Bioinformatician and genomic epidemiologist Dr Patrick Musicha has been selected for the Wellcome Sanger Institute’s prestigious International Fellows Programme.
Dr Musicha, Lecturer at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme (MLW), is one of six outstanding researchers based in low- and middle- income countries who will help to foster global collaboration and international leadership in genomic research.
The Sanger’s International Fellows are a vital part of its mission to deliver meaningful, world-changing genomics research. The programme supports scientists from LMICs to formulate and deliver research projects using the Sanger’s cutting-edge genomic technologies, facilities and research environment, as well as taking advantage of mentorship, funding and global networking opportunities.
Dr Musicha said: "I am excited to join the Sanger International Faculty and continue to collaborate with world-class scientists at the Institute. This is a pivotal time for genomic research in Africa and the world, and our collaborations with the Sanger Institute provide a vital platform for us to make meaningful contributions."
At MLW, Dr Musicha is an Associate Group Head and leads a growing team of researchers alongside supervision of PhD and MSc students.
His research uses an interdisciplinary approach that combines bioinformatics, genomics, and statistical modelling to understand dynamics of pathogens and drug-resistant infections. His long-term goal is to generate evidence to support appropriate infectious disease interventions and policy co-creation.
As an International Fellow at the Sanger Institute, he will be working with Sanger Professor Nick Thomson to understand the pathways through which hospitalised patients and their close contacts acquire antimicrobial resistant bacteria, which can cause a range of diseases in Malawi, from urinary tract infections to diarrhoea.
In 2024, Patrick was selected for the LSTM Career Track Fellowship programme, recognising his excellence in research and teaching.
Dr Trevor Lawley, Chair of the International Fellows Programme and Senior Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: “Our International Fellows bring in a depth and wealth of experience that enables us, at the Sanger Institute, to widen the scope of our science, working with underrepresented communities and empowering regional leaders.”