Charles Mérieux Center for Infectious Disease  of the Antananarivo University

Prof. Luc Hervé Samison is Vice Dean in charge of the Department of Pharmacy and formerly of International Relations at the Faculty of Medicine of Antananarivo, and has been Director of the Centre for Infectious Disease Charles Mérieux since 2011. Graduated in 1996 as a Medical Doctor (General Surgery option), he specialized in visceral surgery with training in the University of Antananarivo, University Paul Sabatier Toulouse, and University Victor Segalen Bordeaux. He got his diploma of professor agrégé in 2007.

In the biological field, he got his Masters in Medical and Biological Sciences in 2004 with the option biochemistry, bacteriology, and molecular biology. In 2010, he trained instructors in Burkina Faso for the Master Clinical Research modules. He was the trainer of fund raising module in the AFRICARAMI project in Madagascar from 2012 to 2013. He is a permanent member of many research organizations, such as the Malagasy Association of Surgery and the French Association of Surgery.

I have always been attracted to research, especially in the field of health, ever since I entered the university after high school. In October 2019, I was hired at the CICM, where I participate in clinical trials. The results could one day contribute to the eradication of schistosomiasis in Madagascar, and more generally in other countries where the disease is endemic. My job has helped me to develop various management skills (data, storage, and member of the project team at CICM). At a practical level, my work allows me to learn new and more efficient diagnostic techniques (the use of UCP LF technology, POC CCA, PCR, etc.). In addition, many more skills can be learned thanks to the various projects in thecenter. It is a stimulating work environment where the acquisition of knowledge through training, scientific meetings is a priority.

In addition, I have discovered, through my initial teaching experiences, that I want to share and transfer my competencies to future Malagasy scientists

His personal interest in the field of biology began with a special appreciation of science in high school. He was fascinated by the progress of science, and of biology in particular. To pursue his interest, he enrolled in the Science Department of Antananarivo University with a special interest in molecular biology and biochemistry. He applied his experience and his studies to earn a Master’s degree at the Centre d’Infectiologie Charles Mérieux (CICM). For the past 3 years, he has worked as a laboratory technician at the CICM.

He has contributed to various scientific research projects, namely on leprosy, mycology, bacterial meningitis, neuromeningeal cryptococcosis, antimicrobial resistance, papillomavirus, HIV, and HBV. His principal activity deals with research on and surveillance of M. leprae and work on the HILE- HBHA-IGRA for Leprosy (HILE) project. Through these projects, he has benefited from high-level training in bacteriological techniques and molecular biology. He hopes to continue his studies in a graduate program and develop his scientific career. His goal is to become a teacher/researcher and utilize the skills he has learned during his undergraduate studies.

I began my career as a trainee at CICM Madagascar in 2018. My studies were focused particularly on the identification of the environmental source of chromoblastomycosis in the endemic area of Madagascar. I have gained experience in mycology and molecular biology (PCR and sequencing), and I have also participated in all the activities of the center. Through this training, I received my Master 2 degree at the University of Antananarivo. Since November 2018, I have been working in CICM as a laboratory technician responsible for the PEOPLE Project. This project has given me theoretical and practical training on qPCR RLEP and UCP-LFA techniques, and I conduct all laboratory testing, namely Bacilloscopy, Qpcr, and UCP-LFA. However, I have also participated in other activities and projects of the Cent

I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in medical biology that required three years of training in routine biomedical analyses. I have had the chance to work on the Tricycle Projet at the CICM until now. Since 2019, I have been studying at the Andrainjato University in Fianarantsoa to obtain a Master II in molecular biology.

After my baccalaureate, I wanted to become a researcher in the health field. When I obtained my Master’s degree in biochemistry, biodiversity and health, I took on a volunteer job in a medical analysis laboratory at CHU Befelatanana, Antananarivo, and thanks to that experience, I familiarized myself with many medical laboratory techniques (routine analyses). I then had the opportunity to work in a medical laboratory for one year.

Then I wanted to work in a research laboratory where I could apply most of my knowledge, especially in health. I have been working at CICM since October 2019 as a laboratory technician for the Freebily project. This position has greatly helped me to use and develop my skills and abilities. And with this project, I can practice other techniques (UCP LF, POC CCA, extraction, PCR, etc.). This project has given me also the means to get started in research on infectious diseases (bilharzia and the other projects of the center). I would like to participate in the development of our country by fighting against infectious diseases and by becoming a researcher in this field.