Advancing Discovery Science: Drosophila Models and Home-Grown Research Tools for Resource-Limited Settings
26th Webinar Series for Strengthening Fundamental Research Capacity with Drosophila in Rwanda
Exploring practical, cost-effective, and innovative approaches to advance research and build local capacity
Event Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday, November 4, 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 AM CAT |
| Format | Live Online Webinar |
| Cost | Free Registration |
| Series | INSTAL Africa Webinar #26 |
| Live Stream | |
| Access Link |
About This Webinar
Join us for the 26th installment of the INSTAL Africa webinar series, dedicated to pioneering practical, scalable, and community-driven methodologies for discovery science in resource-limited settings.
Fundamental biomedical discovery is the essential foundation for clinical translation and drug development, yet researchers across Africa frequently encounter infrastructural bottlenecks, high procurement costs, and supply chain delays. In this session, guest speakers Oluwapelumi Eniola Adurosakin and Dr. Joaquín de Navascués (University of Essex, UK) share hands-on frameworks for combining Drosophila melanogaster models with open-source laboratory apparatus, 3D-printed instruments, and "home-grown" research tools. They demonstrate how resource-conscious laboratories can build robust, high-caliber genetic and molecular pipelines to address pressing health challenges.
What You'll Learn
- Foundational strategies for establishing and operating a competitive discovery genetics laboratory in resource-limited environments
- Practical design, 3D printing, and deployment of open-source "home-grown" research instruments that replace expensive commercial apparatus
- The scientific and logistical advantages of Drosophila melanogaster as an accessible, cost-effective biomedical model organism
- Experimental paradigms in developmental biology, stem cell renewal, and disease modeling using frugal laboratory setups
- Strategies for early-career African scientists to build sustainable North-South research partnerships and secure competitive international fellowships
Who Should Attend
- Biomedical scientists, geneticists, biochemists, and cell biologists
- Postgraduate scholars, PhD candidates, and undergraduate researchers in life sciences
- Laboratory managers, biotechnologists, and open-hardware innovators
- Academic faculty and university lecturers seeking cost-effective practical curricula
- Institutional leaders and policymakers championing indigenous African research infrastructure
Guest Speakers
Oluwapelumi Eniola Adurosakin
Commonwealth PhD Scholar, University of Essex, UK
Oluwapelumi Eniola Adurosakin is a Commonwealth PhD Scholar in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Essex, UK. Her research utilizes Drosophila models to dissect cellular and developmental pathways, with an emphasis on creating accessible and reproducible protocols for resource-constrained laboratories across Africa.
Dr. Joaquín de Navascués, PhD, AFHEA
Lecturer in Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, UK
Dr. Joaquín de Navascués is a Lecturer in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology at the University of Essex. His research investigates stem cell dynamics, tissue regeneration, and epithelial biology using the adult Drosophila intestine. He is a prominent proponent of open science, affordable laboratory hardware, and international scientific training partnerships.
Registration & Access
FREE EVENT — Open to all researchers, clinicians, students, and life scientists worldwide.
- Register online: or using the registration form on this page.
- YouTube Live Stream:
- Action Required: After registering, click the YouTube Live link and select "Notify Me" to receive an automated broadcast reminder.
- Certificate: Digital certificate of attendance provided to registered delegates.
About INSTAL Africa
Innovation Science and Technology for Action and Learning in Africa (INSTAL Africa) is a flagship scientific initiative led by the Foresight Institute of Research and Translation (FIRAT Rwanda) in collaboration with DrosAfrica and the University of Rwanda (UR). INSTAL Africa is committed to training 200 African researchers by 2030, establishing resilient fundamental research capacity, and driving biomedical breakthroughs across Africa.
Organizing Partners
- Foresight Institute of Research and Translation (FIRAT Rwanda) —
- University of Rwanda (UR) —
- DrosAfrica
- Collaborating partner institutions
Previous Webinars
This is the 26th webinar in our ongoing series dedicated to strengthening fundamental research capacity and animal model development across Africa. Previous editions have featured international pioneers covering precision oncology with chemputers, preclinical platforms, neurovirology, coronavirus models, synaptic neuroscience, and computational genomics.
