Dr. Solomon Jacob | Parasitology | Best Researcher Award

Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria.

Dr. Solomon Monday Jacob (JSM) is a seasoned Medical Parasitologist and a Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist at the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria. He serves as the Technical Lead for the National Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis Control Programme, playing a pivotal role in expanding Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) control in Nigeria. With vast experience in malaria, onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, and NTD research, he has contributed significantly to disease prevention strategies. He has published numerous research papers and collaborates with global organizations on healthcare innovations.

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🎓 Education

Dr. Solomon Jacob holds a PhD in Medical Laboratory Science with a specialization in Medical Parasitology. His academic journey has equipped him with in-depth knowledge of infectious diseases, epidemiology, and diagnostic techniques. In addition to his doctorate, he has undergone extensive training in Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control programs, focusing on strategies for disease surveillance, prevention, and treatment. His expertise in disease epidemiology has enabled him to contribute significantly to public health initiatives, research projects, and policy development aimed at reducing the burden of NTDs in Nigeria and beyond.

🏢 Professional Experience

Dr. Solomon Jacob is a dedicated Program Officer for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) at the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria, where he plays a crucial role in formulating and implementing national disease control strategies. As a Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist, he leads technical initiatives for the Schistosomiasis & Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis Control Programme, focusing on innovative approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and eradication efforts.

Beyond his government role, Dr. Jacob serves as a Researcher and Consultant, contributing to significant projects on Malaria, Onchocerciasis, Lymphatic Filariasis, and other NTDs. His work involves operational research, policy advisory, and capacity building to strengthen disease surveillance and control measures. Additionally, he is an Editorial Board Member for renowned scientific journals such as PLoS NTD and Elsevier, furthering his impact in global health research.

🔬 Research Interests

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) 🦠

Schistosomiasis & Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis 🏥

Malaria & Vector-Borne Diseases 🦟

Onchocerciasis & Lymphatic Filariasis 🏨

Public Health & Disease Control Strategies

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Recognized for strategic contributions to NTD control in Nigeria

Lead researcher in multiple operational health projects

Editorial Appointments with PLoS NTD, Elsevier

📚 Selected Publications

Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis Among School-Age Children: Impact of 3–5 Annual Rounds of Mass Drug Administration in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria
🗓 2025-03-23 | Journal article | 📖 Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
🔗 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed10040085
👥 Contributors: Solomon Monday Jacob, Jan-Carel Diehl, Gleb Vdovine, Temitope Agbana, Samuel Popoola, Satyajith Jujjavarapu, David Bell, Akande Oladimeji Ajayi, Joseph O. Fadare, Adebowale F. Akinwumi et al.

Impact of Preventive Chemotherapy on the Prevalence of Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis Among School-Age Children After 3–5 Effective Rounds of Annual Mass Drug Administration in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria
🗓 2025-01-27 | Preprint
🔗 DOI: 10.20944/preprints202501.1916.v1
👥 Contributors: Solomon Monday Jacob, Jan-Carel Diehl, Gleb Vdovine, Temitope Agbana, Samuel Popoola, Satyajith Jujjavarapu, David Bell, Oladimeji Ajayi, Joseph O. Fadare, Adebowale F. Akinwumi et al.

Impact of Praziquantel Mass Drug Administration after Several Rounds on Schistosomiasis Among School-Aged Children in Abuja, Nigeria
🗓 2025-01-22 | Preprint
🔗 DOI: 10.20944/preprints202501.1625.v1
👥 Contributors: Solomon Monday Jacob, Sophie Y. Akinbo, Akinola Stephen Oluwole, Temitope Agbana, Zainab Omoruyi, Michael A. Okungbowa, Diehl Jan-Carel, Fredrick O. Akinbo

Community Mobilisation for Human Sample Collection in Sensitive Communities: Experiences from Granular Mapping of Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Ekiti State, South West, Nigeria
🗓 2024-10-25 | Journal article | 📖 Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
🔗 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9110255
👥 Contributors: Temitope Agbana, Omolade Omotade, Moses Aderogba, David Bell, Jacob Solomon, Saheed Animashaun, Peace Alabi, Oladimeji Ajayi, Adebowale Akinwumi, Samuel Popoola et al.

