From September 1 to 3, 2026, the Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID) maintained a commanding presence at the Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA) Kenya Chapter Annual Meeting, held at the KCB Leadership Centre in Nairobi
Executive Director Prof. Charles Wondji and CRID researchers
From September 1 to 3, 2026, the Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID) maintained a commanding presence at the Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA) Kenya Chapter Annual Meeting, held at the KCB Leadership Centre in Nairobi under the theme "Reconnect and Reimagine Mosquito Control in Africa." As a Silver Sponsor, CRID welcomed international delegates to its exhibition booth, showcasing ongoing research initiatives and cutting-edge sequencing services designed to strengthen regional disease surveillance. The meeting opened with an inspiring ceremony co-presided over by Dr. Elijah Juma, PAMCA Kenya Chapter Chairman, and Dr. Jessy Goupeyou, CRID’s Global Advocacy Lead.
A primary highlight of the conference took place on September 1, when the African Centre for Vector Genomics (AVecGen) successfully convened its inaugural symposium entitled "The African Vector Genomics Hub (AVecGen): Building integrated genomic expertise to accelerate the fight against vector-borne diseases." The session provided a premier platform to showcase AVecGen’s high-throughput sequencing and genomic infrastructure, demonstrating how African scientists are increasingly conducting world-class research to address vector-borne diseases and advance vector control across the continent.
The symposium featured insightful presentations from six expert speakers spanning complementary domains of vector genomics, including Prof. Charles Wondji on the genetic and molecular mechanisms of insecticide resistance in Anopheles spp., Dr. Mewamba Estelle on genomic surveillance platforms and next-generation sequencing applications, Prof. Isabella Oyier on building sustainable genomic capacity, Dr. Eric Ochomo on translating genomic data into public health tools, Dr. Mahamat Gadji on strengthening bioinformatics infrastructure and workforce development through AVecGen, and Dr. Magellan Tchouakui on how a COEAE80 esterase variant and P450-suppression drive chlorfenapyr resistance in malaria vectors.
Beyond the AVecGen symposium, CRID researchers actively shaped the broader conference agenda. Executive Director Prof. Charles Wondji delivered a keynote plenary address highlighting strategic pathways for scaling African-led genomic innovation, while Dr. Magellan Tchouakui co-chaired key scientific sessions alongside numerous oral and poster presentations from CRID scientists. Together, these contributions underscored the vital importance of integrated genomic expertise, African-led research capacity, and strong South–South collaborations. Through active participation at PAMCA 2026, CRID and the AVecGen project continue to drive collaborative innovation, empowering local research networks to eliminate mosquito-borne diseases and deliver sustainable public health solutions across Africa.
