TiDi Foundation is happy to introduce the beneficiaries of the TiDi Foundation Research Award for 2020. The students, awarded with funds of up to GhC 1000.00 each, are very highly motivated undergraduate students who are passionate about research. They were selected from a large pool of applicants from various universities across Ghana. Below are their profile, detailing what their research projects involve and what they hope to achieve after school.

My name is Ibrahim W. Naveh-Fio and currently in my final year at the University of Cape Coast. My research topic is “The role serum free light chains on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.” I work with DR. R.K.D Ephraim on this project. We’re interested in finding out how free serum free light chains can predict the occurrence of preeclampsia which is a major hypertensive disorder of pregnancy so as to reduce the foetal and maternal morbidity in our setting, and the world at large. One challenge I have faced is the cost involved in the project work, as the budget for this research is huge. The current budget is GHC7,177.00 (~$1,300.00). The cost has really gone up because we had to perform a lot of ELISA with each kit costing around 280 USD. I have been trying very hard to get some money from different sources to cater for the project work, so TiDi foundation’s funds have really been helpful and enabled me to speed up my research work. After my bachelor’s degree, I hope to apply for post-graduate studies (masters) or go to medical school. Also, I’m looking at focusing on research work to help the society. In the end, my goal is to assist other people when I succeed.

My name is Kwakunaka Benedict Otu, a final year student at Narh-Bita College. I’m working on the topic ‘’The use of bromelain, a plant derived proteolytic enzyme, for antigen retrieval in formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues’’ with Mr. Rashid Adams. One challenge I have faced is the difficulty in acquisition of antibodies for the studies since the antibodies are very expensive and not readily available on the local market. The funds from TiDi Foundation has gone a long way to assist me in purchasing these very expensive antibodies for the project. I hope to develop myself in the field of research after school and write articles on vital issues that will contribute significantly to better healthcare delivery. Thank you TiDi Foundation for your help!

I am Kenneth Boadi Agyeman Osei and currently in my final year at the University of Ghana, Legon. I’m working on the Determination of Candida albicans antifungal resistance mechanism in Ghanaian nonpregnant women diagnosed with recurrent vulvovaginal infection with Mr. Emmanuel Ayitey Tagoe of the University of Ghana, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences. Our interest is in finding out the prevalence and risk factors of Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis and the mechanism of Candida albicans antifungal resistance by amplifying targeted genes with Polymerase Chain Reaction and DNA fragments sequencing. One challenge I have faced is restrictions in getting samples and adequate information from the patients due to the pandemic. The support from TiDi foundation has been handy because the lockdown resulting from the COVDI-19 pandemic affected some of my previous work so I had to start them again, which has been possible through the funds from the Foundation. I have great interest in Medical Microbiology, specifically Mycology and would like to attain higher education and experience in this field. Thank you.

My name is Shadrack KLOGO and currently in my final year at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). I’m working on a comparative study of the fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) and the fractional excretion of potassium (FEK) and estimated GFR with Mr. Eliezer Togbe. We’re interested in finding out the sensitivity and specificity of FENa, FEK and their diagnostic utilities in renal disorders. One challenge I have faced is finding a facility that has the right equipment to determine the urine parameters. Also, the urine test for these parameters is very cost intensive. TiDi Foundation’s funding has been a lot helpful. It has catered for some monetary aspect of the project. I hope to proceed to post graduate school shortly after my first degree. I hope the foundation keeps supporting research students in the advancement of science.

My name is Godfred Owusu Asare and currently in my final year at Garden City University College. My project topic is to “Study of the hypercoagulable state in pulmonary tuberculosis patients and the outcome with anti-tubercular therapy in selected districts in Ghana” with Mr. David Ofosu Ntiamoah as my supervisor. Our particular focus is in finding the outcome of haematological, haemostatic parameters and hypercoagulative state in pulmonary tuberculosis and the outcome with anti-tubercular therapy. I am so thankful to TiDi Foundation for the financial support and guidance. Your donations clearly provide tremendous assistance for emerging scholars and improve research output which would lead to research backed policy making. I do not believe that I will adequately be able to put into words how much receiving this grant means to me. Because of the support, I will be able to complete my project work without worrying about the financial issues. It has been a great relief.

TiDi Foundation is a non-profit organization that seeks to increase the interest of undergraduates in Ghana in research. Our operations are entirely supported by donations. You can donate any amount to support us by following this link . You can also Contact Us to know more about other options to support us. Thank you for your support!!!