This guest blog comes from Chris Deputy, CAMO-Net Communications Manager, who travelled to Kampala to exchange comms and public engagement knowledge with the team there.

Earlier this year, I travelled from Liverpool to Kampala to work with our friends at the Infectious Disease Institute (IDI), Makerere University, or as we know it, CAMO-Net Uganda, on everything CAMO-Net communications. This was funded by a CAMO-Net off-site placement grant, which was originally intended for travel to CAMO-Net South Africa (and I still will go there – their work with Eh!Woza is genuinely inspiring to me and I can’t wait to go back to Cape Town and learn from Tasha and her team). However, with timings and the priorities around building CAMO-Net communication capacity with Uganda’s Clare Kahuma, I went to Uganda instead.

Being a very sensitive and delicate young man, I tend to get sick on almost every trip I take, and this trip was no different. I’ve lost count of the times my infectious diseases colleagues in Liverpool have patched me up upon my return home. It’s almost like I take my job in this AMR world so seriously that I incubate harmful bacteria inside my body just to see if the antibiotics are still working, because I am a consummate and dedicated professional doing my bit to address AMR by putting my own body on the line. You are welcome society.

I’m not sure exactly what meal caused my latest malady. I really love the food in Uganda and I’ve eaten some incredible matoke in the past, especially when it’s partnered with delicious g-nut sauce. However, one day I ate some matoke that tasted like it had been found it in the bin three weeks prior and plated up with the carcass of a naked mole rat that had died from the plague last year and then exhumed from its pit of eternal doom just to be set afloat in a bowl of oily water drawn from the gutters of the Kisenyi slum. But being a polite gentleman and not wanting to cause any offence, I ate it all.

The next day, and every subsequent day of my placement, I spent slowly dying as a waterfall of dismay left my body. On the positive side, I had put on a few extra pounds over the Christmas period and so this was an excellent way to lose some of my unwanted winter fat. I’d like to publicly thank Dr Hope Mackline who came to my rescue with some medication that worked very quickly.

My malaise aside, Uganda was a great experience. It was my second time in the country (and yes, I got sick the first time too) and my favourite thing about it (apart from the matoke) is the people. Our colleagues at IDI are incredibly generous and friendly people, and are always ready to greet you with a smile and a warm embrace. We are very lucky that they also happen to be extraordinary scientists, researchers, clinicians, and administrators, so I learned a lot about how they operate at a world-class level in an environment with limited resources. I’m really proud to call the people at IDI my colleagues.

First on the agenda was a meeting with Dr Andrew Kambugu, CAMO-Net Uganda’s leader, to set our priorities. It was also my first experience of the aforementioned generosity of the Ugandan people. Andrew is an incredibly busy man, and I turned up almost 30 minutes late for our meeting – most people would have cancelled the meeting there and then, but luckily for me Andrew waited. I would have been on time of course if it hadn’t been for my extended tour of the Kampala traffic – my taxi driver took us to the wrong place initially, so we sat together in gridlocked traffic  for an hour talking about why Museveni is the only realistic option to lead the country. I didn’t argue with him. However, I ended up getting out of the taxi about a 15 minute walk away from the Makerere University campus and power walked through the intense humidity. After almost being killed three times by boda bodas driving the wrong way down a path only intended for pedestrians, I made it to our meeting, sweaty and discombobulated (but fortunately, alive).

Andrew and I spoke with Clare, Mackline, and Ellon Twinomuhwezi (our wonderful CAMO-Net Capacity Strengthening lead) about local priorities, and not just what we communicate, but why it matters in context. Discussions around the capacity strengthening website and wider communications approach quickly became practical sessions, with a shared focus on how tools and platforms can better reflect the scale and impact of work happening at CAMO-Net.

These are the things we worked on every day during my visit. Clare is doing some great work and together we’re improving our web and social media presence, highlighting the excellent work that all of our CAMO-Net colleagues from around the world are doing. Things, of course, were already very good (because I did them), but they will soon be getting even better (because Clare is helping). We were able to map out practical next steps, from strengthening social media consistency and planning to identifying more proactive storytelling opportunities that better reflect the depth and reach of activity across the network. Having that focused time together made a real difference, creating a clearer, shared direction that we can now build on.

