2021 Graduate Studies Entrance Award

Portrait of Uwa Iyamu
Bio info of Uwa Iyamu

Project title: Targeting conserved epitopes in proteins for a vaccine against malaria in pregnancy against malaria in pregnancy

How would you describe your research project to someone without a scientific background?

Plasmodium falciparum is a parasite of the Plasmodium species that causes malaria. My project aims to develop an effective vaccine against malaria in pregnant women.

What impact do you hope this project makes once completed?

The vaccine design approach I have adopted for my project will guide the future development of vaccine candidates that we hope will be effective against the variant forms of Plasmodium falciparum and other Plasmodium species.

How has the support from Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology helped you?

The Institute has given me the opportunity to connect with research mentors.

What first attracted you to science?

I grew up in a malaria-endemic country. Due to personal experience with the disease, I grew interested in knowing the disease.

What's been the best part of your research experience so far? 

Receiving the Graduate Studies Entrance Award from the LKSIoV.

What is your favorite distraction or hobby?

Reading Chinese fantasy novels.

What is a weird pet peeve you have?

When my laptop runs slowly.

Back to Graduate Studies Entrance Awardees List