Employing (Home) Organisation: BAYERO UNIVERSITY KANO (BUK)
Project title: Strengthening of Skills in Human Biomonitoring of Dietary Contaminants: A Requisite for Building Exposome Research Capacity to Improve Food Safety and Health in Africa
Hadiza Lawal Abdullahi is an academic Biochemist/Medical Laboratory Scientist, working with the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.
In her journey as an aspiring toxinologist, she was involved in international multidisciplinary research on snakebite. Motivated by the health consequences and economic losses caused by mycotoxin contamination of foods in Africa and her passion for finding solutions to a more under prioritized public health threat, she has chosen exposomics (human biomonitoring of dietary contaminants) as her research niche.
Summary of Project Destination
Food contamination by mycotoxins and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) continue to exist, due to lack of awareness and strict regulations by pertinent bodies in Nigeria to mitigate exposure. Eating foods contaminated with mycotoxins has been linked to serious health consequences; according to the Ministry of Environment in Nigeria, mycotoxins are responsible for 25% of ailments.
There is a dearth of integration of food intake with human biomonitoring data, despite the abundance of evidence in the literature regarding the presence of mycotoxins in most Nigerian foods, particularly aflatoxins. Human Biomonitoring of dietary contaminants in Nigerian populations, would assess contaminant exposure at the individual level and integrate all sources of exposure; a major step towards reduction of exposure to these contaminants.
Summary of Fellowship Plan
At the Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Ghent University, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Sarah De Saeger. I hope to acquire skills in human biomonitoring of dietary contaminants, that would strengthen my capacity as an exposome researcher. With support from my home institution, in the form of small grants and research facilities, I hope to carry out the research proposed during my placement, increase my scientific productivity, gain research independence and mentor as many aspiring toxinologists as possible.
Quote
“Integration of human biomonitoring with food consumption data in African populations is essential for identifying sources of exposure and addressing the burden of food contamination.”
Dr. HADIZA LAWAL ABDULLAHI expects to start her fellowship in July 2025