Wilfred Ndifon
Wilfred Ndifon
Wilfred Ndifon, the Director of Research for the AfricanInstituteForMathematicalSciences (AIMS) Global Network, and responsible for many biological advancements and discoveries such as the solution to the 70-year old immunological problem about the original antigenic sin. [9]
Early Life and Education
Wilfred Ndifon was born in the town of Buea, Cameron. Growing up as a child, he developed a strong passion for health sciences. Upon reaching adulthood, he enrolled as an undergraduate student in the University of Buea, majoring in Mathematics and Computer science, and minoring in Physics. After, he continued to pursue his passion of health sciences by going to the United States of America and studying medicine at Morgan State University. While studying there, he realised the potential of Mathematics in the stream of Biology, so he continued his education by courses in advanced Mathematics. He enrolled in a PhD program in biological dynamics that emphasised rigorous training at the interface of Mathematics, Physics, and Biology, at the University of Princeton. He now holds numerous masters degrees and a PhD in Biology.
Career
Dr Wilfred Ndifon is the Director of Research for the AIMS Global Network.
He was previously appointed as the Joint Career Development Chair at the centres in South Africa and Ghana funded by the Canadian International Development Research Centre. He is also affiliated to the department of Mathematical Sciences at Stellenbosch University. He was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
Research
Wilfred Ndifon's central point of study is in the human immune system. The immune system is a complex system of cells, tissues and organs that can protect humans but can malfunction periodically and becomes detrimental. Wilfred Ndifon understands the mechanisms of the immune system and seeks to find new solutions to improve the immune system and help fix it when it malfunctions. Ndifon uses mathematical thinking to the design of experiments that probe specific aspects of the immune system, and also to the interpretation of data.
He has experience developing technologies for designing a vaccine and for monitoring certain molecular sensors (called T-cell receptors) that help to protect individuals against diseases. He has an independent discovery of an organising principle of the Influenza virus, and this opens possibilities of new and improved vaccine types. He also developed a mathematical solution to a 70 year old immunological problem about the original antigenic sin, which opens the opportunity to improve vaccines further.
Impact On Society
As the Director of Research for the AIMS Global Network, Ndifon has a large influence on the decisions and direction of the company and controls their actions.
He pursues to conduct more research as he believes that more scientific research is the key to solving Africa's problems. Ndifon continues to raise awareness of Africa's healthcare problems and find better solutions to the common Illness in Africa with use of improved vaccines. His ultimate goal is to develop new approaches (including diagnostics) to control various communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Wilfred Ndifon's contributions to the world of Biology, especially his solution to the 70-year old immunological problem about the original antigenic sin, opens a large doorway for health care improvements in Africa. The original antigenic sin is very difficult to fight as it reduces the effectiveness of vaccines. As Africans get more sequential Infection, the original antigenic sin can manifest, which can cause great harm to the person. Wilfred Ndifon countered the development of the original antigenic sin within people as his research shows that the activity of certain white blood cells called Regulatory T cells, can fight against the original antigenic sin. Thus Ndifon is working towards creating a vaccine that can transfer Regulatory T cells to aid people against the original antigenic sin, and help improve the health of people in Africa.