\nAfrican Microbiomes in Action: From Multi-omics Data to Impactful Solutions<\/b><\/span><\/span>
\n(Virtual Event)<\/b><\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” color=”juicy-pink” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section title=”Overview” tab_id=”overview”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Date: 21st September 2026<\/h4>\n14:00 – 18:00 CAT \/ 12:00 – 16:00 GMT (see your time here<\/a><\/strong>)<\/h4>\nVirtual Event<\/h4>\n
Abstract submission is now closed<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Register here” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fhtraindb.h3abionet.org%2Fform%2F5th-african-microbiome-day-afric|||”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\nOrganizing Team<\/h3>\n\n- H3Africa Coordinating Centre<\/li>\n
- H3Africa Microbiome Task Force\/African Microbiome Special Interest Group\n
\n- Dr. Ovokeraye Oduaran<\/li>\n
- Dr. Soumaya Kouidhi<\/li>\n
- Prof. Lamech Mwapagha<\/li>\n
- Prof. Modupe Coker<\/li>\n
- Dr. Ibukun Abulude<\/li>\n
- Dr. Luicer Ingasia Olubayo<\/li>\n
- Mr. Bonface Gichuki<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Flyer Poster” tab_id=”flyer_poster”][vc_column_text]African-Microbiome-Day-Poster-2026<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Agenda” tab_id=”agenda”][vc_column_text]\n
\n\n\n\t<\/td> 5th African Microbiome Day Agenda (Virtual Event)<\/center><\/th><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n\n\t<\/td> African Microbiomes in Action: From Multi-omics Data to Impactful Solutions<\/strong><\/center><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\tGMT+2<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/center><\/td>September 21, 2026. (14:00 - 18:00 GMT+2)<\/center><\/td>Moderator<\/strong><\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\t14:00 - 14:05<\/strong><\/center><\/td>Welcome\/Introduction<\/strong><\/center><\/td>Dr. Ovokeraye Oduaran<\/strong><\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\t<\/td> Academic Session 1<\/strong><\/center><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t14:05 - 14:23<\/strong><\/center><\/td>Invited Speaker: Dr. Donald Nyangahu<\/strong><\/td>Prof. 'Dupe Coker<\/strong><\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\tGut Microbiota from HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants Causally Alters Growth, Bone and Immune Development<\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\t14:23 - 15:03<\/strong><\/center><\/td>Selected abstracts for flash talks presentation (pre-recorded with combined real-time Q&A session)<\/strong><\/center><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\tProf. Mahmoud ElHefnawi: <\/strong>Metagenomic Sequencing for detection of pathogens in Culture-Negative Infective Endocarditis in Egyptian Patients<\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\tDr. Angeziwa Chunga: <\/strong>Gut microbiota composition and genomic characterisation of Bifidobacterium isolates from exclusively breastfed Malawian infants<\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\tProf. Kingsley Anukam: <\/strong> Putative virulence genes found in Psychrobacter immobilis strain MUD-KCA23, relevance to necrotizing cellulitis<\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\tDr. Syrine Nebli: <\/strong> Functional proteomic signatures reveal virulence-associated adaptations across the human ENT microbiome<\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\tDr. Alif Chebbi: <\/strong> Endometriosis and the microbiome: from omics methodologies and mechanistic insights to future African research priorities<\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\tCombined Q&A<\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\t<\/td> Industry Session<\/strong><\/center><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t15:03 - 15:18<\/strong><\/center><\/td>Dr. Nicki Adams:<\/strong> Delivering the Future of Microbial Genomics with Oxford Nanopore.<\/em><\/td>Prof. Lamech Mwapagha<\/strong><\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\t15:18 - 15:33<\/strong><\/center><\/td>Mr. William Nyakundi:<\/strong> Unlock the Full Microbiome Journey: From Sample Collection to Sequencing (Inqaba Biotec)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\t15:33 - 15:43<\/strong><\/center><\/td>Information Session<\/strong><\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\tDr. Raylton Chikwati: <\/strong> Gut Immune Brain Axis (GIBA) Research in Africa<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\t15:43 - 16:03<\/strong><\/center><\/td>Break<\/strong><\/center><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t<\/td> Academic Session 2<\/strong><\/center><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t16:03 - 16:21<\/strong><\/center><\/td>Invited Speaker: Dr. Oussama Souiai<\/strong><\/td>Prof. Soumaya Kouidhi<\/strong><\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\tFrom Meta-Genomes to Actions: Genomic Surveillance at the One Health Interface of Agriculture, Wildlife, and Human Health<\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\t16:21 - 17:00<\/strong><\/center><\/td>Selected abstracts for flash talks presentation (pre-recorded with combined real-time Q&A session)<\/strong><\/center><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\tMrs. Kholden Amri & Ms. Nada Jendoubi: <\/strong> The Tunisian Pilot Study<\/center><\/td>Mr. Bonface Gichuki<\/strong><\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\tDr. Kristien Nel Van Zyl: <\/strong>Neglected Microbiota: the Mycobiome and Virome in African Populations<\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\tMr. Patrick Tenga: <\/strong>A Deep Bayesian Causal Inference Framework for Integrating Multi-Omics and Imaging Data to Predict Neoadjuvant Therapy Response in Breast Cancer via the Tumor Microbiome-Immune Axis<\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\tMr. Aaron Berkman: <\/strong>An African-specific k-mer database for improved human read removal in viral and bacterial metagenomic data<\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\tCombined Q&A<\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\t17:00 - 17:50<\/strong><\/center><\/td>Keynote Speaker: Dr. Trevor Lawley<\/strong><\/td>Dr. Luicer Olubayo<\/strong><\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\tEarly life gut microbiomes and longer-term health outcomes<\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\t17:50 - 18:00<\/strong><\/center><\/td>Announcements\/Thanks\/Closing<\/strong><\/center><\/td>Dr. Ovokeraye Oduaran<\/strong><\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\nModerators<\/h3>\n
