Science of Defeating Malaria

A Leadership Development Course

June 7–13, 2026 | Abuja, Nigeria

The University of Cheikh Anta Diop at Dakar (UCAD) in Senegal is a premier academic institution in Africa. UCAD is a recognized and accredited institution of higher education by the Conseil Africain et Malgache de l’Enseignement Supérieur (CAMES).

In addition to instructional and mentoring experience in the University’s degree-granting programs, short courses, and sponsored international workshops, UCAD’s Department of Parasitology is further recognized and accredited by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Center of Training and Accreditation on Malaria Diagnostics for medical staff from African Francophone countries and Madagascar. UCAD’s laboratory also serves as a Center of Excellence on Genomics Infectious Diseases through the World Bank Program (ACEGID/IGH, at Redeemer’s University in Nigeria). 

UCAD’s International Center for Research and Training in Applied Genomics and Health Surveillance (CIGASS)
UCAD’s faculty and scientific community have been at the forefront of applying advanced research methods and technologies in the lab and translating new knowledge into practice (namely with the National Malaria Control Program, local malaria partners, and communities) to improve decision-making at the national/district levels. Centrally located on the campus of the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Odonto-Stomatology, offers valuable insights and practical applications for malaria-endemic countries around the world. The Center serves as a reference laboratory for the country and a global research and training center with robust technical platforms and analysis capabilities to support genomic surveillance, sequencing, and a significant biomedical diagnostic complex.

Since the establishment of the innovative leadership development course—”Science of Eradication: Malaria”—by partners at ISGlobal and Swiss TPH, significant advances have been made in the field of malaria. 

This flagship leadership course was first proposed in 2012 by long-time colleagues and malariologists: Professors Pedro L. Alonso (Founding Director, Barcelona Institute for Global Health), Dyann Wirth of Harvard University, and Marcel Tanner (Emeritus Director, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute).

The idea for the leadership course emerged during a pivotal time in the global malaria community (2011), as the dust of the renewed call for eradication had settled and funding was high ($8.3 billion, or 85%, was provided between FY2001–FY2011). In the scientific realm, powerful new tools stemming from the whole genome sequencing of the malaria parasite and mosquito were shedding light on potential counterattacks, and the Malaria Eradication Research Agenda (known as “malERA”) was offering a comprehensive analysis of the science needed to eliminate malaria. Meanwhile, malaria-endemic countries continued to battle against the disease and other public health challenges, weak health systems, economic and societal inequalities, limited human resource capacities, and uneven political leadership.

Today, a new generation of malaria leaders is leveraging the legacy of the “Science of Eradication: Malaria” course—including robust networks of alumni and faculty teaching experts, know-how in developing global public goods, and connections to the greater international health/malaria community—to carry forward the leadership course under a name: “Science of Defeating Malaria,” to mark its transition to primarily African academic leadership

The Institute for Genomics and Global Health (IGH) at Redeemer’s University in Nigeria is a pioneering research institute dedicated to harnessing the power of genomics to transform public health in Africa and beyond. With a foundation built on over a decade of excellence in infectious disease research, IGH has expanded its scope to tackle some of the most pressing health challenges, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. By advancing cutting-edge research, developing innovative solutions, and building scientific capacity, it is shaping the future of healthcare and global health. IGH’s journey began in 2014 with the establishment of the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID). 

Recognizing the vast potential of genomics beyond infectious diseases, ACEGID evolved into the Institute of Genomics and Global Health (IGH) on October 7, 2024. This transition marked a significant milestone, broadening its mission to include research and innovation in precision medicine, biotechnology, and non-communicable diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular conditions. It now serves as a multidisciplinary hub for cutting-edge genomics research, integrating data science and bioinformatics to accelerate scientific breakthroughs. While ACEGID continues its critical work as one of five specialized centers within IGH, the institute as a whole is expanding its efforts to develop diagnostics, therapeutics, and preventive solutions that address a wider range of health challenges.

Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) is the nation’s central health implementation agency. The RBC was established in 2011 through a merger of fourteen key health institutions. RBC strives to improve the health of the Rwandan population by providing high quality, affordable and sustainable health care services. This is accomplished through the implementation of preventative, rehabilitative, and curative health interventions.

RBC conducts scientific research, provides diagnostics services, and implements innovative health interventions to protect the nation against diseases and other health threats. Its mission is to promote high quality, affordable, and sustainable health care services to the population through evidence-based interventions and practices guided by ethics and professionalism.

The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ghana was established by an Act of Parliament in December 2011, with the vision of becoming a pre-eminent research and practically oriented health educational institution dedicated to community service. The main campus, including the central administration, is in Ho, with a second campus located in Hohoe. 

UHAS is the first public university established in the Volta Region of Ghana and remains the only state university in Ghana wholly dedicated to training healthcare professionals.

The Centre for Malaria Research at UHAS aims to provide the best evidence for policy and practice in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and elimination of malaria in Ghana and other parts of the world, as well as to provide teaching and training opportunities for graduate students on malaria in UHAS, other Universities, and Health Training Institutions. The Centre carries out its mandate by fostering collaboration between malaria researchers with a variety of expertise within and outside the University. Additionally, the Center collaborates with the National Malaria Programme in various ways, including the establishment of a Postgraduate Malaria Course at UHAS and the publication of an Annual Newsletter, UHAS Malaria News.