Workshop Instructors
December 29, 2019
We have been very fortunate to have fantastic phage experts who have developed our Phage Workshop curriculum and delivered our 3 previous workshops in East & West Africa. They include Prof. Martha Clokie and Dr. Janet Nale from the University of Leicester (UK) and Dr. Ben Chan from Yale University (US).
Martha leads one of the largest phage research groups in Europe and is regularly asked to give keynote lectures at scientific conferences. Her expertise includes developing phages to kill problem bacteria — including antibiotic-resistant ones — in people, animals and agriculture. Having first worked in Africa in 1996, she continues to relish her time spent with scientists there.
Janet has isolated what is arguably the most comprehensive and best characterized collection of phages against Clostridium difficile. This bacteria is the leading cause of antibiotic-induced infections, particularly in elderly patients, and Janet and Martha are now planning for a clinical trial using these phages. Janet is originally from Nigeria, so she has a special passion for bringing knowledge about phages to other African scientists.
Ben has been involved in treating more people with phages than perhaps any scientist in the US. He specializes in combining phages with antibiotics in order to maximize efficient and synergistic use of both. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he and Tobi have initiated a project to develop cholera phages for applications in that country.
With this fabulous team of instructors, we are working toward delivering more Phage Workshops in Africa as well as in Asia. Please consider donating today to help us achieve that!
With gratitude,
Tobi Nagel, PhD - President
Karen Erickson - Treasurer
James B. Lin - Secretary
