Save Critical Pandemic Prevention Research

Northern Nigeria has been without electricity for a full week now, and this marks the eighth time this year that the national grid has disrupted our research.

In our lab we’re conducting critical work on phage isolation to combat multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas strains, with therapeutic applications for diabetic wounds, cystic fibrosis, and other severe infections. We also have isolates for E. coli, Clostridium, and Salmonella typhi phages—each representing months of dedicated effort. Now, with power failures putting our refrigeration at risk, we face the real threat of losing these invaluable samples.

Research Halted

Such power interruptions—especially this year’s cumulative impact—highlight the challenge of sustaining research under unstable infrastructure. These interruptions halt our experiments, compromise data integrity, and threaten our ambitions to establish a dedicated phage therapy center in Nigeria.

The Path Forward: Seeking Sustainable Solutions

To ensure continuity, we’re actively seeking a sustainable energy source, particularly through solar panel installation. We urgently need a sustainable energy source. Solar panels could ensure stability, yet the cost is beyond reach. If you know of funding opportunities or renewable energy sponsors for research labs, your support could make all the difference in safeguarding our mission to establish Nigeria’s first phage therapy center.

(Side note: Wes is based in NY, but GoFundMe doesn’t send money to Nigeria, so it goes through him first. As additional proof (in addition to the university it’s located in having a web address) of the lab’s legitimacy, here’s one of their employee’s Google Scholar profile.))

#SupportScience #ResearchPower #RenewableEnergy. Support for a resilient power solution could save our ongoing research and help build a more reliable foundation for the future.