Camila Canaán-Haden | Biomedical research | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Camila Canaán-Haden | Biomedical research | Best Researcher Award

PhD student, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB)

Camila Canaán-Haden Ayala is a Cuban researcher specializing in cancer immunotherapy. She works at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), focusing on developing therapeutic cancer vaccines and recombinant antigen production. Her expertise includes immune response evaluations using ELISA, FACS, ELISPOT, and cytokine assays in various models. She has contributed to COVID-19 clinical trials and vaccine development, including the Abdala vaccine. Camila has undertaken multiple international research fellowships in Italy, Spain, France, and Mexico. Her work aims to improve immunotherapeutic strategies against cancer by targeting immune checkpoints and optimizing vaccine efficacy.

Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education

Camila holds a Master’s in Contemporary Biotechnology (2019-2022) from CIGB and a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2012-2017) from the University of Havana. She completed postgraduate training in bioinformatics, immunology, protein engineering, and good laboratory practices. Her academic foundation includes mathematics, chemistry, molecular genetics, virology, and clinical biochemistry. She has pursued advanced studies in biomedical research through multiple international pre-doctoral fellowships.

💼 Experience

Since 2017, Camila has been a researcher at CIGB’s Cancer Immunotherapy Lab. She has led projects on immune checkpoint inhibition strategies and therapeutic cancer vaccine development. Her work includes antigen cloning, protein characterization, and immunogenicity studies in animal models. She has evaluated antitumor and anti-metastatic effects of novel therapies and contributed to clinical trials for COVID-19 treatments. She has also worked with antibody phage display libraries to develop scFv antibodies. Her research extends to immune response assessments for cancer and infectious disease vaccines.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Camila has received prestigious short-term pre-doctoral fellowships in Italy (ICGEB-Trieste, University of Padua), Spain (CIBIR), France (Cancer Research Center of Lyon), and Mexico (CICESE), funded by international programs like IILA, Coimbra Group, and EU Ventana Adelante. Her contributions to COVID-19 vaccine research have been recognized in published scientific papers. She has played a key role in Cuban clinical trials for novel immunotherapies and has received funding for advanced research in biotechnology and immunology.

🔍 Research Focus

Camila’s research centers on cancer immunotherapy, focusing on immune checkpoint inhibition and tumor vaccine development. She specializes in recombinant antigen production, immune response characterization, and antibody-based therapies. Her projects involve antigen cloning, protein engineering, and evaluating vaccine efficacy in preclinical models. She has explored the combination of immunotherapies targeting VEGF and PD-L1 pathways to enhance anti-tumor responses. Her work has also contributed to COVID-19 vaccine research, particularly in evaluating immunogenicity and antibody responses.

Conclusion

Camila Canaán-Haden Ayala’s academic and professional trajectory is exceptional, with significant contributions to cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development. Her technical expertise, international exposure, and scientific output make her a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award. With a continued focus on expanding her clinical research impact, publishing in high-impact journals, and taking on leadership roles, her potential to drive groundbreaking innovations is evident.

Publication

M Limonta-Fernández, G Chinea-Santiago, AM Martín-Dunn, …
Title: An engineered SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain produced in Pichia pastoris as a candidate vaccine antigen
Year: 2022
Citation: 63

LA Espinosa, Y Ramos, I Andújar, EO Torres, G Cabrera, A Martín, …
Title: In-solution buffer-free digestion allows full-sequence coverage and complete characterization of post-translational modifications of the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2
Year: 2021
Citation: 15

YA Fleites, J Aguiar, Z Cinza, M Bequet, E Marrero, M Vizcaíno, I Esquivel, …
Title: HeberNasvac, a therapeutic vaccine for chronic hepatitis B, stimulates local and systemic markers of innate immunity: Potential use in SARS-CoV-2 postexposure prophylaxis
Year: 2021
Citation: 10

LA Espinosa, Y Ramos, I Andújar, EO Torres, G Cabrera, A Martín, …
Title: In-solution buffer-free digestion for the analysis of SARS-CoV-2 RBD proteins allows a full sequence coverage and detection of post-translational modifications in a single ESI
Year: 2021
Citation: 8

Y Morera-Díaz, C Canaán-Haden, J Sánchez-Ramírez, …
Title: Active immunization with a structurally aggregated PD-L1 antigen breaks T and B immune tolerance in non-human primates and exhibits in vivo anti-tumoral effects in
Year: 2023
Citation: 4

D Vázquez-Blomquist, M Bequet-Romero, Y Mendoza-Marí, G Lemos, …
Title: Nasalferon, a new nasal formulation of IFNα2b, modulates cellular and molecular elements associated with an antiviral response in mucosa and blood
Year: 2022
Citation: 4

EM Idelsis, PE Jésus, DR Yaquelin, VB Dania, BR Mónica, BR Lisandra, …
Title: A combination treatment of IFN-α2b and IFN-γ accelerates viral clearance and control inflammatory response in COVID-19: Preliminary results of a randomized controlled trial
Year: 2021
Citation: 4

C Canaán-Haden, J Sánchez-Ramírez, R Martínez-Castillo, …
Title: Immunogenicity and Safety Profile of Two Adjuvanted-PD-L1-Based Vaccine Candidates in Mice, Rats, Rabbits, and Cynomolgus Monkeys
Year: 2025
Citation: N/A

Y Morera, M Bequet-Romero, F Hernández-Bernal, I González-Moya, …
Title: Preclinical and clinical significance of VEGF deprivation in ovarian cancer through a specific active immunotherapy
Year: 2023
Citation: N/A

michel kabamba nzaji | immunization | Best Researcher Award

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 Prof Dr. michel kabamba nzaji | immunization | Best Researcher Award

