Welcoming Our New SPARK Africa Fellows

Following a highly competitive selection process, SPARK Africa is pleased to welcome the 2026 cohort of fellows: Loïc Ngwem and Ibrahim Taibat.

Hosted at the African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology (AiBST), Zimbabwe, the SPARK Africa Fellowship Program supports early-career scientists in advancing innovative research projects with the potential to address pressing health challenges across Africa. Through mentorship, training, and access to the global SPARK network, fellows gain valuable experience in translational research, innovation, and product development.

During their fellowship, the selected fellows will pursue projects focused on:

- Development of a diagnostic kit for the detection and prognosis of cervical cancer, aiming to improve early diagnosis and clinical outcomes for patients.

- Investigation of the ADMET properties of natural compounds with dual antimalarial and antibacterial activities, contributing to the discovery of safer and more effective therapeutics for infectious diseases.

Throughout the program, fellows will work closely with academic and industry mentors, strengthening their scientific, entrepreneurial, and professional skills while advancing technologies with real-world impact.

We congratulate Loïc and Ibrahim on their selection and look forward to following their progress as they transform promising research into solutions that can improve health outcomes across Africa.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to our reviewers, mentors, and partners whose continued support makes the SPARK Africa Fellowship Program possible.