Researcher in Cameroon Dedicated to Women’s Health Receives 2025 Gregor Reid Award for Outstanding Scholars in Developing Nations

It is with great pleasure that the ISAPP board of directors announces this year’s winner of the Gregor Reid Award for Outstanding Scholars in Developing Nations: Josiane Kenfack MSc, a PhD student at the University of Yaounde I in Cameroon.

Josiane’s scientific work focuses on the vaginal microbiome and probiotics, with the aim of improving women’s health in Cameroon and across Africa. She has continued to grow her scientific expertise through internships in Germany and Belgium as well as elsewhere in Cameroon. For one research project, she collected vaginal swabs and questionnaires from four groups of women in Cameroon: healthy women in rural areas, healthy women in urban areas, HIV-positive pregnant women, and HIV-negative pregnant women. Her preliminary analysis shows differences in these groups compared to women of European descent, indicating that African norms may be unique. She is investigating beneficial lactobacilli that could be developed into probiotics to combat conditions such as bacterial vaginosis, HIV, and sexually transmitted infections, which are prevalent in Africa.

Josiane stands out for her passion in making a difference in her community. Inspired by the Isala women’s health citizen science project in Belgium, Josiane set up a sister project called Leke and used her community leadership skills to motivate many women to participate. She is also the co-coordinator of the Cameroon-based IMVAHA (Improve Menstrual and Vaginal Health for All) project, which aims to determine the impact of menstrual products (tampons, pads, and cups) on the vaginal microbiome of Cameroonian women.

Josiane also devotes her time to local and international organizations: she’s an active member of the Organization for Women in Science for the Development World in Cameroon, a member of the Cameroon Immunology Society, and a member of the organizing committee of the Microbiome International Virtual Forum.

After completion of her PhD, Josiane plans to pursue post-doctoral research focusing on exploring in detail the metabolism of vaginal lactobacilli, to improve women’s health and pregnancy outcomes and to expand the citizen science research approach in Africa.

The 2025 award committee, led by the ISAPP Students and Fellows Association, selected Josiane from among many excellent candidates for the Gregor Reid Award for Outstanding Scholars in Developing Nations. ISAPP established this award in honor of Dr. Gregor Reid PhD to support and recognize early career researchers within low and middle income countries (LMICs). Dr. Reid is a founding board member of ISAPP, former President of ISAPP, and founder of the ISAPP Students and Fellows Association , whose work in LMICs throughout his career showed his commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, and community development.

Josiane will receive a plaque and a cash award, and will speak about her work at the ISAPP annual scientific meeting in July, 2025.