Who are you?

I am Marilyne Aza-Gnandji. I am from Benin. I have been living in Dakar since 2011, where I began to study medicine. Then I got a master's degree in bioinformatics. I am here in France, in Montpellier, to get a PhD in bioinformatics.

Why do you attend the YASE meeting?

I am here because I am interested in contributing to the improvement of scientific research in Africa, particularly in Senegal and Benin, where I come from. I'm here to learn, to see how it works, how information flows, what's already in place, what's being done. Because, as they said in the presentations, everyone in their own laboratory is sometimes cut off from essential information that can help us in our future scientific careers.

What do you take from this meeting?

I learned a lot about the structures that are already in place. And what is already being done, the scientific discoveries. I have also established relationships with people who are experiencing the same challenges as me. Today, at the end of this conference, I am much more confident about the future of scientific research in Africa.

Interview by Jean-Bruno Tagne