A key part of the visit also involved working closely with communications colleagues at Makerere University. It’s very important to put on your underwear before you put on your trousers. In other words, the only way to get your external comms right is to get your internal comms working first. So, with this in mind, we brought together IDI comms and Makerere comms. One thing I’ve learned over my storied career is that if you offer people food, people will come. We were lucky to have attracted Makerere’s Deputy Chief of Public Relations to our meeting (a much more important Deputy than me) over brunch. We discussed how to raise awareness of what IDI does in Uganda, especially with CAMO-Net, and how we can use the strong comms network of Makerere University to amplify our own work.  These sessions were really useful in aligning approaches, understanding existing systems, and identifying where CAMO-Net activity could be more effectively embedded within institutional channels.

We also began developing a documentary-style video focused on one of CAMO-Net Uganda’s research projects. This included planning, scripting, and filming in the PK Lab, as well as capturing wider content across IDI and Makerere University. Working with the team on this brought together research, storytelling, and patient engagement in a way that felt both collaborative and purposeful. The video is currently in edit and should be ready soon!

Some of the most impactful moments for me personally though came from the engagement activities I attended. Meeting patients at the Mulago National Referral Hospital and hearing about their experiences will stay with me for a long time. Whilst there, I watched the IDI Drama team perform some comedy, music, dance, and drama for the patients to teach them about appropriate antibiotic use. It was a great experience, and seeing how engaged the patients were as they watched and learned was amazing. IDI’s work here is something we could all learn from – engaging people with context specific techniques. And context is incredibly important. If I went to my local hospital and danced to a drum as people waited to see a doctor, I’d probably end up as an inpatient on the mental health ward. But this style worked so well in this context. I think we could all learn from this, and each hub should get to work on developing their own contextual public engagement activities.

What stood out most during my time in Kampala was how well-connected and influential the Uganda team is nationally. There is a clear sense among the team that the work being led here is not only contributing to global conversations around antimicrobial resistance, but actively shaping approaches within the country. That makes collaboration across CAMO-Net both meaningful and necessary.

This placement reinforced the importance of investing in relationships, understanding context, and learning how to say no to food that you know is going to make you sick. This experience will continue to shape how I approach communications across the network moving forward.

CAMO-Net colleagues gathered in Timor-Leste recently, bringing together researchers and leaders to share progress, deepen collaboration, and strengthen locally led work addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The visit brought CAMO-Net lead Professor Alison Holmes, Head of Operations Kerri Hill-Cawthorne, and Brazil hub co-lead Professor Anna Levin together with the Timor-Leste team, led by Professor Nelson Martins. The meetings connected colleagues across hubs to learn from each other’s work and shape the future of the network collectively.

Highlighting locally led work in Timor-Leste

Across several days in Dili, CAMO-Net colleagues met with key national partners and institutions, including the Ministériu da Saúde, Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares (HNGV), Laboratory Nacional, Universidade da Paz (UNPAZ), and INSP-TL. Discussions focused on strengthening research partnerships, public health collaboration, and capacity development to support antimicrobial optimisation in Timor-Leste.

The team’s strong national relationships and respected leadership create real opportunities to help shape Timor-Leste’s health and research landscape, making collaboration across CAMO-Net incredibly impactful.

The team also had internal sessions with the Menzies Timor-Leste team to explore the country’s current AMR landscape, achievements to date, and ongoing challenges faced in Timor-Leste. Conversations highlighted locally led initiatives such as the introduction of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for key antibiotics – an important step in supporting responsible antibiotic use and strengthening antimicrobial stewardship across the healthcare system.

Professor Nelson Martins said, “Welcoming colleagues to Timor-Leste creates an opportunity to share the progress we are making locally while strengthening connections across CAMO-Net. Our work here is shaped by collaboration – learning together, adapting together, and building solutions that reflect our context.”

Strengthening collaboration across hubs

The visit provided valuable space for cross-hub exchange, enabling colleagues from different regions to share insights, discuss common challenges, and explore opportunities for future collaboration.

Professor Alison Holmes said, “CAMO-Net is built on partnership and mutual learning. Spending time together in Timor-Leste helps us understand local priorities more deeply while reinforcing that the network is shaped by the expertise and leadership of every hub.”

