Elevating Genetic Research In Africa with Ambroise Wonkam

In today’s episode, we discuss genetic research as it pertains to the African genome. Joining us today to talk about this topic is world-renowned geneticist, Ambroise Wonkam. 

Ambroise Wonkam is a Professor of Genetic Medicine and director of the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins University. Professor Wonkam received medical training from the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Yaoundé I. He completed a thesis in Medical Sciences from the University of Geneva in Switzerland, and a Ph.D. in Human Genetics from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. He has also received training as a specialist medical geneticist from the University of Switzerland. 

Professor Wonkam is a well-seasoned researcher, with more than 190 peer-reviewed publications. His research interests hone in on 1) Genomics modifiers of sickle cell disease (SCD); 2) Genetics of hearing loss, and 3) Ethical and educational issues in human genetics in Africa. Over the past 10 years, Prof. Wonkam has successfully led numerous NIH- and Wellcome Trust–funded projects, accounting for about 20 million USD. His research projects span several countries across Africa including Tanzania, Cameroon, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Mali, Sudan, Rwanda, and Ghana.

Additionally, Professor Wonkam serves as president of the African Society of Human Genetics, the chair of the steering committee of H3 Africa, a board member of the International Federation of Human Genetics Societies, a steering committee member of the Global Genetic Medicine Collaborative (G2MC), and a faculty scholar of the Human Genome Organization (HUGO). Furthermore, he is the associate editor of the American Journal of Human Genetics, the American Journal of Medical Genetics, and the Journal of Community Genetics, the academic editor of PLoS One, and a member of the editorial board of Human Genetics.

Links/References:

Five Priorities of African Genomics Research: The Next Frontier

Ambroise Wonkam, Nchangwi S. Munung, Collet Dandara, Kevin K. Esoh, Neil A. Hanchard, Guida Landoure

Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics 2022 23:1, 499-521

https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-genom-111521-102452 

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Research intern: Chisomo Mwale

Theme music: Antidote by Ketsa

Artwork: Chidiebere Ibe