Editor’s note: Giscard hosted our first Advisor event in the Central African Republic!
What is your name and job title?
My Name is Giscard Wilfried Koyaweda.
Job Title – Research Assistant.
Where do you work?
I work as a Research Assistant at the National Laboratory of Clinical Biology and Public Health of Bangui, Central African Republic, in the Molecular Biology Department.
How did you get into your field?
Since childhood, I have always been fascinated by biological sciences and always chose that particular line. When I got to the University in 2012, I studied the Life and Earth sciences in my 1st year, Life Science during the 2nd year and Biochemistry in the 3rd. Immediately after my Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, I got an Internship at Institut Pasteur de Bangui in the Viral Hepatitis Laboratory. This has enabled me to develop more interest in research specifically health sciences.
In 2017, I was awarded the Pan African University scholarship to study a Master’s of science in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. During my Master’s, I worked on molecular virology of the hepatitis B virus in the Central African Republic. After successfully finishing my Master’s degree, I joined the Scientific Team of National Laboratory of Central African Republic.
How long have you been using Mendeley?
I started using Mendeley in 2018.
What were you using prior to Mendeley?
Before, I used to make my references manually.
Why did you decide to become an Advisor?
I have realized that Mendeley (an automated reference manager) is very helpful for research report writing and many students are not aware of this resourceful software. I attended an Advisor training session organized by the Advisor Dr. Yahaya Gavamukulya in 2018, which made me skilled in the software. As a person, I am very passionate about sharing knowledge with others in need. With that background, I have decided to become a Mendeley Advisor so that I can organize official training sessions about the usage of Mendeley to researchers and students who don’t have any knowledge in any reference manager in the Central African Republic and elsewhere.
(Editor’s note: Giscard is the first person to organize a Mendeley event in the Central African Republic! A big congratulations from Team Mendeley.)
What researcher would you like to work with or meet, dead or alive?
I would like to work with Professor Anna Kramvis, a Research Professor and Director of the Hepatitis Virus Diversity Research Unit (HVDRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. I really appreciate her scientific skills and work on the hepatitis B virus. Her primary research interest is the molecular virology of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), especially of uniquely African strains of the virus, which differ from those found in other regions of the world.
What is the best part about working in research?
In research, I enjoy the part of data analysis.
And the most challenging part about working in research?
From my experience conducting research in the area of biology, sample collection is the most challenging part.
What is the one thing you want people to know about Mendeley?
I believe that Mendeley is more than a simple reference manager because it offers the Mendeley Careers and Funding Opportunities.
Do you have any advice for young researchers?
My advice for young researchers is that doing excellent research is not enough to grow scientifically. The results need to be shared with other scientists and in the research community. That will make you grow scientifically.
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Find out more about Giscard by viewing his Mendeley profile.
Interested in becoming a Mendeley Advisor yourself? Find out more about the Advisor Community here.
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