Community Mobilisation for Human Sample Collection in Sensitive Communities: Experiences from Granular Mapping of Schistosomiasis & Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Ekiti State, Nigeria
🗓 2024-09-16 | Preprint
🔗 DOI: 10.20944/preprints202409.1200.v1
👥 Contributors: Temitope Agbana, Omolade Omotade, Moses Aderogba, David Bell, Jacob Solomon, Saheed Animashaun, Peace Alabi, Oladimeji Ajayi, Adebowale Akinwumi, Samuel Popoola et al.

Dr. Hygon Mutavhatsindi | Infectious Diseases | Best Researcher Award

Specialist Scientist, SAMRC, South Africa.

Hygon Mutavhatsindi is a Specialist Scientist at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) with a robust background in biochemistry, molecular biology, and immunology. His research explores infectious diseases, particularly tuberculosis (TB), HIV, and COVID-19, using molecular and immunological techniques. Dr. Mutavhatsindi has made significant contributions to immunology and TB research, aiming to identify non-sputum biomarkers to improve TB diagnosis and treatment outcomes. His work has earned him national and international recognition, alongside numerous grants and awards.

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Education 🎓

Dr. Hygon Mutavhatsindi began his academic journey at the University of Venda, where he earned a BSc in Biochemistry and Biology (2009-2012), followed by an Honours degree in Biochemistry in 2013. He continued to pursue advanced studies at the same institution, obtaining an MSc in Biochemistry (2014-2015). His passion for molecular biology led him to Stellenbosch University, where he completed his PhD in Molecular Biology (2016-2019). During his doctoral studies, Dr. Mutavhatsindi focused on cutting-edge research, contributing to scientific advancements in his field.

Following his PhD, Dr. Mutavhatsindi undertook a prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowship in Immunology at the University of Cape Town (2020-2023). During this period, he deepened his expertise in immunological research, working on projects that explored the intricate mechanisms of immune response. His postdoctoral work not only advanced his academic credentials but also positioned him at the forefront of immunological science, further strengthening his research profile and contributing to ongoing scientific discussions in molecular biology and immunology.

Experience 💼

Dr. Hygon Mutavhatsindi currently serves as a Specialist Scientist at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), a role he began in February 2024. In this position, he leads research efforts in tuberculosis (TB) and immunology, supervises postgraduate students, and manages multiple research projects. Prior to this, he was a Scientific Officer at the Cape Town HVTN Immunology Laboratory (May 2023–January 2024), where he conducted clinical studies and flow cytometry experiments, contributing to crucial immunological research.

Before taking on these roles, Dr. Mutavhatsindi completed a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Cape Town (February 2020–January 2023), where his work focused on TB and COVID-19 immunology. His academic journey began as a PhD Researcher at Stellenbosch University (June 2016–December 2019), where he specialized in identifying TB biomarkers and evaluating treatment responses, building a strong foundation for his later contributions to immunology and infectious disease research.

Research Interests 🔬

TB Biomarkers: Focuses on identifying reliable biomarkers for tuberculosis diagnosis and monitoring treatment efficacy.

Non-Sputum Diagnostic Methods: Investigates blood- and saliva-based biomarkers to develop non-sputum diagnostic alternatives for TB, making diagnosis easier in low-resource settings.

Immunological Responses: Studies the immune system’s response to infectious diseases, with an emphasis on TB, HIV, and COVID-19.

Infectious Disease Immunology: Explores the interactions between pathogens and host immune responses to enhance understanding of disease progression and treatment outcomes.

TB Treatment Monitoring: Aims to develop new methods for tracking patient progress during TB treatment through biomarker discovery.

Cross-Disease Immunology: Compares immune responses across different infectious diseases, seeking common biomarkers and pathways for broader diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Awards 🏆

Awards and Grants:

UCT CIDRI-Africa Postdoctoral Fellowship (2020-2022)

Fogarty HIV-Associated TB Training Program (2020-2022)

NRF Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021-2022)

SAMRC Doctoral Internship Scholarship (2017-2019)

NRF PhD and Masters Scholarships

Publications Top Notes 📚

Validation and optimisation of host immunological bio-signatures for a point-of-care test for TB disease – Front. Immunol., 2021. link

Identification of novel salivary candidate protein biomarkers for tuberculosis diagnosis – Tuberculosis, 2021. link

Protocol to quantify and phenotype SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response – Star Protocols, 2022. link

Blood and site of disease inflammatory profiles in HIV-1-infected pericardial tuberculosis patients – OFID, 2023. link

Application of cerebrospinal fluid host protein biosignatures in the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis in children – Mediators of Inflammation, 2019. link