Month: April 2023

Originally published on LinkedIn

The African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), Redeemer’s University, announced that it will collaborate with Illumina, a global leader in sequencing and array-based technologies, on a joint workforce development training academy, with the objective of increasing Africa’s genomics capacity.

In February, @ACEGID and Illumina signed a memorandum of understanding, and will work towards an agreement to leverage the existing pathogen Genomics and Bioinformatics Bootcamp programme at ACEGID, to set up an ambitious training programme targeting 1,000 young African researchers and scientists in Genomics and Bioinformatics between March 2023 and December 2025. This will significantly increase the supply of qualified technical workforce for next-generation sequencing wet lab management, bioinformatics, big data analytics and advanced artificial intelligence/machine learning applications.

The objective is to establish a Genomics and Bioinformatics training Academy within ACEGID at Redeemer’s University, Ede, Nigeria. Illumina and ACEGID will also explore the implementation of a “mobile lab-in-container” that will enable real-time and on-the-move sequencing for outbreak responses in West Africa. This new programme fits into ACEGID’s SENTINEL pandemic preparedness and response programme of identifying pathogens with pandemic potentials in the field before they can wreak havoc.

“This new cooperation with Illumina is in complete alignment with the mandate of ACEGID, which is to train a critical mass of young African scientists that will use genomics tools and technologies to address public health challenges in Africa,” said Prof. Christian Happi, the Director of ACEGID.

“We share a collective goal with ACEGID of extending the reach of genomic technologies and their impacts for patients,” said Susan Tousi, Chief Commercial Officer of Illumina. “Africa has the greatest genetic diversity of any continent, and this opportunity to contribute to the future of accessing that diversity for the benefit of human health is one Illumina is proud to support.”

The two organizations will also work towards collaborations for pharmacogenomics (the study of how genes affect a person’s response to drugs) and precision oncology (the treatment of cancers based on the specific genes that cause cancerous growth in a patient) for Africans.

“Making precision medicine a reality for all populations is core to Illumina’s mission to improve human health by unlocking the power of the genome,” said Illumina Chief Executive Officer Francis deSouza. “Today, only 2% of genomic data comes from African individuals, and we’re committed to changing that. It begins with empowering local scientists and researchers with tools, resources, and training on the power of genomics. Our work with Prof. Happi and ACEGID builds on our goal to rapidly expand sequencing capabilities and capacity for all people in Africa, and will impact every area of precision medicine, from drug development to cancer screening, therapy selection and monitoring.”

Prof. Happi added, “What is unique about this cooperation is that both Illumina and ACEGID are agreeing to put in place the necessary infrastructure for training in genomics, research and innovation that is going beyond infectious diseases to also address the issues of non-communicable diseases.”

This cooperation aims to be a landmark in the African genomics and public health space; addressing the needs for both human resources development and infrastructure for proper training to enable increased capacity for genomics on the continent.

’Fikayo Oyewale

Scientific Communications Officer, ACEGID

Art teacher Lourdes Fuller firmly believes art class is a lab. The design cycle, she argues, is very much like the STEM process: You get an idea, draft it out and then step back and redesign. Fuller explains, “The scientific process is that you basically test your hypothesis. In art, you’re testing your idea.”

Fuller argues that art and science have much in common: “In order to be any kind of scientist, you have to have a curiosity, and you have to observe the world, and all of that is art.”

In her art classes at Shenandoah Middle School Museums Magnet in Miami, FL, students use technology, including 1-1 devices provided by Verizon Innovative Learning to analyze plants, insects and more, all through the eyes of an artist. “They think they are doing nothing, but they are doing so much,” Fuller says. “They are doing science.”

While students inspected the school grounds for plants and insects to classify through the use of an app, sixth grade student Karen Eglantin commented on the hands-on nature of art, saying, “I learned about real life things, not just from a book.”

When inside the classroom, Fuller regularly uses a document camera – a device that can project and magnify images – to zoom in on her hand and what she is drawing. She then projects her artwork onto each student’s individual device.

“They all have access to what I’m drawing from their desk,” Fuller explains. “They can raise their hands and say, ‘Wait, I didn’t see that. Can you do that again?’”

Fuller’s passion for art extends to the social and emotional growth of students. “The most exciting moment for me is [when] students find and discover something with their eyes,” she says. “The more you see, the more you know and how you fit into the world.”

For educators interested in interdisciplinary lessons that combine STEM with art, visit Verizon Innovative Learning HQ for free resources and apps.

Originally published on Tork News Center

Essity, maker of Tork hygiene and tissue products, has once again been recognized as one of the world’s 100 most sustainable companies by Corporate Knights. The company has also been included in two other prestigious sustainability so far this year.

The Global 100 list represents the top 1% of companies in the world in terms of sustainability performance. Corporate Knights analyzes and compares 6,720 publicly traded companies with a minimum gross revenue of USD 1bn against global industry peers. The ranking is based on 25 quantitative key performance indicators, including sustainable revenue, sustainable investment, taxes paid, carbon productivity, and racial and gender diversity. The list was announced during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January. 

“We are proud to once again be ranked as one of the world’s most sustainable companies,” said Magnus Groth, President and CEO of Essity. “As a global company providing hygiene and health solutions to over a billion people every day, Essity makes a real impact when it comes to people and the environment. 

“Our inclusion in Corporate Knight’s index demonstrates our commitment to responsible business practices throughout our value chain.”

In addition, Essity has also been awarded a place in CDP’s prestigious A List for its work in combating deforestation. Based on data reported through CDP’s 2022 Forests questionnaire, Essity was one of a small number of companies to achieve an “A” grade out of more than 10,000 companies scored.  For the fourth consecutive year, CDP have also awarded Essity a place on their 2022 Supplier Engagement Leaderboard for successfully working with its suppliers on climate change.

CDP is a not-for-profit charity that helps investors, companies, cities, states and regions manage their environmental impacts via a global disclosure system. 

And for the second consecutive year, Essity has also been included in the Sustainability Yearbook of S&P Global, an international finance and analytics company that annually reviews the world’s most sustainable companies.

Businesses listed in the yearbook need to score among the top 15 per cent of their industry and achieve an S&P Global Sustainability Score within 30 per cent of their industry’s top-performing company. Essity is in the top 10 per cent of the 7,800 global companies assessed to be included in this year’s yearbook.

“We at Essity are dedicated to improving well-being through leading hygiene and health solutions while working with sustainability across our value chain,” said Magnus. “We are proud of our performance and to be included in S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2023.”

The full ranking of the world’s 100 most sustainable companies by Corporate Knights is available on http://www.corporateknights.com.

www.torkusa.com/sustainability

About Tork

The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers worldwide ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissue, soap, napkins, wipers, but also software solutions for data-driven cleaning. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader that supports customers to think ahead so they’re always ready for business. Tork is a global brand of Essity, and a committed partner to customers in over 110 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit www.torkusa.com. 

About Essity

Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company. We are dedicated to improving well-being through our products and services. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands, such as Actimove, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic, Vinda and Zewa. Essity has about 48,000 employees. Net sales in 2022 amounted to approximately SEK 156bn (EUR 15bn). The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Essity breaks barriers to well-being and contributes to a healthy, sustainable and circular society. More information at www.essity.com.