Gordon Awandare

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Gordon A Awandare
Gordon Awandare (middle) with his students during 2019 graduation
Born
Gordon Akanzuwine Awandare

Kandiga, Kassena Nankana West District
NationalityGhanaian
Alma materNotre Dame Seminary Senior High School

University of Ghana

University of Pittsburgh
Known forPro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana and Founding Director of WACCBIP
AwardsFellow of Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Royal Society Pfizer Award 2015
Scientific career
FieldsMalaria parasite biology, Immunology, Pathogenesis
InstitutionsUniversity of Ghana, West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, University of Pittsburgh
ThesisRole of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIf) And MIf Promoter Polymorphisms in the Pathogenesis of Severe Malarial Anemia (2007)
Doctoral advisorDouglas J. Perkins
Websitehttps://www.waccbip.org/staffs/gordon-awandare/

Gordon Akanzuwine Awandare is a Ghanaian parasitologist and the Pro-Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs at the University of Ghana. Prior to his appointment in January 2022, He was the founding Director of the West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP).[1] He is the current chairman of the CKT-UTAS governing council[2] and the Africa Global Editor of the Experimental Biology and Medicine (EBM) journal.

Early life and education[edit]

Gordon Awandare was born in Kandiga, a small village in northeastern Ghana. During childhood, he contracted malaria several times a year, at a time when treatment for the disease was scarce.[3]

Awandare was awarded a BSc in biochemistry in 1998 and an MPhil in Biochemistry in 2002 from the University of Ghana.[4] In 2003, he was alerted to PhD positions at the University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania, USA) earmarked for African fellows, and moved to the USA just eight months later.[4] In 2007, he graduated with a PhD in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology from the School of Public Health, with a thesis on severe malarial anemia. Following his doctoral studies, he spent three years at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (Maryland, USA), where he continued studying malaria, focusing on the Plasmodium falciparum parasite.[citation needed]

He returned to the University of Ghana in 2010 to establish his own research group.[4] Without start-up funding, he used US credit cards to support his work whilst applying for grants, and two years later received funding from both the Royal Society and the National Institutes of Health.[citation needed]

University Leadership and Management[edit]

Prof Awandare was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for Academic and Student Affairs (ASA).[5] The appointment took effect from 1 January 2022. Taking over from Prof. Daniel Frimpong Ofori, Provost of the College of Humanities who was appointed to act as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (ASA) from 27 October 2021.[6] He has previously served on the Governing Council of the University of Development Studies, Tamale, where he was also the Chairman of the University’s Audit Report Implementing Committee. Within the University of Ghana, he has been a member of Academic Board and served on the Business and Executive Committee for many years. Prof. Awandare has also been Chairman, Centre Management Committee for WACCBIP, and member of Management committees/boards for many units, including, Office of Research Innovation and Development (ORID), Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, School of Pharmacy, Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy, School of Biological Sciences, and School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. He has also chaired or served on numerous adhoc committees at the University of Ghana, including the Search Committee for Vice Chancellor in 2020/2021.[7]

Parasitology research[edit]

Awandare's research focuses on the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the infection it causes in children. His work focuses on both the immune response of the patient to infection, and the pathogenic processes of the parasite itself. In particular, he studies cell-surface receptors that could be potential vaccine targets[8] and his studies use parasites from infected children in Ghana, so that any vaccines developed will be applicable to real-life cases. He was the first to report the possibility of parasite phenotypic switching in in vitro cultures when shaken.[9] Prof. Awandare also led significant research into molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases in lower income setting in Africa.[10] In addition, He is significantly pushing for policy change in tackling hearing impairment in Ghana.[11]

During the 2020 COVID-19 global pandemic, Awandare led a group of scientist at the University of Ghana and the Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research to sequence SARS-COV2 virus isolates from Ghanaian patients.[12] In January 2021, He reported the importation of the UK strain of the virus in travellers arriving in Ghana from other African countries.[13][14] Awandare advocated for the re-imposition of ban on large funerals and weddings to reduce COVID-19 case spike in early 2021.[15]

WACCBIP[edit]

In 2013, Awandare led a consortium from the University of Ghana in a proposal to set up a new African Centre of Excellence to research infectious pathogens in Africa. The consortium consisted of faculty from the Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology (BCMB) and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), with support from staff of the University of Ghana Computing Systems (UGCS). Following the award of $8 million from the World Bank in November 2013, Awandare became the Founding Director of The West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP). The organization has since received further funding from the World Bank ACE project and the Wellcome Trust DELTAS programme. The mission of WACCBIP is to "improve the diagnosis, prevention, and control of tropical diseases in sub-Saharan Africa by providing advanced-level training and research excellence in cell and molecular biology",[16] with a remit to build capacity by training African scientists at masters, doctoral and post-doctoral levels. The center has expanded to study malaria, Buruli ulcer, HIV, and tuberculosis.  

