Championing Women Researchers
Dr. Josiane Honkpehedji
Dr. Josiane Honkpehedji is from the Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon.
research background
I am a medical doctor specialising in tropical infectiology and vaccinology. I have a master’s degree in these fields and a diploma in methods and practices in epidemiology and statistics. My main area of research is parasitic infections during pregnancy, particularly their impact on maternal and child health in sub-Saharan Africa. Working at CERMEL in Lambaréné, Gabon, I have developed comprehensive skills in managing research projects involving clinical and epidemiological methods. My work consists of assessing the burden of parasitic infections through both clinical care and laboratory research. I am currently a PhD student at Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases at the LUMC. My research focuses on the immunological and glycobiological aspects of parasitic infections in pregnant women and their offspring, with the goal of understanding the mechanisms underlying susceptibility to infection in offspring of infected mothers. This work is critical to advancing global health initiatives, particularly in the control of parasitic diseases in endemic regions.
Current research activities
I am developing a combination of advanced laboratory and epidemiological skills essential for my research on parasitic infections during pregnancy. I have learnt immunological techniques to study immune cells from newborns and children of infected mothers, focusing on isolating cells, analysing, and understanding their function in relation to parasitic infections with support from others. I am gaining knowledge in glycobiology, studying how glycans produced by immune cells contribute to mechanisms of susceptibility to parasitic infections in children of infected mothers. I have expanded my epidemiological study design and data analysis skills to investigate the population-level impact of parasitic infections during pregnancy. This includes cohort studies to track infection prevalence, maternal health outcomes, and child development in Lambaréné. I have learnt statistical methods to interpret large-scale epidemiological data and assess risk factors, transmission dynamics, and health outcomes across different population groups. Finally, I am improving my skills in managing and collaborating on interdisciplinary research projects, notably between CERMEL and LUMC. This involves coordinating between clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological teams, ensuring smooth communication and data-sharing across these fields.
Future research activities
The immunological techniques I am acquiring can be directly applied to understanding how vaccines stimulate immune responses in individuals, particularly those with prior parasitic infections. By analysing immune cell responses post-vaccination, I could investigate whether parasitic infections alter vaccine efficacy or influence the development of protective immunity. Understanding these mechanisms could help to identify populations at higher risk for vaccine failure or those who may benefit from booster doses or alternative vaccine strategies. My glycobiology research will enable me to explore how glycans affect vaccine efficacy. This could lead to strategies for improving vaccine formulations or delivery in populations burdened by parasitic diseases. All skills gained during my research will enhance my ability to perform epidemiological studies and vaccine clinical trials. I could help inform guidelines on vaccination strategies for pregnant women, newborns, and children, aiming to enhance immune protection while considering the challenge posed by parasitic infections.