[\/vc_column_text]
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/h3africa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2022-08-17-at-8.15.36-AM.jpeg\")
<\/div><\/div><\/div>Dr. Ovokeraye Oduaran<\/h4>
Honorary researcher at the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, and current chair of the H3Africa\u2019s Microbiome Task Force.<\/div><\/div><\/div>Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of the Witwatersrand<\/blockquote><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n![\"Dr](\"https:\/\/h3africa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/DrLuicerOlubayo-1.jpeg\")
<\/div><\/div><\/div>Dr. Luicer Ingasia Olubayo<\/h4>
Visiting researcher at the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, and a member of the H3Africa\u2019s Microbiome Task Force.<\/div><\/div><\/div>The Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB), University of the Witwatersrand<\/blockquote><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n![\"Soumaya](\"https:\/\/h3africa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Soumaya_pic.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div><\/div>Dr. Soumaya Kouidhi<\/h4>
Soumaya Kouidhi, PhD, HDR is an Associate Professor at the University of Manouba, Tunisia, specializing in microbiome, precision medicine and translational research. Her work focuses on microbiome\u2013host interactions in cancer, transplantation and chronic diseases, integrating multi-omics and AI. She is co-chair of the African Microbiome Science Initiative (AMSIG), promoting collaborative and equitable microbiome research across Africa.<\/div><\/div><\/div>Higher Institute for Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba<\/blockquote><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n![\"Prof](\"https:\/\/h3africa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Prof-Lamech.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div><\/div>Prof. Lamech Mwapagha<\/h4>
Head Molecular and Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology. Member H3Africa\u2019s Microbiome Task Force.<\/div><\/div><\/div>Namibia University of Science and Technology, Namibia
\n<\/blockquote><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n![\"Modupe](\"https:\/\/h3africa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Modupe-Coker.png\")
<\/div><\/div><\/div>Prof. Modupe Coker<\/h4>
Dr. Modupe Coker serves as the Assistant Dean of Clinical and Translational Research, Director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Research (CCTR), and as an Associate Professor in the Department of Basic and Translational Sciences at the School of Dental Medicine (Penn Dental Medicine), University of Pennsylvania. Her work focuses on the microbiome and its relationship with early-life infections, behavioral factors, and environmental influences on oral and dental health. Her work not only seeks to advance scientific understanding but also to translate research findings into practical solutions that benefit populations and communities.\u201d<\/div><\/div><\/div>Penn Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.<\/blockquote><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Virtual Event<\/h4>\n
Abstract submission is now closed<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Register here” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fhtraindb.h3abionet.org%2Fform%2F5th-african-microbiome-day-afric|||”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Flyer Poster” tab_id=”flyer_poster”][vc_column_text]African-Microbiome-Day-Poster-2026<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Agenda” tab_id=”agenda”][vc_column_text]\n [\/vc_column_text]Organizing Team<\/h3>\n
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\n\n
\n\t <\/td> <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n\n\t <\/td> <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t \n\t \n\t <\/td> <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Invited Speaker: Dr. Donald Nyangahu<\/strong><\/td> \n\t \n\t <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n\t \n\t \n\t \n\t <\/td> <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Dr. Nicki Adams:<\/strong> Delivering the Future of Microbial Genomics with Oxford Nanopore.<\/em><\/td> \n\t Mr. William Nyakundi:<\/strong> Unlock the Full Microbiome Journey: From Sample Collection to Sequencing (Inqaba Biotec)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t \n\t Dr. Raylton Chikwati: <\/strong> Gut Immune Brain Axis (GIBA) Research in Africa<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t <\/td> <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Invited Speaker: Dr. Oussama Souiai<\/strong><\/td> \n\t \n\t <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n\t \n\t \n\t Keynote Speaker: Dr. Trevor Lawley<\/strong><\/td> \n\t \n\t Moderators<\/h3>\n
<\/div><\/div><\/div>Dr. Ovokeraye Oduaran<\/h4>
Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of the Witwatersrand<\/blockquote><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/div><\/div><\/div>Dr. Luicer Ingasia Olubayo<\/h4>
The Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB), University of the Witwatersrand<\/blockquote><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/div><\/div><\/div>Dr. Soumaya Kouidhi<\/h4>
Higher Institute for Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba<\/blockquote><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/div><\/div><\/div>Prof. Lamech Mwapagha<\/h4>
Namibia University of Science and Technology, Namibia
\n<\/blockquote><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>Prof. Modupe Coker<\/h4>
Penn Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.<\/blockquote><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n