Professor Anna Sara Levin added, “The incredible work being undertaken by this young country is truly inspiring. There is a strong sense of forward momentum, with emerging leaders bringing a refreshing outlook to building infrastructure and shaping the future.”

A shared commitment moving forward

The gathering highlighted the central role of Timor-Leste within CAMO-Net and demonstrated how collaboration across hubs supports sustainable progress in addressing antimicrobial resistance. By bringing colleagues together around locally led work, the visit reflected the network’s commitment to shared leadership, partnership, and collective learning.

A reflection on travel as a form of education

In this guest blog, Andiswa Kona from CAMO-Net South Africa, reflects on her recent trip as part of our travel grant scheme.

For Early Career Researchers, travel is an essential form of education. I was very appreciative to receive a CAMO-Net Capacity Strengthening Travel Grant. The travel grant enabled me to attend the 10^th Regional Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Conference hosted by ReAct Africa and South Centre. The conference took place between the 11^th-12^th June 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia.I attended the sessions on the intersection of public policy, climate change and AMR. These sessions were pertinent to the policy work that we are doing as part of the CAMO-Net South Africa project. It was apparent that the role of researchers is essential in the policy-making process, and that there is a need for strategic research communication that reaches policymakers to ensure that research creates an impact.

Conferences are events that bring people from different cultures into one space, and that engaging with this diversity is not always easy, particularly if English is not everyone’s first language. This requires a level of understanding and grace towards others, because if one cannot speak English, it means that one must know another language. Speaking and understanding other languages, apart from English, should be acknowledged, and celebrated. Headphones were available for non-English speakers with live translation in their language of preference. For example, for people who come from French speaking countries.

Conferences are also spaces for reflection. Specifically, attendance at this conference allowed stakeholders in the AMR space to acknowledge the strides that they have made in talking about the global challenge of AMR. It was inspiring to engage with young researchers and community activists from Africa who are using creative and participatory methods to talk about AMR. In particular, there were sessions on how drawings, paintings and short story books are being used to talk about AMR in the African context. This highlighted the need to continue the conversation on youth and community engagement on different online platforms, so that information and knowledge can reach different populations.

During the conference, I had the privilege of attending the Youth and Community meeting with AMR leaders from across Africa. This meeting was facilitated by the ReAct Africa Youth Task Force. The goal of the meeting was to strengthen community and youth collaboration in AMR and cross-sectorial action for health. There were youth researchers, healthcare workers and community activists from Zambia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Uganda and other African countries were attended this meeting, and the conference the conference. It was an honour learn from young people active in community engagement on AMR. This helped me to reflect on how, in 2026, I hope to continue talking about youth community engagement in relation to AMR in South Africa. This travel grant helped me to reflect and learn whilst respecting how other Africans narrate their stories. It also motivated me to continue telling the South African story of AMR through youth community engagement.

Guest blog by: Phornpimon Tipthara

In June 2025, I had the opportunity to attend the CAMO-Net UK Meeting in London from 2–6 June, with support from the CAMO-Net Travel Grant. The meeting brought together CAMO-Net members from different countries and institutions, creating a valuable space for learning, sharing experiences, and building new connections across the network.

The main purpose of my participation was to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities for future research collaboration. During the meeting, I participated in group discussions, informal networking sessions, and side conversations with researchers and practitioners working across various CAMO-Net themes. These interactions helped me better understand the wide range of expertise within the network and how teams work in different contexts.
One of the most valuable aspects of the meeting was the open and friendly atmosphere. Conversations did not stop at formal sessions, but continued during breaks and social activities. This made it easy to share experiences, challenges, and ideas in a relaxed and supportive way. Through these discussions, I was able to build new professional relationships that I hope will grow into meaningful collaborations in the future.

The meeting also helped me gain a clearer understanding of CAMO-Net’s overall goals, structure, and long-term vision. Seeing how research activities across countries are connected through shared themes—such as technology innovation, context and behaviour, and medicines management—gave me a broader perspective on how my own work fits within the network.

