MARCAD Plus General Meeting 2025

The Malaria Research Capacity Development Consortium (MARCAD) in West and Central Africa, in collaboration with the MRC Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRCG), hosted the MARCAD Plus General Meeting from 6 - 9 May 2025 at the Ocean Bay Hotel, Banjul, The Gambia.

The opening ceremony was held in the presence of Mrs. Harriet King, the British High Commissioner to The Gambia; Mr. Denis Chopera, Senior Programme Manager at the Science for Africa (SFA) Foundation; Mr. Dembo Kanteh, Head of Strategic Partnerships at MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM (MRCG), representing Prof Umberto D’Alessandro, Director of MRCG and Principal Investigator of MARCAD Plus. Also in attendance was Professor Alima Abdallah, Chair of the MARCAD Plus External Advisory Board.

The event started with welcoming remarks from Professors Alfred Ngwa and Halima, followed by addresses from representatives of the host institution (MRCG), members of the Expert Advisory Board (EAB), and the MARCAD Plus Director, Prof Oumar Gaye.

“Our vision is to shape the future of emerging leaders and to positively impact a new generation of scientists, fostering leadership excellence in Africa through research,” said Professor Oumar Gaye, MARCAD Plus Director.

In his keynote address, Professor Gaye offered a compelling overview of MARCAD’s journey, highlighting the program’s strong scientific leadership and its significant contributions to regional research. He emphasized the transition from MARCAD to MARCAD Plus, underscoring the importance of partnerships and the involvement of collaborating countries. He also reflected on institutional achievements and outlined strategic directions for future growth.

The MARCAD Plus General Meeting brought together researchers, principal investigators, fellows, public health experts, and key stakeholders from The Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, and beyond. The event served as a platform to showcase research advancements, share institutional updates, and foster collaborative strategies aimed at eliminating malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

Mr. Denis Chopera, SFA Foundation’s Senior Programme Manager described the meeting as “a proud moment for scientific collaboration in Africa,”

For her part, Mrs. Harriet King, British High Commissioner in The Gambia, expressed gratitude: “On behalf of the FCDO, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been involved and continues to be involved in this amazing work.”

Professor Alfred Ngwa from the MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM emphasized The Gambia’s pride in hosting such an important event, highlighting the MRC’s continued role in advancing regional research.

Throughout the meeting, attendees, including fellows, alumni, and MARCAD “Likes” participated in a series of highly engaging and interactive training sessions, such as:

• Overview of Research Methodology, delivered by Professors Pascal Magnussen and Mouhamadou Ali Thera, which deepened participants’ understanding of the principles and processes of scientific research.
• Scientific Reading & Writing, an interactive course by Professors Colin Sutherland (LSHTM) and Charles S. Wondji (LSTM), equipped attendees with the skills to produce high-quality scientific publications and prepare strong research proposals.
• Overview of Leadership and Science Diplomacy, presented by Professor Wilfred Mbacham, provided insights into effective leadership within the scientific landscape.
• Mentoring and Personal Development Plan, led by Professors Harry Tagbor and Olumide AT Ogundahunsi on Day 4, offered comprehensive guidance on mentoring and building a personal development plan.
• Research & Training: Challenges and Perspectives in Africa, an inspiring talk by Professor Hassan Jaye, delivered a strong call for African-led research priorities. He emphasized the importance of sustainable scientific leadership, capacity-building, and locally driven research agendas supported by inclusive ecosystems.

Scientific sessions featured presentations by MARCAD Plus fellows, including master's, PhD, and post-doctoral fellows who shared their research projects progress. MARCAD alumni also recounted their journeys, highlighting how the program served as a catalyst for academic success, innovation, and leadership across the continent.

The MARCAD Plus 2025 General Meeting concluded with a renewed sense of purpose, unity, and determination to advance the elimination of malaria and neglected tropical diseases through African-led scientific leadership.