Speaker: Dr Senjuti Saha, PhD, Deputy Executive Director, Child Health Research Foundation (CHRF), Dhaka, Bangladesh
Title: 'Building a Pediatric Infectious Disease Observatory in a Resource-Limited Setting: Opportunities and More Opportunities'
Host: Sarah Teichmann
Everyone is welcome to attend. This meeting will be in-person only and not streamed.
Abstract:
The 10/90 gap, where 10% of medical technologies exist in regions where 90% of child deaths occur, highlights the need for equitable distribution of technologies globally. In Bangladesh, our team has worked to address this disparity by building a state-of-the-art “Infection Observatory” with the ability to sequence 1000s of pathogen genomes and analyzing large genomic datasets to derive public health insights. Through this infection observatory, we were amongst the first ones to identify Chikungunya virus as the cause of a meningitis and participate in the COVID-19 pandemic response by sequencing Bangladesh’s first SARS-CoV-2 genome. We have also investigated the evolution and diversity of multiple endemic pathogens like typhoidal Salmonella, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Dengue and RSV amongst others. To further expand the access to genomic technologies in Bangladesh, we have recently built capacity for conducting single-cell genomic studies. We are currently using single cell genomics to investigate the nasal mucosa, the primary site of interaction in respiratory infections, and immune responses in preterm and term infants upon vaccination. Initial analysis of these data highlights the breadth of biological insights that can be obtained from working with traditionally neglected communities. Through our work, we are beginning to demonstrate how building research capacity in resource-limited settings can transform challenges into opportunities for impactful research. By aligning advanced technologies with local health needs, even small contributions can yield scalable, life-saving solutions.
Short Bio:
Dr. Senjuti Saha is the Deputy Executive Director of the Child Health Research Foundation in Bangladesh, leading research on pediatric diseases. She completed her PhD in Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto and post-doctoral training at SickKids and Stanford. Since 2016, she has pioneered genomic research in Bangladesh. She is a member of key committees including the WHO Product Development for Vaccines Advisory Committee, the WHO Technical Advisory Group - Viral Evolution, the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Salmonella Vaccines and the Polio Transition Independent Monitoring Board. She has over 80 peer-reviewed publications and sits on the editorial board of several international journals. Dr. Saha also leads a nation-wide program "Building Scientists for Bangladesh", advocating for equitable science education and opportunities. Her work not only advances scientific knowledge but also ensures its accessibility and benefit to all.