I am based at the Mahidol Oxford Research Unit (MORU) in Thailand, which serves as one of CAMO-Net’s technology development centres, with a focus on clinical pharmacology. Thailand plays an important role in supporting technology innovation research within the network. Through existing partnerships with hospitals, laboratories, NGOs, and industry, our work contributes to strengthening research capacity and supporting context-specific solutions for antimicrobial optimisation. Attending the UK meeting helped me see new ways that Thailand and MORU can further contribute to CAMO-Net activities through collaboration, mentoring, and shared learning.

Overall, participating in the CAMO-Net UK Meeting was a very positive and motivating experience. It strengthened my connection to the network, expanded my professional network, and inspired a new research idea aligned with CAMO-Net’s objectives. I am grateful to CAMO-Net for the support and look forward to continuing collaboration to strengthen future research and capacity-building efforts across the network.

Guest blog by Patricia Nabisubi, CAMO-Net Uganda

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is often discussed in terms of policies, surveillance frameworks, and global strategies. Yet, in practice, the effectiveness of these efforts depends heavily on the people working behind the data, their skills, confidence, and ability to translate evidence into action. My recent hands-on AMR training in Ghana marked a defining moment in my work, fundamentally changing how I approach AMR research, analysis, and collaboration.

Before this training, my work was grounded in strong analytical concepts but often involved fragmented workflows. Data cleaning, analysis, and interpretation existed as separate steps rather than as a single, intentional process. During the training, this changed. Through sustained hands-on engagement with real AMR datasets, I developed a coherent, reproducible AMR analysis pipeline that integrates laboratory results, surveillance data, and epidemiological context in a structured manner.

This shift transformed my work from exploratory analysis to purpose-driven research. Instead of analysing data in isolation, I now design analyses with clear downstream use in mind, whether for surveillance reporting, antimicrobial stewardship discussions, or informing policy-relevant conversations. The pipeline I developed during the training is not just a technical output; it is a practical tool that will continue to evolve as my research progresses.

Equally transformative was the way the training reshaped my confidence as a researcher. Making analytical decisions in real time, understanding how those decisions shape conclusions, and communicating results clearly strengthened my sense of ownership over my work. AMR analysis moved from a collection of methods to a strategic instrument that can be adapted, shared, and scaled.
The training also expanded my work beyond individual effort by opening doors to regional collaboration. Engaging with researchers and staff from the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) created opportunities for meaningful technical exchange and shared learning. These interactions went beyond networking; they laid the foundation for future collaborations, joint research ideas, and cross-regional capacity building. Through these exchanges, my work became part of a broader scientific conversation rather than a standalone activity.

Perhaps the most lasting impact of the training was its reshaping of my research trajectory. It sparked new questions and possibilities: How can AMR analysis pipelines be harmonised across countries? How can data better support stewardship decisions in resource-limited settings? How do we move from isolated excellence to sustained regional capacity? These questions now actively guide my current and future research.

This training did not simply add skills to my toolbox; it reframed how I work. It connected data to decision-making, individual effort to collective impact, and present activities to future collaborations. What began as a training experience has become the starting point for a new phase of my work, one defined by stronger analytical foundations, deeper partnerships, and research designed from the outset to matter.

Guest blog by: Tosin Senbadejo

As part of my training as a PhD Fellow at the West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, I was privileged to participate in an off-site placement at the IDI Research Lab, Makerere University, in Kampala, Uganda. This placement was made possible through a CAMONET Uganda Offsite placement grant, awarded to me in October 2024. The placement provided an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in immunology techniques -particularly PBMC isolation, co-culture, and flow cytometry, which I applied to study immune responses to persister and non-persister cells of E. coli and M. morganii.

Learning Immunology Through Practical Experience

During the placement, I worked at the Immunology Laboratory under the Makerere Research Center (MakBRC), where I gained both practical experience and a deeper technical understanding of immunological and cellular assays. Following laboratory orientation, I was introduced to Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) isolation and cryopreservation. Although I had often heard about PBMC isolation, this was my first time experiencing the process firsthand, isolating cells from blood using gradient separation. My first impression was excellent, and I was eager to dive deeper into the work. I practiced PBMC isolation before proceeding to the bacterial co-culture experiments involving PBMCs and persister cells. I worked in the Microbiology Laboratory at the Infectious Diseases Institute for bacterial culturing and the antibiotic tolerance assay. After optimizing the PBMC & bacteria co-culture, the cell cultures were processed for flow cytometry using specific antibodies. I learned about the principles of flow cytometry and was introduced to its practical application, including data acquisition and analysis.

