Coinciding with the start of the new academic year, the Sant Cugat Campus has welcomed Dr Ijeoma Uzoma, researcher at the Molecular Haematology Unit of Medical Laboratory Science, part of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology at the University of Nigeria Nsukka. Dr Uzoma has received a Guadalupe Grant, which is awarded each year by the Harambee project, and for the next six months she will become part of the New Cyclins Research Group led by Dr Josep Clotet.

“I chose to come to UIC Barcelona because of the institution’s strong research culture and modern facilities featuring advanced technology”, explained Dr Uzoma. “Being part of the group led by Dr Clotet will allow me to acquire transferable knowledge in molecular and cellular biology, as well as new techniques that I can apply to my own research when I return home.”

Uzoma, who was planning to start her stay in March 2020 but had to postpone it due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is one of the researchers recognised with a Guadalupe Grant. Organised by the Harambee project for solidarity, the main objective of this aid programme is to promote leadership among African scientists so they can expand their knowledge and discover new fields of research that contribute to their countries’ development. As Dr Uzoma points out, “receiving this grant is a wonderful opportunity for me to contribute to the progress of scientific research in oncology at my university.”

Committed to the teaching of other young researchers and eager to contribute to the growth of research and scientific progress, UIC Barcelona signed a cooperation agreement with the Harambee project in 2019.