Francis Ssenkuba | Aquatic | Young Scientist Award

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Mr. Francis Ssenkuba | Aquatic | Young Scientist Award 

Mr. Francis Ssenkuba | Aquatic | PhD Researcher at Mbarara University of Science and Technology | Uganda

Aquatic – Mr. Francis Ssenkuba is a dedicated Ugandan biologist whose work focuses on freshwater ecosystems, particularly the parasites, invertebrates, and biodiversity of lakes and lotic systems in Uganda’s rift and forest regions. Born on 16 June 1998 in Kiboga, Uganda, Mr. Francis Ssenkuba earned his Bachelor of Science with Education (Biological) with First Class Honors (2018–2022), then went on to complete a Master of Science in Biology with a specialization in Natural Resources Ecology, Management and Conservation (2023–2024), and is currently pursuing a PhD in Biology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda — his doctoral research centers on point-of-care monitoring of schistosomiasis parasites in Lake Albert (Western Uganda) using environmental DNA (eDNA) loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays. Professionally, Mr. Francis Ssenkuba serves as PhD researcher under the Action towards Reducing Aquatic snail-borne Parasitic diseases (ATRAP) project at Mbarara University (since October 2024), and since May 2022 has also worked as a Research Assistant on a PhD project at Justus Liebig University Giessen (Germany), concerning aquatic biodiversity studies on Lake Albert and Lake Edward. In parallel, from July 2022 onward, he volunteers as a teaching assistant in Hydrobiology and Aquatic Science at the Department of Biology, Mbarara University. Mr. Francis Ssenkuba’s research interests include freshwater ecology and conservation, aquatic macroinvertebrates and molluscs, parasite-host relationships (including schistosomiasis), biodiversity monitoring using molecular methods (eDNA), conservation assessment of threatened species (e.g. molluscs, odonates), and taxonomic inventory of aquatic fauna in tropical African lakes and forest streams. His research skills encompass field sampling of aquatic organisms, environmental DNA metabarcoding and LAMP-based assays, taxonomic identification (macroinvertebrates, molluscs, odonates), ecological survey design, conservation assessment protocols, data analysis for biodiversity and community structure, and project coordination. Mr. Francis Ssenkuba has also secured several research grants — notably as Principal Investigator for a conservation assessment of endemic threatened Odonate species in the Albertine Rift (Echuya Forest Reserve and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park) funded by Rufford Foundation (≈ US$10,491, ongoing since September 2025), and a mollusc and crustacean inventory in Lakes Mutanda and Bunyonyi (Southwestern Uganda) funded via Save Our Species / Conservation Action Fund (≈ US$7,528, 2023–2024). He contributed as a team member in a project rediscovering critically endangered gastropods in Lakes Edward and Albert (Rufford-funded), and also led a short-term survey of odonates in Afromontane forests (Rufford grant ~ US$7,516, 2023). Through these efforts, Mr. Francis Ssenkuba has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to bridging molecular ecology, traditional taxonomy and conservation science to safeguard freshwater biodiversity. In conclusion, Mr. Francis Ssenkuba represents a new generation of aquatic conservationists combining rigorous academic training, hands-on field and molecular research, and active conservation engagement; his work not only enhances scientific understanding of Uganda’s ragged freshwater ecosystems but also contributes critically needed baseline data and conservation assessments that can inform future management and policy — thereby embodying the promise of impactful, ecosystem-oriented science for tropical freshwater conservation.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Bálint, M., Tumusiime, J., Nakintu, J., Baranski, D., Schardt, L., Romahn, J., Dusabe, M.-C., Tolo, C. U., Kagoro, G. R., & Ssenkuba, F. (2024). Environmental DNA barcoding reveals general biodiversity patterns in the large tropical rift Lake Albert. Science of the Total Environment.
Ssenkuba, F., Komujuni, C., & Tumusiime, J. (2022). In vitro anthelmintic activity of Leonotis nepetifolia ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts on Fasciola gigantica. Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, 14(4), 82–90.
Ssenkuba, F., Tumusiime, J., Akite, P., Toloa, E., Ndimulodi, J., Dusabe, C., Albrecht, C., & Kagoro, G. (2025). Unveiling Management Implications for Odonata Assemblages in Tropical Rain Forests of the Albertine Rift, Uganda. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems.

 

Tae Sung Jung | Aquatic | Innovative Research Award

Published on by Academic Achievements

Prof. Dr. Tae Sung Jung | Aquatic | Innovative Research Award 

Prof. Dr. Tae Sung Jung | Aquatic | Professsor at Gyeongsang National University, South Korea

Prof. Dr. Tae Sung Jung is a highly accomplished scholar and researcher in aquatic veterinary science, currently serving as a Professor at the Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, South Korea. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Aquaculture from the University of Stirling, United Kingdom, a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Fisheries Science from Hokkaido University, Japan, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) from Seoul National University, Korea. With an extensive academic and research background, Prof. Dr. Tae Sung Jung has made groundbreaking contributions to fish immunology, aquatic disease prevention, and vaccine development. His professional career includes prior work as a researcher at the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service, Korea, and over two decades of teaching and mentoring at Gyeongsang National University. His research focuses on discovering new biomarkers using variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs) of hagfish, developing passive immune vaccines with yeast and protozoa expression systems, and exploring antibiotic resistance in aquatic pathogens. His technical skills span molecular immunology, vaccine formulation, biomarker discovery, and microbial diagnostics. Prof. Dr. Tae Sung Jung is an active member of international scientific communities including the American Fisheries Society, European Association of Fish Pathologists, and the Asian Fisheries Society-Fish Health Section, and has served on editorial boards for leading journals such as Vaccines, Frontiers in Immunology, and the Journal of Veterinary Science. Recognized with the Korean Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Award, he has also led prestigious national and international research projects like Brain Korea 21+ and the World Class University Project. Through his dedication, innovation, and global collaborations, Prof. Dr. Tae Sung Jung continues to shape the future of aquatic animal health and fish immunology with an enduring commitment to advancing sustainable aquaculture and veterinary research.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  1. Jung, T. S. (2024). Modeling of FAK-PROTAC candidates from GSK2256098 analogs for targeted protein degradation. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 740, 151001. (Citations: 6)

  2. Jung, T. S. (2024). Inhibition of melanogenesis via passive immune targeted alpha-MSH binder polypeptide. Cosmetics, 12(1), 12. (Citations: 5)

  3. Jung, T. S. (2024). Screening and characterization of sialic acid-binding variable lymphocyte receptors from hagfish. BioTech, 13(4), 46. (Citations: 7)

  4. Jung, T. S. (2024). Passive immunoprophylaxis with Ccombodies against Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). Fish & Shellfish Immunology, 109973. (Citations: 9)

  5. Jung, T. S. (2024). Uncovering potential CDK9 inhibitors from natural compound databases through docking-based virtual screening and MD simulations. Journal of Molecular Modeling, 30(8), 267. (Citations: 10)

  6. Jung, T. S. (2024). Unveiling the mechanisms underlying the immunotherapeutic potential of gene–miRNA and drugs in head and neck cancer. Pharmaceuticals, 17(7), 921. (Citations: 8)

  7. Jung, T. S. (2024). Leveraging the biotechnological promise of the hagfish variable lymphocyte receptors: tools for aquatic microbial diseases. Fish & Shellfish Immunology, 109565. (Citations: 12)