About ABIC
​Building a collaborative bioimaging community in Africa
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The African Bioimaging Consortium (ABIC) is a network of life science researchers throughout Africa with an interest in and use for microscopy. This community-driven initiative aims to unite the African microscopy community and support the development of bioimaging across the continent.
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Participation in ABIC is open to all life science PhD students, post-doctoral fellows, early-career researchers, senior scientists, technical scientists, and lab heads from all African countries. We welcome engagement with manufacturers, vendors, and funding bodies as well.
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Our Mission
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Our consortium strives to build a diverse and inclusive bioimaging community in Africa, in support of a high standard of research and development. Our activities seek to: ​​​​
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Help our researchers and research to be globally connected and locally relevant.
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Maximize the accessibility and sustainability of bioimaging training and capacity development activities.
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Support and facilitate community-driven initiatives and projects addressing the largest challenges identified by the community & partners.
Our Vision​
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Our vision is to elevate bioimaging across Africa and to empower African scientists to:
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Leverage existing and cutting-edge imaging technologies, tools, and applications for the benefit of African research
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Implement and innovate imaging technologies to meet Africa's unique research points.
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Engage as key global collaborators in the advancement of bioimaging.
Our Guiding Pillars​​
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ABIC's mission & vision is underpinned by three guiding pillars:
Training & Education
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Promote accessibility of relevant training opportunities globally and within Africa
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Support and facilitate community-driven initiatives for training and education
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Collaborate with other networks, programs, and partners to maximize the sustainability and impact of training initiatives.
Community​
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Foster diversity and inclusion
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Strengthen connections between African researchers and promote collaborations within Africa
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Support and foster bilateral engagement and collaboration with the global bioimaging community
Infrastructure & Access​
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Promote the concept and benefit of shared research infrastructure and core facility models in Africa
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Foster a collective effort that advocates for improved microscope infrastructure and equipment accessibility, availability of bioimaging reagents, and image analysis capabilities in Africa
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Support infrastructure and capacity development initiatives by partners
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Scientific Advisory Board
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Gordon Awandare
University of Ghana
West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens
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​Teng-Leong Chew
HHMI Janelia
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Leonel Malacrida
Institut Pasteur Montevideo
Universidad de la Republica
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Michelle Peckham
University of Leeds
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Executive Committee​
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The executive committee works in partnership with the ABIC Operations Team (the leads of the various working groups) and other Partnering Initiative Representatives.​
Aimé Sanhoun
Head of the CSRS Microscopy Unit
Centre Suisse de Recherche Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire (CSRS)
Mai Atef Rahmoon
Advanced Imaging Center (AIC) Fellow
HHMI – Janelia Research Campus
Caron Jacobs
Imaging Scientist
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Happiness Netshimbupfe
Senior Laboratory Technician
North West University
William Wasswa
Head of Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering
Mbarara University of Science & Technology
Support
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The African BioImaging Consortium is proud to be supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Expanding Global Access to Bioimaging program.
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