Dr. Stephen Osei-Wusu of the Department of Bacteriology at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana, has been awarded the prestigious Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) Fellowship. The fellowship will support his efforts to strengthen capacity in cell biology and explore the immunological interactions driving the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex epidemic in West Africa.

During the fellowship, Dr. Osei-Wusu will undertake research training at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), University of Basel, under the mentorship of Dr. Damien Portevin. There, he will gain advanced skills in using 3D granuloma culture models that closely mimic the human tuberculosis environment. This approach will help uncover how different Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineages evolve and cause disease.

Reflecting on the significance of his award, Dr. Osei-Wusu shared, “The research we pursue as scientists should provide the building blocks for future studies and ultimately translate into the betterment of lives.”

The AREF Fellowship aims to empower early-career African scientists to conduct high-quality, impactful research that addresses Africa’s most pressing health challenges. Dr. Osei-Wusu’s award highlights NMIMR’s continued commitment to advancing scientific excellence and developing the next generation of African research leaders. Dr Osei-Wusu is the fourth research scientist at the Institute to win the AREF award in the last three years.