Sandra
Musujusu a female student of the African University of Science and Technology,
Abuja, has developed an alternative treatment for breast cancer.
The scientific breakthrough might lead to a lasting solution in the treatment
of breast cancer prevalent among women world over.
This
was made known on Tuesday in Abuja when the World Bank Education Director, Dr
Jaime Saavedra Chanduvi with his team visited the University as part of his
assessment tour of the 10 African Centres of Excellence (ACE) centres.
The
World Bank has committed about $10 billion for the ACE project in Nigeria, as
part of efforts to encourage conduct of cutting-edge research and specialisation
of the beneficiaries institutions in specific development problems faced in
Nigeria and indeed the African continent.
AUST
is hosting one of the Centres of Excellence, known as Pan African Material
Institute (PAMI), with research focus electrical power, disease detection and
treatment.
Musujusu’s
research, using macromolecular science is aimed at developing bio-degradable
polymer material which could be used as alternative for the treatment of breast
cancer in the near future.
According
to Musujusu, her research focuses on triple negative breast cancer which is the
aggressive sub-type of breast cancer that is common with women from African
ancestry.
Musujusu,
a Sierra-Leonian national is conducting the research under the sponsorship of
the Pan African Materials Institute (PAMI).
Out
of 19 African Centres of Excellence, 10 Nigerian tertiary institutions won
slots to churn out special research works that could compete effectively with
global standards.
The
ACE universities include Redeemers University, Mowe; Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria; University of Jos, Jos; University of Benin and African University of
Science and Technology, Abuja.
Others
are University of Port-Harcourt; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife; Bayero
University, Kano; Benue State University, Makurdi; and Federal University of
Agriculture, Abeokuta.
It
would be recalled that when the Ebola Virus Disease broke out in Nigeria in the
year 2014, one of the ACE centres, Redeemers University served as the testing
site before it was brought under control.
Musujusu
said, “My research is actually centred on the development of bio-degradable
polymers for treatment of breast cancer.”
“I
will be focusing on triple negative breast cancer which is actually the
aggressive sub-
type of breast cancer that is common with women from African
ancestry.”
“I
believe there is a bright future for Africa, and as a woman there is much more
we can do if we are empowered. This award given to me by PAMI has empowered me
to face my studies with more confidence and actually contribute to the frontier
of knowledge and move Africa forward.”
Labels: Campus News
