How the centre for Phage biology and therapeutics would use more funding.

At Centre for Phage Biology and Therapeutics, our purpose is to maximise positive impact and make a real difference in world health. We are currently leading the effort to establish a large phage biobank in Nigeria, which is a vital step in pandemic preparedness. Phages have enormous promise, from vaccine manufacture to fighting drug-resistant bacteria, and our programme is set to make important contributions in these areas.

To further our effect, we need 20,000 USD to install a solar energy system that will provide sustainable and efficient power to our -80 Freezers. This not only secures the viability of our phage preservation efforts but also aligns with the ethos of effective altruism by optimizing resource allocation for maximum positive outcomes.

Your support will not only advance phage technology but also contribute to a safer, healthier world.  

If you wish to know more, feel free to reach out to us via eennadi@plasu.edu.ng

What an extraordinary idea! I'm connecting with you from Jos, Nigeria. Presently, we're facing a shortage of electricity. For the last few days, we've only had electricity available from 12 am to 5:30 am daily. It's challenging for many to grasp the importance of a solar power system in such a situation. The energy costs here are unfavourable as well, negatively impacting research endeavours. I had previously hoped to acquire solar energy to fuel my laboratory, but financial constraints stood in the way. I applaud this initiative; it has the potential to breathe new life into our rural community.

Thanks Jeff for the reply. I had written on climate change and emerging pathogens earlier. Here is the link to a thought I had earlier

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/wh6sCGu8qYMrAznJL/climate-change-and-emerging-fungal-infections-impacts

Hi Jeff, thanks for your response. I hold a PhD in Medical Microbiology and am a lecturer in the Department of Microbiology, at Plateau State University, Bokkos, Nigeria.  My passion lies in deciphering how this changing climate fosters the emergence of novel and more formidable pathogens, posing a grave risk to human lives. I  believe that climate change will make us more vulnerable to pathogens like fungi, however, I am realising that " natural pandemics" may not be an existential risk based on Toby Ord's opinion in "The Precipice". Do you think funders will be willing to fund research focused on looking at how climate change will lead to the evolution of pathogens leading to "natural" pandemics?

Jeff, your transition from a professional programmer with over a decade of experience in ads and web performance to a career in biosecurity is quite fascinating. Can you share what motivated or inspired you to make this significant switch in your career path? Additionally,  do you believe that your impact on addressing global health threats is more substantial compared to your previous career, and what are the key differences you've noticed in terms of the impact you can make? Lastly, I hold a PhD in Medical Microbiologist considering switching my research career to biosecurity.  What sincere advice or insights would you offer a person like me who is considering a switch to biosecurity this time as a researcher, based on your own experiences and observations in your new role?  A Major hurdle has been securing funding, impact for a researcher comes with increased funding.  As someone who has funded research, what attracts you to a project to fund?

Thank you, Nick, for your thoughtful feedback. Perhaps in the future, event organizers could clearly specify the preferred "article format" and the criteria for evaluation. This would help eliminate biases and promote transparency. When writers are asked to contribute without clear guidelines, but there are hidden expectations for a specific format, it can be demoralizing. Participating in future competitions may lose its appeal under such circumstances.

To ensure objectivity, consider implementing an open voting system in the future. This approach can foster fairness and impartiality in the selection process.

This is all the more important because of the judgment criteria earlier set out

Posts will be judged based on the following rubric:

Originality of insight Clarity Discussion provoked: (judged by the post’s forum score and number of comments) Persuasiveness of argument This is replaced by Relevance to forum readers for summaries of existing work

Looking at the above in the context of

“ I think it's notable that it is not always the highest karma post that won within each category. We didn't want to anchor too much to reception by forum readers, and to reward posts that were outside the typical forum style (still requiring that a post be original, clear, discussion-provoking, and persuasive or relevant to the forum)”

You can tell that unexplained rules and changing rules mid way would not help.

All the same, I am happy I shared my thoughts and I hope it will provoke some research and increased support in studying fungi

Congratulations to all the victors! Personally, I've faced challenges when it comes to competitions and applications, particularly within the Effective Altruism (EA) sphere. When it mentioned a "typical forum style," I started doubting my ability to make an impact in the EA context because I felt I didn't align with the ideal EA system.

As I reflect on it, it seems that EA members possess a distinct mindset, approach, and perspective. I've come to the realization that making a significant impact within the EA context might not be my forte.

Nevertheless, I want to express my gratitude to the organizers for providing me with the opportunity to voice my thoughts and opinions on various issues. Thank you!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Being a lecturer is undoubtedly an engaging profession, but the experience in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) like Nigeria presents unique challenges. Despite these hurdles, I still have the privilege of managing my time and courses.

As a senior lecturer, my monthly salary amounts to a mere $272 USD (using 900NAIRA/USD). What sets this apart is the absence of funds available for initiating research projects or establishing a lab. Consequently, the responsibility falls squarely on me to self-finance my research endeavors and publish research papers using this salary. In essence, there is little room for the concept of "earning to give" in our academic landscape. It's an arduous journey, to say the least.

To illustrate the extent of our challenges, my university hasn't paid us salaries for the last four months. Nonetheless, we continue to report to work and strive to conduct research. It is an exceptionally tough situation – one where you cannot simply request assistance, yet you must maintain productivity, often measured in terms of publications.

In our context, the impact of our work is often measured by the individuals we nurture and mentor. Training and guiding students to progress and contribute meaningfully to society is our primary yardstick for success. Witnessing their growth and development brings a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness.

I must admit that there have been moments of temptation to seek opportunities elsewhere, where conditions may be more favorable. However, my commitment to the cause keeps me rooted here. The challenges notwithstanding, the fulfillment derived from shaping the future of our students and our community makes it all worthwhile. I am constantly on the lookout for that elusive solution that might make our work easier.

I often wonder if there are programs or initiatives that could provide a stop-gap salary for individuals working in positions where they are owed salaries for extended periods but would prefer not to leave their jobs. I would be highly interested in applying for such support if it were available.

I agree with you on this. It is true we need awareness of the importance of this, however such sensitive topic should be carefully communicated because of bad actors that might exploit this for negative use. @DC What do you think is the line between science communication and feeding bad actors with useful information?

I think EA forum should decide on what they would define as impact in Africa. I think, they should bring together key players from Africa a path for impact.