Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Virologist
Virus research — highly relevant post-COVID and for Africa
What this life looks like
You study the world's smallest infectious agents — viruses — and work to understand, detect, and defeat them. Virologists are at the frontline of Africa's battles against Ebola, HIV, COVID-19, yellow fever, and dozens of other viral diseases that shape the health of the continent.
What she actually does
You study how viruses replicate, mutate, and cause disease; develop diagnostic tests for viral infections; test antiviral drugs and vaccines; investigate viral outbreaks; sequence viral genomes to track spread; run biosafety level laboratories; and work with public health agencies to contain outbreaks.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Research Institutes | NICD South Africa, KEMRI Kenya, UVRI Uganda, MRC Gambia, Lagos University Teaching Hospital |
| International Health Organisations | WHO Africa, CDC Africa, Africa CDC, MSF outbreak response teams |
| Pharmaceutical Companies | Antiviral drug and vaccine development programmes across Africa |
| Universities | Academic virology research departments at African universities |
Why it matters in Africa
Africa has been the origin or epicentre of multiple major viral outbreaks including Ebola, Marburg, and HIV. African virologists studying these pathogens in the places where they emerge are building scientific knowledge that protects the entire world. Post-COVID, there is unprecedented investment in African viral surveillance and research capacity.
Your pathway in
- Study Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics at school
- Study Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, or Medicine at university
- Pursue a postgraduate research degree — a PhD is typically required for virology research
- Gain laboratory experience in biosafety level 2 and 3 environments
- Engage with African virology research networks through Africa CDC at africacdc.org
Skills you will need
- Virology laboratory techniques (BSL-2 and BSL-3)
- Genomic sequencing and analysis
- Cell culture for virus propagation
- Biosafety protocols
- Data analysis and scientific writing
- Public health communication
A woman in this field
Dr. Adesola Yinka-Ogunleye
Nigeria
Adesola is a virologist and epidemiologist at Nigeria's NCDC who has led outbreak investigations for COVID-19, Lassa fever, and other viral diseases in Nigeria. Her frontline public health virology work — conducted in real communities during real outbreaks — represents the daily, life-saving impact of African virologists and has made her one of Nigeria's most recognised public health scientists.
Take your first step
- Study Biology and Chemistry deeply at school
- Research microbiology or biomedical science programmes at universities in your country
- Follow Africa CDC and NCDC to understand how viral outbreaks are monitored and managed
- Read about the discovery of the Ebola virus and the scientists who identified it