Over one third of people affected by neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) live in Africa. NTDs are a diverse set of diseases mainly prevalent in tropical areas. They are caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins. These diseases have a profound effect on people’s lives; they cause immeasurable suffering, prevent adults from being able to work, and children from being able to go to school.

Dr Etienne Bilgo, a researcher from Burkina Faso and Dr Nada Abdel Aziz a researcher from Egypt are pioneering novel approaches to tackle neglected tropical diseases on the continent with the support of the African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE) programme.

ARISE provides African researchers with the cutting-edge resources, mentorship, and collaborative networks needed to address some of the continent’s most pressing health challenges.
Dr Etienne Bilgo

Vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue continue to pose significant public health challenges across Africa. Despite advancements in disease control, these illnesses remain a serious threat, requiring innovative and sustainable solutions. Dr Bilgo is using his ARISE fellowship to focus his research on developing microbial-biotechnological solutions to control malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) like dengue. 

His research explores the use of the naturally occurring fungus Metarhizium pingshaense, which has shown significant potential in killing mosquitoes that transmit these deadly diseases. This innovative approach seeks to integrate fungal biocontrol methods with existing tools, such as insecticides, and emerging strategies like the Wolbachia bacteria, which can help reduce the spread of dengue.

Dr Bilgo’s research is not only groundbreaking but also deeply relevant to Africa’s public health landscape. Despite progress in malaria control, new strategies are essential to ensure long-term success. Moreover, dengue is emerging as an increasing threat in tropical regions, necessitating urgent and effective interventions. By focusing on locally adapted solutions, Dr Bilgo’s work ensures that the fight against vector-borne diseases is both scientifically effective and environmentally sustainable.

Dr Nada Abdel Aziz

Schistosomiasis, widely known as bilharzia, remains a public health problem in several parts of the world, particularly in Africa. It is the second most socioeconomically devastating parasitic disease after malaria, affecting over 200 million people. Dr Nada Abdel Aziz, is using her ARISE fellowship to enhance treatment efficacy and reduce the disease burden of schistosomiasis.

Her research aims to unravel the critical role of regulatory T cells in combating schistosomiasis-driven liver fibrosis—an often-fatal condition that disproportionately affects women and causes hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. By combining vaccine development, host-directed therapies, and a gender-based research approach, Dr Abdel Aziz’s team seeks to identify novel therapeutic targets to curb disease progression and improve treatment outcomes.

The ARISE fellowship has enabled Dr Abdel Aziz to establish an Immuno-Biotechnology hub at the Faculty of Science, Cairo University. This hub not only advances research on parasitic diseases but also provides training opportunities for a new generation of African scientists—from senior undergraduates to PhD candidates—while fostering cross-continental partnerships with institutions in both Africa and Europe.

Through her ARISE fellowship, Dr Abdel Aziz champions a transformative vision for health research in Africa, blending world-class innovation with dedicated mentorship and capacity building.