Fifteen outstanding departments at universities in 9 countries across the globe have been chosen to receive scientific equipment through the 2020 Instrumental Access program.
Through Instrumental Access, Seeding Labs makes high-quality laboratory equipment and supplies available to university departments and research institutes in developing countries.
Our goal is to help create sustainable scientific infrastructure that increases research capacity and empowers every scientist to change the world.
The 15 awardees chosen for our 2020 Instrumental Access program were hand-picked from a pool of 58 applications received from 20 countries—underscoring the global need for scientific infrastructure.
During a rigorous vetting process, each applicant outlined the ways that an infusion of lab equipment would remove barriers to STEM education and research at their institution.
“Our 2020 Instrumental Access awardees were selected for their potential to solve problems and change lives through science,” says Christina Viola Srivastava, Director of Programs at Seeding Labs. “We welcome them to our Instrumental Access network and look forward to working with each awardee to strengthen their infrastructure.”
The 2020 Instrumental Access awardees are:
From South Asia
- Jagannath University: Department of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology; Dhaka, Bangladesh
From East Africa
- Addis Ababa University: Center for Innovative Drug Development & Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa); Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Mkwawa University College of Education: Department of Chemistry; Iringa, Tanzania
- Sokoine University of Agriculture: Department of Veterinary Physiology, Biochemistry & Pharmacology; Morogoro, Tanzania
From Southern Africa
- Bindura University of Science Education: Department of Science & Mathematics Education; Bindura, Zimbabwe
- Midlands State University: Department of Chemical Technology; Gweru, Zimbabwe
- University of Namibia: Department of Biological Sciences; Windhoek, Namibia
From West Africa
- Ashesi University: Department of Engineering; Accra, Ghana
- Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (formerly Ondo State University of Science & Technology): Department of Biological Sciences; Okitipupa, Nigeria
- Umaru Musa Yar’adua University: Faculty of Natural & Applied Sciences; Katsina, Nigeria
- Université d’Abomey-Calavi: Department of Human Biology; Cotonou, Benin
- University of Benin: Centre of Excellence in Reproductive Health Innovation; Benin City, Nigeria
- University of Energy & Natural Resources: Department of Chemical Sciences; Sunyani, Ghana
- University of Mines & Technology: Department of Minerals Engineering; Tarkwa, Ghana
- University of Port Harcourt: Department of Plant Science & Biotechnology; Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Here’s a special message for you from our 2020 Instrumental Access awardees:
Instrumental Access expands critical infrastructure that enables scientists to develop solutions to the most critical challenges facing their communities and the world, including:
- Deploying effective responses to emerging public health threats, like COVID-19;
- Confronting non-communicable and infectious diseases, such cancer and malaria;
- Ensuring that food supplies remain stable in a changing climate; and
- Innovating to power developing economies while safeguarding the environment and public health.
The equipment being shipped to the 2020 Instrumental Access awardees is expected to give hands-on opportunities to more than 9,700 students and accelerate research for 475 faculty members—and likely many others from across these universities!
“Every instrument you donate will bring hope to students and staff and bring us closer to the international scientific arena. It will open the doors to great potential,” says Dilara Sharif, PhD, head of the Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at Jagannath University in Bangladesh, a 2020 Instrumental Access awardee—and the first from Bangladesh.
Equipment will support research and education across agriculture, biology, chemistry, engineering, and more. Access to modern lab instrumentation is essential for preparing the next generation of scientists, healthcare workers, engineers, farmers, educators, policymakers, and community leaders.
“It’s critical that all scientists around the world have the tools they need to solve problems that impact us all,” says Melissa P. Wu, PhD, CEO of Seeding Labs. “We are grateful to our partners for donating funding and surplus scientific equipment that will ensure these Instrumental Access scientists and students can achieve their visions for the future.”
In the weeks ahead, we’ll be introducing you to each of our awardees—so stay tuned! And thank you for joining us in empowering every scientist to transform the world.
