Conserve to Nourish: Harnessing the Guinea Fowl Microbiome for Food Security Global Fellow Seminar- Dr Edwige Some. Please come along for a light lunch and seminar by our guest visiting from Burkina Faso.

This seminar presents the research journey and vision of Dr. Edwige Some, an awardee of the University of St Andrews Global Fellowship, and member of the multinational Guinea Fowl Research Network coordinated by Prof. Karen Spencer. Dr. Some's scientific trajectory bridges foundational microbial ecology and applied food security. Her doctoral and post-doctoral research used metagenomics and bioinformatics to map microbial communities in challenging environments, building skills in molecular analysis. She has since applied these skills to food safety and nutrition research in West Africa. This path has culminated in her current, critical focus: leveraging this unique expertise to address food security through the conservation and sustainable farming of the indigenous guinea fowl (Numida meleagris).
Dr. Some will introduce her integrative research plan, which positions the gut microbiome as a central lever for enhancing poultry health, productivity, and resilience. Her work is structured around three synergistic pillars: (1) mapping the core microbiome across regions; (2) tailoring local feeds to boost gut health and growth; and (3) mitigating pathogens and antimicrobial resistance through farm hygiene.

This integrated project plan will translate her methodological background into a direct, actionable project to support poultry health and community resilience, with designed benefits for women and smallholder farmers.
Join us to explore how microbiome research could be mobilised to conserve biodiversity, nourish communities, and build lasting research bridges between Scotland and West Africa.

We will provide a light lunch at 12.30 so you can meet Dr Some and then the seminar will commence at 13.00. Please obtain a ticket so we know how many will be attending. All welcome!