Bianca Wernecke is a researcher based in the Environment and Health Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). Bianca's work focuses on air quality and during this podcast she very clearly defines this problem from the perspective of human health and talks about some of the main challenges that lay ahead in finding a solution. Bianca talks about the important role of further research and communication within the communities where poor air quality has the greatest impact. Finally, Bianca sends a message of positivity, optimism and encouragement for any future career researchers who are entering this field of study.

For more background on the work at SAMRC take a look at the website here.

To find out more about Bianca's research please take a look at her researchgate profile

Dr. Mulubrhan Balehgn, a researcher now at the University of Florida, USA, founded a blog website back in 2010 calling it "The African Academic/Researcher" as a way of making use of the network he had build up himself during his research studies. He also had a strong desire  to give something back and to help his fellow researchers. Mulubrhan was contacted frequently for advice about how to create opportunities and progress in academia and soon realised he could do something bigger and better than replying to individual requests for advice and so the blog site was born.  Inspired by Mulubrhan's mission, Dr. Dawit Gebregziabher, a researcher based at Mekelle University, Ethiopia, a co-founder of the blog, has been assisting and leading the growth of the blog too. Please listen to this podcast if you are currently an early career researcher based in Africa, it is some of the most heart felt, positive and inspiring advice you will get! In fact, some of this content doesn't only apply to early career researchers but is important for all the scientific community and university leaders to hear the reasons how and why we should help each other and give something back into the academic system.   To access the blog page and search for opportunities then look here:  The African Academic/Researcher 

With special thanks to Dr David Odee, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology who through his contacts and efforts to build an iLEAPS group for Africa this podcast was made possible.