My activities on the training: I teach Microbiology and Research Methodology modules at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the two biggest Universities from my country. I have been invited as Guest lecturer in many countries such as Lebanon, Mauritius and Togo. Through a collaboration with The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), I have initiated the establishment of a MsC program in Molecular and Medical Microbiology (https://urmapha-epacuac.bj/index.php/master-en-microbiologie-moleculaire-et-medicale/). This program was set up to prepare some well-trained specialists in Microbiology. Those specialists were very useful for Benin during Lassa’s fever pandemic and the recent COVID-19 outbreak.

research: Through my selection as Young Affiliate of TWAS (2016), I have deeply collaborated, to date, with 150 researchers from more 80 research institutions around the world. I am a founding member of the Research Unit in Applied Microbiology and Pharmacology of natural substances, Research Laboratory in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey Calavi (https://www.facebook.com/URMAPha ; https://youtu.be/YceZr5UgXxE). Annually, more than 150 young scholars are impacted by this lab’s activities. My academic career has been regularly enriched by participation in international workshops and symposia, stays in partner laboratories abroad as well as through funded trainings by various international scientific institutions. From 2015 to date, I won 14 competitive research grants as Principal Investigator or Local Coordinator, one as collaborator and more than 35 travel grants. My research outputs include 6 PhD and 25 Msc graduates, 136 peer-reviewed journal articles, 75 conferences abstracts and 22 popular articles.

One of my research led to the production of 03 phytomedicines called SALM-MTA against salmonellosis. They have been produced since 2019 at the University of Abomey-Calavi (https://aasopenresearch.org/posters/3-10). Recently, with my team, I produced a biopesticide against mosquito’s larvae based on Bacillus thuringiensis (https://devpost.com/software/moscato-for-mosquitoes). Those innovations allowed me to be invited by many some TV stations in Benin and got a special recognition from the Vice-Chancellor of the University. One of my multiple collaborations led to the discovery and sequencing of lytic bacteriophages infecting Acinetobacter baumannii (a bacterium responsible of many therapeutic failures due to its multiresistance to antibiotics) from Beninese wastewater (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/?term=dougnon). Thus, we produced some alternative solutions to that public health’s problem. Regarding my impactful contributions to research, capacity building and sustainable solutions, the Ministry of Higher Education in Benin awarded me with 2016 TWAS National Young Researcher in Benin. The same year, the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) selected me as their Young Ambassador to Science for 03 years before promoting me as their National Ambassador in 2019. After a competitive procedure, I have been also recruited as a member of the Global Young Academy (GYA) in 2019. Since 2018, I am engaged as the President of the Benin Young Academy of Science.

impact on community: I led and contributed to the training of many scholars in science (https://globalyoungacademy.net/first-national-camp-for-young-scientists-held-in-benin/), (https://www.auf.org/nouvelles/actualites/benin-renforcement-de-capacite-dune-quinzaine-de-jeunes-chercheurs-la-pratique-de-publication-darticles/). During the COVID’s crisis in Benin, with my team, we have contributed to the fight against the escalation of hydroalcoholic products by producing them locally at lower price. Also, to promote microbiology among undergraduate students, I produced an e-learning tool available online (https://elearning-uac.bj/) and on Android phones or tablets (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ccap.ccap). I have also been identified by TEDX to give a talk on Contribution of traditional medicine to the development of the nation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR5wy8LpDPo). I campaign for causes of interest in Africa as was the case of the memorandum concerning COVID-19 (https://globalyoungacademy.net/gya-covid-19-statement/) and the fight against predatory journals in developing countries (https://www.interacademies.org/person/victorien-dougnan) where I play a key role. Overall, my research has directly contributed to the achievement of sustainable development goals 1, 3 and 6 which are respectively about No poverty, Good health and well-being, Clean Water and Sanitation. My experiences in administrative responsibility:

As administration is the bedrock of academic and research activities in universities, I have invested in putting my experience and background at the service of several administrations of the University of Abomey-Calavi and other scientific institutions at national level. I am the scientific secretary of the Master program in Molecular and Medical Microbiology, of the Doctoral School Life and Earth Sciences, since 2018. I have successfully contributed to the successful planning of courses, assessments and deliberation activities for the four classes that this training has already experienced. As a founding member of the Research Unit in Applied Microbiology and Pharmacology of Natural Substances (URMAPha), I was the administrative head of projects from 2017 to 2020. Currently, I am the Head of the Unit, responsible for the administrative management and research. Since 2018, I am the President of the Academy of Young Scientists of Benin (AJSB), which allows me to contribute to the scientific policy of Benin, through a community of young scientific elites. Since April 04, 2019, I am in charge of the Distance Learning Division, Centre Autonome de Perfectionnement, Ecole Polytechnique d'Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi. Beyond the daily tasks related to the recruitment of students, course planning, evaluations and deliberations, I contributed to revitalize the division and make it more efficient in terms of capacity building and support to continuing education.

• Éducation
• Environnement
• Santé