Linda Djune Yemeli is a final year PhD candidate at the University of Yaoundé 1 and Junior Researcher at the Higher Institute for Scientific and Medical Research (ISM). Linda’s primary research interests include Host-Pathogen Population Biology, Immunobiology and immunogenomics. They are especially interested in the immune markers associated with the different filariasis infection states and the immunomodulation by filarial worms.
Tell us a bit about the current research work that you are part of?
I am currently working an many projects, amongst other the investigation of the phenotypic diversity of serologic response to Onchocerca volvulus in Cameroon, and the elucidation of cytokines pathway involved in the development of adverse events following ivermectin treatment of loiasis.
What made you choose the field of Immunology over others?
I chose immunology over other fields for two main reasons. First of all, immunology is a multidisciplinary science at the center of a lot of translational research. Secondly, to really fight against infectious diseases, it is crucial to understand how the immune system works.
What drew you to Immunopaedia?
I became aware of Immunopaedia in 2019 when I applied for the Immuno-Ethiopia course and the pre-course we had to complete was on Immunopaedia. I therefore had the opportunity to see all the resources that were available on the website. I found that the people working on that project were doing an important and incredible job, and I wanted to be part of it all.
What advice do you have for fellow researchers that are interested in Immunology?
Immunology is an interesting and particularly important field; so, forge ahead and follow your dreams. Also, Immunopaedia will be a good starting point to gain basic knowledge you might need.
If you were not involved in Immunology, what other scientific fields do you see yourself contributing to?
If I were not an immunologist, I think that I would have been bioinformatician or biostatistician.
If you could learn and perform the assay/laboratory technique of your dreams, which one would that be and why?
I really want to learn flow cytometry. It is the best way to identify immuno-competent cells, to quantify changes in expression of surface determinants, and to separate cell population subsets before testing their functional characteristics. For an immunologist it is the dream technology.
If anyone was visiting Yaoundé for the first time, what do you feel are top things they must not leave without experiencing?
If you are visiting Yaoundé, I suggest you visit the National Museum, Mefou National Park, and the Reunification Monument. You must taste Cameroonian food and finally come and see us at the Higher Institute for Scientific and Medical Research.
Recent publications
Djune-Yemeli L, Nana-Djeunga HC, Rush A, Bopda J, et al. (2023) Adverse events, changes in microfilariae density, production cross-reactive antigens and cytokines following ivermectin treatment of loiasis (Plos NTD, In Press).
Djune-Yemeli L, Domché A, Nana-Djeunga HC, Donfo-Azafack C, Lenou-Nanga CG, et al. (2022) Relationship between skin snip and Ov16 ELISA: Two diagnostic tools for onchocerciasis in a focus in Cameroon after two decades of ivermectin-based preventive chemotherapy. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 16(5): e0010380. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010380
Nana-Djeunga, H.C., Djune-Yemeli, L., Domche, A. et al. High infection rates for onchocerciasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in children under five not receiving preventive chemotherapy: a bottleneck to elimination. Infect Dis Poverty 11, 47 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-022-00973-1
