Young Motswana woman receives int’l science award
First recipient of the Charles Boucher Award demonstrates excellent scientific research in Botswana
Ayoung Motswana woman, Bonolo Phinius has been awarded the Charles Boucher Award for Excellence in Science.
The international award was established to recognise earlycareer scientists and to give them exposure to present their work in some of the best scientific conferences in the world.
The 29 year- old who hails from Bobonong, is an aspiring scientist who has always wanted to contribute somehow to the health of people.
“As a child I did not know how exactly, and fortunately I found my passion in research, and through if I could investigate the burden of diseases, how they progress and hopefully influence health policies in my country,” she tells Botswana
Guardian.
Phinius obtained her BSc Biological Sciences degree from the University of Botswana after which she volunteered briefly at the Botswana Vaccine Institute.
She was offered an internship in 2016 at the Botswana Harvard AIDS Partnership ( BHP) where she trained and is still training in various technical skills.
“I was fortunate to be awarded the Chevening Scholarship in 2018 to pursue an MSc in Medical Biosciences at the University of Bradford ( UK).
“Upon completion I returned to BHP to continue research on viral hepatitis and set- up capacity for SARS- CoV- 2 testing at the start of the COVID- 19 pandemic.
“Through support from my supervisors here at BHP, I registered for a PhD in Medical Sciences with the University of Botswana in 2021 and I am currently working on my studies among other responsibilities.”
Currently at the BHP, Phinius is working on her research project as most of her laboratory work is at BHP. She also works closely with undergraduate students and interns, training them in laboratory skills and other soft skills.
She is also part of the viral hepatitis research group that raises awareness on viruses through research and engagements with the Ministry of Health. Her project studies Hepatitis B virus ( HBV) in 30 rural and peri- urban commu
nities in Botswana, basically to study the burden of the virus in these communities that are often understudied.
The virus, according to Phinius, causes liver disease and if left untreated can even result in liver cancer. In addition, she will be looking into the HBV variants that are circulating in these communities to better understand how patients can be managed.
This is the largest HBV study to be conducted in Botswana. It will bring awareness to the public in different parts of Botswana about HBV.
“Results of this study will also inform the Ministry of Health on areas that are highly affected to encourage targeted interventions in these areas hence bringing about evidence- based policies from data specific to Batswana”.
The Charles Boucher Award is named after Professor Charles Boucher who was a leader of high repute in virology research who was passionate about capacitating early career scientists.
“To be the first recipient of this award in his tribute is an honour,” Phinius said.
With the prestigious award, Phinius will be able to further her knowledge in Bioinformatics, a much- needed skill in Botswana that can be applied to study other viruses, their progression in the population and can be applied to future pandemics.
“I will apply the skills in my PhD work and further more impart the knowledge to colleagues at BHP and other institutions,” she said, adding that she will also impart skills to the students that she is mentoring.
Through interactions with students, Phinius helps them develop their final year research projects, reviewing their research projects proposals and giving feedback, encouraging assertiveness and confidence in their work, as well as sharing opportunities for advancing their education such as scholarships and guiding them through those processes. As a young Motswana woman, her mantra for young women is that, “yes, it is possible.”
“I encourage them to be persistent in their pursuit to achieve their goals. One very important thing that has greatly impacted my career is having tremendously supportive mentors and so I encourage students I work with to identify and not be afraid to approach people that will guide them through their studies and careers in any field.”
Phinius’ mentors at BHP are Dr.. Simani Gaseitsewe, Dr Motswedi Anderson and Dr. Sikhulile Moyo.
Dr. Gaseitsewe, a Virologist at BHP and Research Associate at Harvard T. H. School of Public Health, believes that this is a great achievement for Phinius at an individual level, as it attests to the calibre of a research scientist she is.
“The award was competed for globally, so for her to be the first recipient of the award shows that she is a top notch researcher. The award also talks of the research environment that Bonolo operates in at BHP and at UB. Also that the research environment is conducive to high quality research,” Dr Gaseitsiwe said. He added that the award is also a positive indicator that Botswana has the capacity to develop award- winning researchers who are globally competitive. There is also capacity in Botswana to develop scientists who can excel and as such there should be more support to ensure that other younger Batswana can be future Phinius’ who can carry out award winning research which will benefit not only the country but the global community. BHP Research Associate/ Welcome Fellow, Dr Motswedi Anderson said she is privileged to be among Phinius’ supervisors at BHP.
“The Charles Boucher is a prestigious award. For Phinius to win it is testament to her quality of work and dedication in striving for excellence and her hard work as a candidate,” she said.
Dr. Anderson added that the award not only increases the visibility of BHP, but also highlights the excellent scientific research conducted in Botswana.
“Furthermore this award shows that our candidates are at par with the rest of the world in the science field. This also sets out work as a benchmark as this is the first award of its kind internationally. As a young woman in Science, Phinius is an inspiration to other aspiring women globally.”
Another mentor, Dr. Moyo said it gives him fulfilment to see Phinius get this award, which is received by incredibly talented scientists with enormous ambition within the HIV and Hepatitis clinical virology. “She is an example that investing in capacity building right here at home in Botswana will return great rewards to innovation and the scientific discovery that can transform the world,” he said.
Dr. Mayo added that Phinius is one of the most dedicated young scientists who helped establish SARS- VOV- 2 capacity at BPH.
“It is a privilege to be in her mentoring team from BPH and University of Botswana Faculty of Health Sciences”.
For his part, BHP CEO, Dr Joseph Makhema said the award is a tremendous achievement. “It demonstrates the enormous potential and capacity that young Batswana scientists have in advancing the scientific agenda to strengthen public health responses to significant local, regional and global public health threats.
“It is more pleasing that she is female from what traditionally has been a male- dominated sphere of influence and institutionally aligned to BHP’s strategic objectives for training and capacity building.”