Podcasting has long tendrils that can wrap itself around topics, events, issues, and questions that evade other format -- TV, film, radio, even books -- because the target audience either large enough or considered significant to cover.
How about immunology on the African continent?
Welath Okrete has taken on that challenge. The Immunology in Africa Podcast focuses on science communication in immunology & related research —
spotlighting Africa & amplifying African stories.
By amplifying the stories, struggles, and successes of
Africans researching the immune system, ImmunoAfrica creates a platform
for scientists, up-and-coming researchers, and members of the public to
explore the immune system collectively.
In a recent article on Medium, Okrete wrote: "I embraced the idea to launch a podcast in 2021 out of sheer curiosity. I wanted to learn about African immunology — about local African scientists and their contributions to the rapidly evolving global field of immunology. However, I didn’t want to do so by just reading long, complex journal articles. While I felt it’d be super cool to directly hear these scientists talk about their work, I couldn’t find any audio platform to tune in to. Podcasting had become a thing then, so I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to start one — but I wasn’t particularly excited about doing so. Here’s why."
Wealth Okrete Okrete continues: "I got into science communication as a writer, mainly because I considered writing a convenient route to expressing my ideas. Podcasting, however, was inconvenient — it would entail forcing myself out of my little, cozy shell into a larger, unfamiliar sphere. The challenge it presented was also different — I didn’t think I had what it would take to host an immunology podcast. So, I reached out to Julius Wesche to learn the ropes — and a few weeks later, on January 28, 2022, he would school me on the tools, dos, and don’ts of podcasting."
As of August 1, 2024, the podcast is two years old.
Okrete comments: "Over this time frame, I have been awed by the invaluable contributions of African immunologists to making the continent and the world a healthier place. I have spoken with professors, postdocs, and PhD students, exploring topics from how HIV/ART (antiretroviral therapy) disrupts immune function in infants born to women living with HIV to why Africans tend to generate weaker immune responses to routine vaccines. Guests on the podcast have shared insights into a wide range of diseases, including neurocysticercosis, tuberculosis, cancer, Lassa fever, and alpha-gal allergy. And with their help and our team of volunteers, ImmunoAfrica has spread ‘the gospel of African immunology’ across more than 50 countries, in just 2 years.
I started an immunology podcast because I had a keen interest in the field," says Okrete. "That interest, alongside the science communication experience I had gained overtime, became my comfort zone. Even if you don’t fully agree with my idea of a comfort zone, my point is to always think of how the skills, experiences, or networks within your reach can facilitate your flight into new terrains."
For aspirational podcasters, Okrete advises: "Think of how the skills, experiences, or networks within your reach can facilitate your flight into new terrains. Plan and stay organized."
Admittedly, the episodes are scientific in nature, but educational about the efforts made in Africa to combat disease.
For example, in the July 8th show, Dr. Ousmane Traoré is an immunology and parasitology researcher currently working as Laboratory Manager at the Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN / URCN) in Burkina Faso. He was a key figure in several malaria vaccine trials, including the phase II and III trials for R21/Matrix-M and the phase II trial for RH5/Matrix-M.
On the December 2023 episode, Kumba Seddu, who started her PhD journey at Johns Hopkins University, investigates male and female immune differences to viral vaccines
and infections. Her research added to the growing evidence that
vaccinated females have greater antibody responses than males. This
increased vaccine-induced antibody response in females is due to
hormonal
(estrogen) effects and sex chromosome (XX) effects.
I also recommend listening to Tony Doe's superb Into The Podverse about podcasting in Africa, and the opportunities and challenges on the continent. Tony is a podcasting veteran who is definitely ear worthy for people on all continents.
Get a taste of the podcast via the trailer. As a host, Wealth Okrete is articulate, passionate, and knowledgeable about his topic.
Check out The Immunology in Africa podcast. I know the science may be arcane to many, but the narrative about the Herculean efforts by scientists and others to improve the health of millions of African citizens is a story too positive to pass up.
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