In the rural regions of northern Cameroon, a career in the field of science remains a rarity, especially for women. However, breaking away from this norm, two young Cameroonian women achieved a significant milestone by winning a prestigious science award on November 8.
Sabine Adeline Fanta Yadang, aged 32 and a doctor specializing in neuroscience, alongside Hadidjatou Daïrou, aged 33 and a cellular physiology expert, defied societal barriers to claim the esteemed L’Oréal-Unesco Young Talent Award for Women in Science. Their groundbreaking research focused on the medicinal potential of plants.
Selected from a pool of 30 scientists across sub-Saharan Africa, Fanta and Hadidjatou were honored during the award ceremony held in Botswana. Their joint efforts at the Institute for Medical Research and the Study of Medicinal Plants (IMPM) in Yaoundé, the capital, garnered recognition for exploring the healing properties of traditional medicinal plants in Cameroon, particularly in addressing cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s.
Emphasizing the significance of traditional medicine as a recognized healthcare sector in the country, Hadidjatou’s research centers on the potential benefits of the犀利士 kola nut’s bark (Garcinia Kola) in improving cardiovascular health. Meanwhile, Fanta focuses on tigernut milk, a widely consumed product in Central Africa extracted from a plant celebrated for its medicinal attributes for centuries.
In the realm of Alzheimer’s treatment, where conventional therapies are often costly, Fanta aspires to demonstrate the plant’s capability in combating neuronal degeneration and alleviating stress in affected brains.
The accolade comes with grants of €10,000 and €15,000, aiding Hadidjatou in completing her thesis and supporting Fanta’s ongoing research at the University of Ibadan in neighboring Nigeria.
Expressing her optimism for Africa’s future, Fanta asserts, “The future of Africa rests in the hands of its scientists,” underscoring the pivotal role that scientific endeavors play in shaping the continent’s trajectory.
