Work experience guest blog: Sephora Koudou
In March 2024, the IVCC Technical Team welcomed Sephora Koudou for a week-long work experience at our Liverpool office. During this period, she engaged with multiple teams, gaining valuable insights into the global impact of malaria and the crucial role of vector control tools in preventing transmission and saving lives. In this blog post, Sephora shares her experiences and key takeaways from her time at IVCC.
My work experience at IVCC was informative and eventful. I spent time talking with IVCC team members one-on-one and understanding how each of their roles plays an important part in the work of IVCC. I gained valuable insights into their careers in a nonprofit organization and learned how fulfilling it is for them to know that their innovative solutions save and change lives.
During the week, I had the opportunity to visit the Liverpool Insect Testing Establishment (LITE) facilities to see the mosquitoes more up close. It was very exciting to dissect the mosquitoes identifying the different parts and to observe the technicians test the different insecticides at different concentrations and on different colonies of mosquitoes. I learnt how quickly mosquitoes breed giving me an idea of how diseases such as malaria and other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) can spread quickly, causing outbreaks. This helped me better understand IVCC’s mission: by building partnerships, they enable the creation of innovative solutions to address the evolving challenges of vector control with the support of their funding partners (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UKAID, USAID, The Australian Government, The Global Fund, UNITAID, and Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency.
From my experience at the IVCC and talking one on one I have learnt that it’s a very rewarding and fascinating job as working here you are helping to save the lives of vulnerable populations and build relationships with endemic countries, manufacturers and funders also increase prosperity in those developing countries. Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) has helped strengthen institutions research capacities and help people develop technical skills which can be applied to furthering their education to Phds etc…
Without the work of nonprofit organisations like IVCC, malaria would still be a problem and people would still be ignorant about the resistance of mosquitoes which would continue to cause cases. IVCC has come up with many innovative solutions to control the target vector (mosquitoes) with solutions such as: insecticide treated nets (ITNs), Attractive Targeted Sugar Baits (ATSB), IRS sprays, etc.…, with many out on the market also.
Personally, throughout my week of work experience I have gained more insight for my future deciding between a more scientific or business route. It has been useful to give me an experience of an active work life and help me make an informed decision for my career path.
By Sephora Koudou