Awards and recognition[edit]

In 2015, Awandare was awarded the Royal Society Africa Prize, which recognises innovative biological research scientists whose research also contributes towards significant capacity building in Africa. The award was made for "achievements in molecular and cellular studies of malaria, including how malaria parasites invade red blood cells and cause disease".[17] Prof. Gordon Awandare is a visiting professor of immunology at the Oxford Brookes University in the UK in February 2019.[18] He is the current board chairman of the CK Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS) governing council. CKT-UTAS is the newly caved out of university from the University for Development Studies in the Upper East Region of Ghana.[19] Previously, He was the government appointee on the University for Development Studies governing council.[20] Prof. Gordon Awandare is also the Network's Chairman of the established West African Network of Infectious Diseases ACEs (WANIDA), which will aim to enhance collaboration among West African health research institutions funded under the World Bank's African Centres of Excellence (ACE) Impact project.[21] In 2014, He was awarded the University of Ghana's Distinguished Award for Meritorious Service at 2014 Congregation.[22][23] He is a fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.[24] Professor Gordon Awandare has been named the first Africa Global Editor of the Experimental Biology and Medicine (EBM) journal[25]

Grants[edit]

Awandare has been a recipient and lead of several internationally competitive grants;

Year Funder Description Amount
2012 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Role of Complement Receptor 1 in Erythrocyte Invasion by Plasmodium Falciparum[26] US$42,322
2013 World Bank Group Africa Centers of Excellence Project I for the establishment of WACCBIP[27] US$8.0M
2015 Wellcome Trust Wellcome Trust's Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science (DELTAS) Africa Initiative[28] £7.1M
2017 National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) TIBA (Rapid Impact Project and Making a Difference Project)[29] £100,000
2017 UK Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) The Crick African Network's African Career Accelerator (CAN ACA)[30] £1,6M
2019 World Bank Group Africa Centers of Excellence Impact Project[31]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Gordon A. Awandare (BSc, MPhil (Ghana), PhD (Pittsburgh)) | Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology". University Of Ghana. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  2. ^ "The University Council - C.K.Tedam University Of Technology & Applied Sciences". Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  3. ^ "Gordon Awandare: Ghana's Homecoming King". The Scientist Magazine®. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
  4. ^ a b c "Dr Gordon A Awandare | Royal Society". royalsociety. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
  5. ^ "Professor Awandare appointed substantive UG Pro-VC". GhanaWeb. 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
  6. ^ "Professor Awandare appointed as Pro VC, Academic and Student Affairs, University of Ghana - MyJoyOnline.com". Myjoyonline. 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
  7. ^ "Prof. Gordon A. Awandare Appointed Pro-VC ASA | University of Ghana". University Of Ghana. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
  8. ^ "Ghanaian Scientists Discover Target for Malaria Vaccine". 99Science. 2021-01-08. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  9. ^ Awandare, Gordon A.; Nyarko, Prince B.; Aniweh, Yaw; Ayivor-Djanie, Reuben; Stoute, José A. (2018-04-10). "Plasmodium falciparum strains spontaneously switch invasion phenotype in suspension culture". Scientific Reports. 8 (1): 5782. Bibcode:2018NatSR...8.5782A. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-24218-0. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 5893586. PMID 29636510.
  10. ^ Yaw, Aniweh; Prosper, Kanyong; Krampa, Francis; Awandare, Gordon A. (2018-07-11). "Local diagnostics kits for Africa being developed in Ghana". Nature. 559 (7713): 181. Bibcode:2018Natur.559..181Y. doi:10.1038/d41586-018-05666-0. PMID 29991789.
  11. ^ Adadey, Samuel M.; Quaye, Osbourne; Amedofu, Geoffrey K.; Awandare, Gordon A.; Wonkam, Ambroise (2020). "Screening for GJB2-R143W-Associated Hearing Impairment: Implications for Health Policy and Practice in Ghana". Public Health Genomics. 23 (5–6): 184–189. doi:10.1159/000512121. ISSN 1662-4246. PMID 33302283.
  12. ^ "News Release - University of Ghana Scientists Sequence Genomes of Novel Coronavirus | University of Ghana". University of Ghana. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  13. ^ Ngoi, Joyce M.; Quashie, Peter K.; Morang'a, Collins M.; Bonney, Joseph Hk; Amuzu, Dominic Sy; Kumordjie, Selassie; Asante, Ivy A.; Bonney, Evelyn Y.; Eshun, Miriam; Boatemaa, Linda; Magnusen, Vanessa (2020-12-16). "Genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 reveals local viral evolution in Ghana". Experimental Biology and Medicine. 246 (8): 960–970. doi:10.1177/1535370220975351. ISSN 1535-3699. PMC 7746953. PMID 33325750.
  14. ^ "Ghana record new strain of Covid-19 as infections rise catch 200 new cases daily". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  15. ^ "Re-impose ban on large funerals, weddings to reduce Covid-19 spike – Prof. Awandre - MyJoyOnline.com". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  16. ^ "Overview – WACCBIP". waccbip. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
  17. ^ "2015 Royal Society Pfizer Award Seminar | Royal Society". royalsociety. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  18. ^ "Oxford Brookes University bioimaging scientists collaborate with researchers in Ghana to create a centre of excellence - Oxford Brookes University". Oxford Brookes University United Kingdom. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  19. ^ "Governing councils of 3 universities sworn in". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  20. ^ "Minister swears in UDS new governing council". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  21. ^ "UG, WACCBIP to host new West African network for health research – WACCBIP". Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  22. ^ "Two UG lecturers awarded for Meritorious service - MyJoyOnline.com". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  23. ^ "Joint Award for Distinguished Award for Meritorious Service 2013: Prof. Eric Danquah and Dr. Gordon Awandare | University of Ghana". University of Ghana. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  24. ^ "GAAS Fellow co-leads team of Ghanaian scientists to sequence genomes of novel corona virus – Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences". Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  25. ^ "WACCBIP Director Named First EBM Journal Global Editor for Africa | University of Ghana". University of Ghana. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  26. ^ "RePORT ⟩ RePORTER". reporter nih of government. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  27. ^ "WACCBIP – ACE – African Higher Education Centres of Excellence". Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  28. ^ "Grantees Profile | The AAS". Aasciences Africa. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  29. ^ "Principal Investigators | TIBA". tiba-partnership. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  30. ^ "Accelerator Awards". Crick. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  31. ^ "ACE Impact Centers – ACE – African Higher Education Centres of Excellence". Retrieved 2021-01-20.
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