Experiencing Ugandan Culture, Food, and Landmarks

Beyond laboratory training, the placement also provided an opportunity to experience life in Kampala, Uganda. Being my first time in East Africa, I quickly noticed how different the food was from what I was used to. One thing that stood out was how affordable the meals were and how well-balanced the typical diet is. Matooke became my absolute favorite dish during my stay. And of course, experiencing the boda boda (the fast, agile motorcycle taxis) was something I’ll never forget. I explored local landmarks such as the Source of the River Nile in Jinja and Lake Victoria, where I enjoyed water sports like water biking and took a guided paddle boat ride. I engaged with the community, learning about the culture and day-to-day life in the city.

Gratitude and Reflections

The CAMONET off-site placement was an invaluable experience that enhanced my technical skills, scientific understanding, and personal growth. I’m grateful to my mentors and trainers at MakBRC (Dr Rose, Francis, and team), the Central Laboratory staff (Evely, George Katende, and team) for their guidance and support throughout this journey.

The CAMONET team created a collaborative and enriching learning environment. Special thanks to the CAMONET team- particularly Ellon, for facilitating my placement, and Fiona, for ensuring I felt welcomed and supported throughout my stay. I am especially grateful to my supervisor, Dr. Abiola Isawumi, who encouraged me to apply for this placement, and to WACCBIP for being part of the CAMONET hubs.

I am truly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to applying the skills and knowledge gained to my future research endeavors.

Guest blog by Zelia Maria Marques Freitas, Research Nurse – CAMO-Net Timor Lesté

I am thrilled to share my experience attending the International AMR Nextt 2025 Conference held from November 29–30, 2025, followed by Centres for Antimicrobial Optimisation Network (CAMO-Net) meeting at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad India, from December 1–5, 2025. This journey was made possible through the incredible support of the CAMO-Net Travel Grant, a truly transformative opportunity for my professional career as a Research Nurse specializing in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

Receiving this Travel Grant was a profound Honor. Beyond easing the logistical and accommodation challenges of international travel, it served as a powerful validation of the research our team is conducting on Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) at Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares (HNGV), and our efforts to optimize antibiotic use from primary to tertiary healthcare levels. I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the CAMO-Net team for their unwavering commitment to capacity building and fostering global collaboration.

As a first-time attendee, I was immediately thrust into a world of brilliant minds dedicated to solving the global crisis of AMR. It was inspiring to see how they strategize to optimize Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) implementation and develop National Action Plans for healthcare professionals worldwide. The meeting was intensive and highly productive, allowing us to witness project advancements from various global hubs, with particularly impressive highlights from Malawi, Pakistan, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, UK, and India.

At the AMR Conference, our team presented a poster and an oral presentation titled: “The Patterns of Utilization of Glycopeptide and Aminoglycoside in Clinical Settings from Six Timor-Leste Hospitals, 2025: Findings from a Prospective Descriptive Study.” We received invaluable feedback from leading experts. I am incredibly proud to share that our abstract was ranked in the Top 3 of the conference!

Additionally, our team member, Agata, received the Outstanding Oral Presentation award, a moment that deeply motivated me to keep growing in my research career, and I feel more motivated than ever to advance my academic career. I am currently seeking opportunities to pursue a master’s and eventually a PhD to deepen my impact on AMR research. We engaged in thematic sessions covering critical topics such as the sustained availability of affordable, quality antibiotics, healthcare improvement tools, supply chain challenges, and ensuring effective Point of Care Testing (POCT) in low-resource settings. These practical sessions equipped me with new skills that I am eager to apply in my daily work.

The most priceless part of the trip was interacting directly with fellow researchers from 13 CAMO-Net hubs across 11 countries. Sharing challenges and successes face-to-face and even engaging in informal discussions often sparks the most innovative collaborative ideas. I had the Honor of meeting giants in the field, including Prof. Alison (a leading AMR expert in the Fleming Initiative), Dr. Candace, Prof. Silvia, and Dr. Andrew, all of whom are truly inspiring. And I hope in the future our team can have more collaborative projects opportunities with the experts

This meeting reinforced my belief that fighting AMR is a global struggle that requires synergy across borders. I return to the Menzies School of Health Research Timor-Leste with a renewed spirit and several key goals:

1. Implementing New Insights: Integrating the methods and strategies learned during the workshops into our ongoing projects.
2. Strengthening Partnerships: Organizing knowledge-sharing sessions and Point of Care training for my fellow nurses at HNGV to broaden the horizons of my team and colleagues.

