying and monitoring SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Beta and Omicron, during the COVID-19 pandemic. His work bridges advanced genomics, public health, and policymaking, particularly in Africa. He collaborates extensively with global health organizations to enhance epidemic preparedness. He has received international recognition for his contributions to science and public health.

Dr. François-Xavier Berthet is an accomplished scientist and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and biotech sectors. He has a proven track record in turning scientific innovation into marketable success stories, with a particular focus on technology transfer, business development, and value creation across multiple industries. Throughout his career, Dr. Berthet has worked with renowned institutions and organizations, including GlaxoSmithKline, Institut Pasteur, and various startups, where he applied his expertise in molecular biology, vaccine development, and business strategy.

Currently, Dr. Berthet serves as the Director of Biomedical Research at the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, where he contributes to the scientific excellence of the research and development department. He manages the Grant Office and leads the establishment of the CARE Education & Innovation Center. His work at the intersection of bioinformatics, mathematics, and abstract algebra has led to pioneering research initiatives.

Prior to this, Dr. Berthet held various leadership roles, including CEO of x + b.i CONSULTING, where he provided strategic consulting services to multinational corporations, NGOs, and research institutes. He also served as the Director of Business Development for Keygene, focusing on plant genomics and breeding technologies, and as R&D Director at Biokit, where he led the development of molecular diagnostics and antigen production.

Dr. Berthet holds a PhD in Molecular Microbiology from Université Paris 7 Denis Diderot and an engineering degree in Biotechnology from the École Supérieure de Biotechnologie in Strasbourg. He has also completed advanced management programs at ESADE Business School and Babson College. A prolific researcher and innovator, Dr. Berthet has contributed to numerous scientific publications and patents, making significant contributions to the fields of microbiology, virology, and vaccine development.