Title: Investigating the Impact of PFAS on Infant Immune Response to Hepatitis B Vaccination
By Julie Leibach
Early Inspiration and Pursuit of Public Health Research
Immunologist Ouambo Fotso Herve, Ph.D., was driven by a personal tragedy to pursue a career in public health research. After losing his father to cancer as a teenager, Herve was inspired to honor his father’s memory by dedicating himself to finding solutions to eradicate diseases. His journey led him to earn dual master’s degrees in animal and human physiology and clinical immunology, followed by a Ph.D. in chemical pathology from the University of Buea in Cameroon.
Global Health Research at IRCCB
Currently a post-doctoral researcher at the Chantal Biya International Reference Centre (IRCCB) in Yaounde, Cameroon, Herve works on investigating infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. The center’s collaboration with researchers worldwide and state-of-the-art equipment have provided a fertile ground for Herve’s research endeavors.
Exploring PFAS and Infant Immune Response
As a recipient of the GloCal Health Fellowship, Herve’s current research focuses on how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) impact infants’ immune response to hepatitis B vaccination. These chemicals, commonly found in everyday consumer products, have been linked to various health effects, including altered immune function and cancer. Herve’s study stemmed from his doctoral research on improving vaccines against malaria and aims to uncover potential correlations between PFAS exposure and vaccine effectiveness.
Building Trust and Community Engagement
Recruiting study participants in Cameroon was challenging due to a lack of awareness about PFAS. To bridge this gap, Herve plans to launch a community engagement campaign to raise awareness about environmental chemicals and their potential health impacts. He believes that face-to-face conversations with the public are crucial for improving public health outcomes.
Future Directions and Collaborative Research
After completing his fellowship, Herve intends to continue his research on infectious diseases, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across the health system. He stresses the need for researchers to work together to achieve meaningful results in improving public health.
Key Takeaways
Through his research on PFAS and infant immune response to vaccination, Herve exemplifies the importance of addressing environmental factors in public health. By raising awareness and fostering collaboration, he aims to make a significant impact on global health outcomes. Moving forward, Herve’s work serves as a reminder of the power of interdisciplinary research and community engagement in tackling complex health challenges.
