Disseminating research findings through conference participation is crucial for postgraduate students, benefiting both the individual researcher and the academic community. This practice fulfils academic requirements, advances knowledge, builds reputations, and fosters collaboration. Additionally, it engages with practical applications, undergoes peer review for validation, and enhances research impact, attracting support and funding for future projects. In essence, sharing research is essential for academic growth and societal impact.

The University of Pretoria Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP ISMC) is a research entity rooted in transdisciplinary collaboration. The institute brings together postgraduate students from a range of academic disciplines, cultivating a distinctive mix that promotes innovative research for a holistic approach to addressing malaria. As the year concludes, we celebrate the impactful research of our postgraduate students. Some of them have actively presented at national and international conferences, showcasing their contributions on a global scale.

Local and national scientific events

One of the best ways to prepare for big international conferences involves active participation in a range of academic events, including research days, open science gatherings, and colloquia at your own university, to national conferences hosted by various institutions and science organisations. These forums serve as crucial stepping stones, providing opportunities to refine presentation skills and build confidence in diverse academic settings. Engagement with researchers from different institutions enriches perspectives and cultivates a collaborative network essential for success on the global academic stage. Academic events with diverse research themes cultivate cross-disciplinary collaboration, sparking a vibrant exchange that often leads to ground-breaking insights and innovative ideas towards one’s own research discipline or focus.

The UP ISMC financially supported 16 of our postgraduate researchers to attend and participate at the 8^th Southern Africa Malaria Research Conference, which took place from 1 to 3 August in Pretoria. Our students exhibited a high level of expertise and mastery in effectively conveying their research findings, which resulted in two of them being awarded for their contributions. The best poster award went to Natanya Venter an MSc Biochemistry student in our Parasite Control cluster, with a poster titled “Exploring epidrugs as druggable compounds for Plasmodium falciparum in vitro.”. Natanya said the following: “I would consider it an honour to contribute, even in the smallest way, to the eventual eradication of diseases like malaria.".

The best oral presentation was awarded to Henrico Langeveld, a PhD Biochemistry student also from our Parasite Control cluster with his talk titled “Chemically probing the biology of Plasmodium falciparum using anti-cancer inhibitors.”. “To carve a way towards malaria elimination, we need to investigate and understand what makes the enemy, Plasmodium, tick”, he said. “I hope to shed some light on the mostly unknown role players and mechanisms governing the malaria parasite’s cell division during my research.”.

Henrico Langeveld (left) and Natanya Venter (right)

During the annual University of Pretoria’s Faculty Of Health Sciences Research Day that took place on 24 August 23, our postgraduate, students registered in the faculty, participated and informed their fellow students of what is new in terms of malaria. Monique Shanahan, a PhD Environmental Health student in our Vector Control cluster, won best oral presentation by a PhD student with a talk titled “Identifying potential drivers of malaria in the eastern Vhembe District, Limpopo Province”. Monique, who has always had a particular interest in the ecology of vector species, and understanding the vector-human associations said: "Developing effective vector control approaches against malaria requires finesse; to achieve this, we need to understand the driving factors of transmission. As Confucius wisely said, 'do not use a cannon to kill a mosquito.'"

Monique Shanahan

International conference participation

“I would encourage all postgraduate students to take the leap of faith and apply for the conference they would like to attend, even if they are hesitant. After all, you miss 100% of the opportunities you don't take.” These sentiments were shared by Henrico after his first participation at an international conference in the USA earlier this year.

His fellow PhD Biochemistry students, Savannah Watson and Nicola Greyling, followed his example and submitted their scientific abstracts to participate at two separate international conferences, one with a focus on malaria and the other on transmissible disease. Savannah presented a talk titled “SQ109 as a transmission-selective compound against Plasmodium falciparum" at the 8^th Future of Malaria Research Symposium on Friday, October 28^th, hosted by the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute. The symposium focused on presentations by early-career scientists and emerging leaders in all areas of malaria research.

Savannah Watson

Nicola presented a talk titled “Genetic complexity influence in vitro phenotypes and antimalarial susceptibility of P. falciparum asexual and gametocyte clinical isolates" at the 16^th International Conference on Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary Genetics of Infectious Diseases, which took place from 14-17 November 2023 in Germany. The conference, organised by Elsevier, focused on health problems of specific interest to the present world: COVID-19, the spread of transmissible diseases linked to climate and ecological disorders, tuberculosis, AIDS, malaria, to name a few.

Nicola Greeyling

In summary, to all postgraduate students out there:. Expand your horisons, elevate your research. Seize all opportunities to present locally and nationally; it's the foundation for international success. Each opportunity hones your skills and amplifies your impact. Embrace the journey, and let your research resonate on a global scale.

Congratulations to our students who made use of opportunities available to share their research, expand their networks, and represent the University of Pretoria and UP ISMC. You made us proud. Here’s looking towards more conferences in 2024.