Public Health Alliance for Genomic Epidemiology - PHA4GE

06/08/2026

PHA4GE is pleased to spotlight Dr Stephanie van Wyk, who has been appointed to chair PHA4GE’s newly established Funding Committee.

An accomplished molecular biologist, bioinformatician and malaria researcher, Dr van Wyk brings a wealth of experience and a collaborative vision to the role. As funding landscapes continue to evolve, she sees this as an opportunity to explore new approaches, strengthen partnerships and help support PHA4GE’s long-term sustainability.

Read more about Dr van Wyk’s journey, her vision for the committee and how PHA4GE is adapting to a changing funding landscape.

🔗 Read the full article: https://pha4ge.org/articles/malaria-researcher-helms-pha4ges-new-funding-committee/

Dr Stephanie van Wyk, a malaria researcher and bioinformatician at the University of Cape Town, leads PHA4GE’s new funding committee as it explores collaborative and innovative approaches to public health research funding.

04/08/2026

🧬 What exactly is a genome?

In this edition of Genomics Explained, we explore what a genome is, why it matters and how it helps us better understand pathogens and strengthen public health.

03/08/2026

🧬 How can structural biology strengthen pathogen genomics and biomedical research in Africa?

In Episode 19 of the PHA4GE Genomic Horizons Webinar Series, Justice Ohene Amofa from the Noguchi Memorial Institute For Medical Research, University of Ghana, will explore how BioStruct-Africa is helping build the next generation of structural biologists across Africa.

Learn how structural biology, structural bioinformatics, and AI-enabled computational approaches are supporting pathogen genomics, biomedical research and innovation.

📅 19 August 2026
🕒 14:00–15:00 UTC

📍 Register via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_538LZU33TL2zSz9F3ITVtQ #/registration

28/07/2026

🧬 Genomics Explained | RNA

DNA may store the genetic instructions, but RNA helps put those instructions into action.

In this edition of Genomics Explained, we explore what RNA is, why it matters, and the important role it plays in pathogen genomics. Understanding these building blocks helps us better appreciate how genomics supports disease surveillance and public health.

21/07/2026

🧬 Genomics Explained | DNA

DNA is often called the blueprint of life, but it’s much more than that.

In this edition of Genomics Explained, we break down what DNA is, why it matters, and the role it plays in pathogen genomics. Understanding these concepts helps us better appreciate how genomics supports disease surveillance and strengthens public health.

20/07/2026

🌍 Making Health Data Work Across Borders

What begins as a national initiative can have a global impact.

In this short clip, Dr Emma Griffiths and Dr Charlotte Barclay share how the Integrated Rapid Infectious Disease Analysis (IRIDA) platform, originally developed to support public health in Canada, became an example of how shared data standards and international collaboration can extend the impact of health data far beyond national borders.

By working with organisations such as PHA4GE, they highlight how interoperable genomic data enables countries to learn from one another, strengthen disease surveillance, and ensure that the benefits of health data are shared globally.



Simon Fraser University Public Health Agency of Canada

17/07/2026

🌍 Global health data should work for everyone.

Unequal access to health data can reinforce data colonialism, limiting the ability of countries to respond effectively to public health threats.

In this short clip, Dr Finlay Maguire explains why standardising health data is essential for accurate surveillance, informed risk management, and tracking emerging diseases such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Building accessible and interoperable data systems helps strengthen global collaboration and improve public health outcomes for all.

🎥 Watch the full video here: https://youtube.com/shorts/zwgUU7f5ZKM?si=h-MmRgzOxqD4q9pc

Unequal access to health data fuels 'data colonialism.' We must sta...

14/07/2026

🧬 Genomics Explained #02

What exactly is a pathogen?

Our Genomics Explained series breaks down complex genomics and public health terms into simple, easy-to-understand explanations.

This week, we’re exploring Pathogens—what they are, why they matter, and the role they play in protecting public health.

13/07/2026

🧬 Genomics Training

Learning genomics isn’t just about gaining knowledge—it’s about learning with purpose.

In this short clip, Dr Alice Matimba shares why defining your learning goals and understanding your why can help you make the most of your time, especially in fast-moving fields like genomics and bioinformatics.

07/07/2026

🧬 Introducing Genomics Explained

A new educational series that breaks down complex genomics and public health terms into simple, easy-to-understand explanations.

We’re kicking things off with wastewater surveillance—an important tool that helps monitor disease activity within communities and plays a vital role in public health.