The experience of Dr. Marie France Meledje at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome has officially begun, thanks to Harambee’s "Guadalupe Scholarship Program." The researcher, who arrived in the capital on January 7, will be engaged until March in a research project in the field of radiological and hematological sciences.

The Guadalupe Scholarship Program, established in memory of Spanish scientist Guadalupe Ortiz de Landázuri, aims to promote African women’s leadership in scientific research. The program supports researchers from sub-Saharan Africa, offering them the opportunity to conduct studies at prestigious international institutions.

Dr. Meledje, from Félix Houphouët-Boigny University in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, is one of the 2024/25 winners for Italy. During her three-month stay at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the Catholic University, she will focus on a project aimed at improving knowledge of cytological examination in hematology, acquiring skills in the use of flow cytometry, and detecting common molecular abnormalities in acute leukemia.

The program's impact extends beyond individual academic growth: it aims to create a multiplier effect in the researchers’ home countries. The goal is to encourage the establishment of new research teams and promote innovative solutions to Africa’s strategic challenges in areas such as health, energy, climate change, and food security.

Dr. Meledje expressed great enthusiasm for this opportunity, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in scientific research. “I am truly very happy; this is an important step not only for my career but also for scientific progress in my country,” she said.