Public health professional with over 18 years of experience in public health and epidemiology. Proven expertise in managing and implementing public health projects at both field and national levels. Skilled in data quality assessment, and qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. Extensive experience in designing, managing, and evaluating public health programs and policies, including disease surveillance, immunization, maternal and child health, nutrition, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and water, sanitation, and infection prevention (EBOLA, COVID-19).

profile:

Scopus

Orcid

Scholar

 

🏥 Professional Experience

Consultant – COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment October 2023 to March 2024 CHISU/RTI International. Assist with situational analysis planning, data collection tools, and terms of reference Manage logistics and approvals for field trips and situational analysis implementation. Analyze data, present results, and document recommendations. Participate in workshops and collaborate on study sample selection. Senior Health Program Specialist – COVID-19 Vaccine Evaluation October 2021 to September 2023. RTI International. Contribute to integrating COVID-19 vaccination into primary health care Develop M&E plans and oversee project indicators Coordinate evaluation activities and Intra-Action Reviews Assess vaccine impact and support communication strategies. RCCE Lead May 2022 to Present RTI International Facilitate RCCE discussions and evaluate systems for data collection Develop RCCE plans and build local capacity for response phases Manage RCCE documents and attend Communication Commission meetings. Member of the COVID-19 Communication Working Group March 2018 to December 2021 EPI Develop communication and behavior change guides Support production of awareness messages and data analysis Member of the Coordination Group for National Vaccine Deployment November 2020 to December 2021 Develop and revise the national vaccine deployment plan Organize awareness sessions and supervise vaccination teams. ASHAKO Monitoring and Evaluation Officer 2019 to October 2021. Expanded Vaccination Program / DRC Monitor plan activities, supervise coverage surveys, and coordinate with partners. Head of Section – Monitoring and Evaluation March 2018 to October 2021 Operational Research, Expanded Vaccination Program / DRC Support data analysis, new vaccine introduction, and training modules Oversee COVID-19 thematic group activities and develop service reports

🎓 Education

Doctor of Public Health July 2015 University of Lubumbashi (UNILU), Lubumbashi, DRC. Master in Public Health August 2007 University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, DRC. Medical Doctor July 2004 University of Lubumbashi (UNILU), Lubumbashi, DRC

🏆 Training

Post-Graduate Professional Diploma in Project Management In Training, 2023 Socrates Academy of Project Management. Immunization Program 2030 (IA2030) WHO Scholar Level 1 Certification December 2021 Cohort 2. Training of Trainers for Post-Vaccination Adverse Events (AEFI) May 2019 AMP, WHO, Ministry of Health, Kinshasa, DRC. Training on Good Clinical Practices (GCP) March 2019 IRESSEF Dakar, CVD Bamako, WHO, Ministry of Health, Kinshasa, DRC

💡 Skills

Health research, program/project management, logical framework, monitoring and evaluation, Vaccine-preventable disease surveillance, epidemiological analysis, statistical analysis, Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data collection tools (e.g., ODK, KOBO)

🧩 Areas of Expertise

Public Health, Routine/Essential Immunization (EPI), Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Nutrition and Food Security, Trainings, Health Policy Research, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Ebola Vaccination and COVID-19

Publication:📝

  • Acceptability of Vaccination Against COVID-19 Among Healthcare Workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Journal: Pragmatic and Observational Research
    Date: 2020
    Pages: 103-109
    Contributors: M Kabamba Nzaji, L Kabamba Ngombe, G Ngoie Mwamba, et al.
    Citations: 508

 

  • Predictors of Non-Adherence to Public Health Instructions During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Journal: Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
    Date: 2020
    Pages: 1215-1221
    Contributors: M Kabamba Nzaji, G Ngoie Mwamba, J Mbidi Miema, et al.
    Citations: 40

 

  • Occupational COVID-19 Prevention Among Congolese Healthcare Workers: Knowledge, Practices, PPE Compliance, and Safety Imperatives
    Journal: Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
    Date: 2020
    Volume: 6(1), Article 6
    Contributors: N Michel-Kabamba, NR Ngatu, N Leon-Kabamba, A Katumbo-Mukemo, et al.
    Citations: 36

 

  • Facteurs de Risque de Faible Poids de Naissance en Milieu Semi-Rural de Kamina, République Démocratique du Congo
    Journal: The Pan African Medical Journal
    Date: 2014
    Volume: 17
    Contributors: IB Kangulu, EKN Umba, MK Nzaji, PKM Kayamba
    Citations: 30

 

  • A Study of the Prevalence of Infectious Markers in Blood Donors in Rural Areas: The Case of Kamina Hospital (DRC)
    Journal: Sante Publique
    Date: 2013
    Volume: 25(2), Pages: 213-217
    Contributors: MK Nzaji, BK Ilunga
    Citations: 16

 

  • Prévalence des Marqueurs Infectieux Chez les Donneurs de Sang en Milieu Rural. Cas de l’Hôpital Général de Référence de Kamina
    Journal: Santé Publique
    Date: 2013
    Pages: 213-217
    Contributors: M Kabamba Nzaji, B Kabyla Ilunga
    Citations: 15

 

  • Risk Factors for Low Birth Weight in Semi-Rural Kamina, Democratic Republic of Congo
    Journal: The Pan African Medical Journal
    Date: 2014
    Volume: 17, Article 220
    Contributors: IB Kangulu, EK Umba, MK Nzaji, PK Kayamba
    Citations: 14

 

  • Challenges to COVID-19 Vaccine Introduction in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – A Commentary
    Journal: Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
    Date: 2022
    Volume: 18(6), Article 2127272
    Contributors: T Zola Matuvanga, RH Doshi, A Muya, A Cikomola, A Milabyo, P Nasaka, et al.
    Citations: 12