Makerere University don Dr. Alice Nabatanzi has beaten other African scientists to qualify for a fellowship under the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
Dubbed Early Career Research Leader Fellowship, the program received applications from across the continent and after three rounds of assessment by experts, Dr. Nabatanzi’s proposal stood out, reads an official statement.
The Fellowship, which focuses on understanding Africa’s bio-economy, accepts applicants at a Postdoctoral level from prestigious universities and research institutions, including among others African Humanities Program, Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA), University of Cape Town, University of Ghana and Makerere University.
The institutions that participate in the program are linked to networks and initiatives supported by Carnegie Corporation New York.
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Dr. Alice Nabatanzi is a lecturer in the Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology at College of Natural Science (CONAS), Makerere University (Mak).
Dr. Nabatanzi’s research will focus on: “Bio-Sources of Oxytocin” in response to the high maternal mortality rate in Africa due to stalled labour and uterine atony (failure of placenta ejection after birth), according to a statement on Mak website.
Stalled labour can result in low oxygen levels for the baby leading to stillbirths and uterine rupture resulting in maternal death due to postpartum hemorrhage. In both aforementioned scenarios, the problem is inadequate uterine contractions calling for the use of uterotonics like Oxytocin.
This research will entail the search for bio-sources of Oxytocin to improve affordability, sustainability, accessibility and build a bio-economy.
About Dr. Alice Nabatanzi
In 2017, Dr. Alice Nabatanzi earned her doctorate in Natural Products, [Phytochemistry and Nutraceuticals] at Makerere University’s College of Natural Sciences. She was 29 at the time.
Before enrolling for a Ph.D. course, Nabatanzi studied Ethnobotany for her bachelor’s degree and Natural Products Technology and Value Chains for masters.
Dr. Nabatanzi, who has been recognized by institutions like Carnegie Co-operation of New York and the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF), went to Gayazi High School for ‘O’ Level and Ndejje Secondary School for ‘A’ Level.
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