Hamidou Ilboudo

Hamidou Ilboudo is a Researcher at the Institute of Research in Health Sciences (IRSS) in Burkina Faso, holding a permanent position at the Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN/URCN) since November 2017. He actively contributes to major research initiatives including CALINA, SMC-RST, and DANIDA projects focused on tropical disease control and public health interventions in West Africa.

Education:

• PhD in Applied Biology and Modeling of Biological Systems, Polytechnic University of Bobo-Dioulasso (2008-2012)
• Master of Science in Medical and Veterinary Entomology, University of Abomey Calavi and University of Montpellier 2 (2006-2007)
• Master of Science in Biochemistry-Microbiology, University of Ouagadougou (2004-2005)
• Bachelor in Biochemistry-Microbiology Applied, University of Ouagadougou (2003-2004)
• 2-year university degree in Chemistry-Biology, University of Ouagadougou (2002-2003)
• Baccalauréat D, scientific section (2000-2001)

Research Focus: Dr. Ilboudo pioneered critical discoveries in Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) research, demonstrating differential immune responses between trypanotolerant individuals and patients. His work identified biomarkers for disease progression versus self-cure and revealed APOL1 kidney disease risk variants' protective role against T.b. rhodesiense and gambiense HAT. He fundamentally challenged the dogma of HAT's 100% fatality rate through evidence of asymptomatic carriers and self-cure mechanisms, contributing directly to WHO's 2030 elimination strategy. Current work extends to malaria chemoprevention and schistosomiasis genetics.

Scientific Recognition:

• ASTMH Travel Award recipient (2015)
• Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting participant (2015)
• IRD Master Fellowship awardee (2006-2007)
• French Embassy PhD Fellowship recipient (2011)

Research Leadership: As Co-Principal Investigator for EDCTP's DiTECT-HAT project (2016-2020) and WAEMU/IRD epidemiological studies (2013-2018), Dr. Ilboudo directed diagnostic tool development and transmission research. Currently serving on DANIDA's Scientific Steering Committee (2021-2025) for climate-health research and as Co-investigator for Expertise France's malaria chemoprevention project (2021-2023), he bridges genomic discoveries with field applications through Wellcome Trust collaborations on trypanosomiasis and schistosomiasis genetics (2014-2022).

Research Infrastructure: Dr. Ilboudo established a critical biobank across HAT-endemic countries through the TrypanoGEN consortium, enabling 300 human genome sequences that informed the H3A SNP chip development. His work integrates laboratory immunology with field epidemiology at CRUN, maintaining strong partnerships with IRD, EDCTP, and West African public health programs for translational impact on disease elimination strategies.