The support from the CAMO-Net Travel Grant has transformed a professional trip into a major milestone in my career. I highly recommend that my fellow CAMO-Net colleagues take advantage of the grant opportunities available. It is a vital investment in the future of research and global capacity building for antimicrobial
optimization.

Thank you, CAMO-Net. I eagerly look forward to our next meeting and our continued collaboration!

Guest blog by: Allan Kengo

With the CAMO-Net travel award, I had the opportunity of presenting the results of our work at the PAGE2025 Conference in Thessaloniki, Greece. Set along the Aegean Sea, Thessaloniki offered a breathtaking backdrop for the 2025 edition of a conference that brought together scientists and practitioners from across the global pharmacometrics and modeling community.

My participation in PAGE2025 included presenting a poster titled “Pharmacogenetics-guided-isoniazid-dosing-in-individuals-with-tuberculosis-and-HIV.” Our work focused on the application of pharmacogenetic information to optimize isoniazid dosing in individuals with co-existing tuberculosis and HIV, highlighting the role of model-informed precision dosing in improving treatment outcomes in complex clinical populations. The poster presentation stimulated valuable discussions and feedback from conference participants, contributing to the refinement of the work and its potential future applications.

The conference provided an excellent opportunity to learn from and share experiences with the international pharmacometrics and modeling community. Through plenary sessions, parallel scientific talks, and poster discussions, I gained insights into current methodological advances and real-world applications of modeling and simulation across different therapeutic areas and settings. Interactions with researchers from diverse institutions reinforced the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange in advancing quantitative clinical pharmacology.

In addition to the scientific program, the conference setting in Thessaloniki offered a conducive environment for networking and reflection. The city’s rich cultural heritage and welcoming atmosphere complemented the academic experience and facilitated informal interactions among participants.

I am sincerely grateful to Camo-net for sponsoring my travel and participation in PAGE2025!

Guest blog by: Tosin Senbadejo, a PhD student at the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana.

I was awarded a CAMO-Net Travel Grant to attend ASM Microbe 2025, the annual conference of the American Society for Microbiology. The conference brought together leading microbiologists and infectious disease researchers from around the world to discuss recent advances in microbiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). During the conference, she presented a poster entitled “Genomic Insights and Expression Profiling of Alkali-tolerant and Thermotolerant Escherichia coli Isolated from Ghanaian Hospitals.” The presentation generated thoughtful discussions with senior scientists, experts, and fellow graduate students, who provided constructive feedback and raised questions that opened new avenues for future research and collaboration.

ASM Microbe 2025 featured high-level scientific sessions on antimicrobial drugs and resistance mechanisms, novel approaches to infection diagnosis and treatment, and the application of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles to optimize antibiotic use. Attendance at several AMR-focused sessions exposed her to emerging tools such as meta-transcriptomics in resistance profiling, genomics-driven antimicrobial discovery, and microbial metabolism–based diagnostic approaches. These insights will be incorporated into her ongoing research.

In addition to the scientific sessions, the conference provided valuable networking opportunities. She connected with researchers working on related AMR topics and exchanged contacts for potential collaborations aligned with her long-term goal of pursuing a postdoctoral research position. She also participated in the ASM Future Leaders Mentorship Networking Power Hour, where she engaged in discussions on postdoctoral opportunities and received practical guidance on career development.

Reflecting on the experience, she noted that attending and presenting at ASM Microbe 2025 significantly contributed to her academic and professional growth by strengthening her research communication skills, expanding her scientific network, and reinforcing the importance of aligning research with global health challenges. She expressed sincere gratitude to CAMO-Net for the travel grant support, which was instrumental in enabling her participation and in providing international visibility for her research. She also acknowledged WACCBIP, University of Ghana, her PhD advisors, and her research group for their continuous support.