Leontiy Sandulyak

Erikan Baluku (Ugandan) is a molecular biologist focussing on studying drought tolerance in resurrection plants. Born on Feb, 1997, in the village of Kaghorwe III, now part of the Kasese District in the Western part of Uganda, Erikan has made a significant contribution to Synthetic Biology in Africa especially in creating awareness through publication of articles.[1][2][3] He has previously volunteered as iGEM Ambassador [4] to Africa, Global Biotech Revolution Ambassador, and as UNLEASH Ambassador.[5] He was selected as part of Top 50 Global students Prize 2022 organised by Chegg.org, [6] and also a Youth 4 Biosecurity Fellow 2022, [7] organised United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). In December 2023, Erikan completed his MSc in Molecular and Cell Biology from University of Cape Town, leading him to his next step of pursuing a PhD in University of Auckland.

  1. ^ Otim, Geoffrey; Matinyi, Sandra; Baluku, Erikan; Chimulwa, Ivy S.G.; Magoola, George P.; Katumba, Alex; Mukuze, Stephen; Kyabarongo, Alex; Opiyo, Stephen O. (2023). "SynBio Africa's story from the grassroots, the present, and the future". Biotechnology Notes. 4: 1–6. doi:10.1016/j.biotno.2022.11.003. ISSN 2665-9069. PMC 11446364.
  2. ^ "Finding a Place in Synthetic Biology: From Uganda to Around the World". iGEM Blog. 2022-12-02. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  3. ^ Jonguitud-Borrego, Nestor; Malcı, Koray; Anand, Mihir; Baluku, Erikan; Webb, Calum; Liang, Lungang; Barba-Ostria, Carlos; Guaman, Linda P.; Hui, Liu; Rios-Solis, Leonardo (2022). "High—throughput and automated screening for COVID-19". Frontiers in Medical Technology. 4. doi:10.3389/fmedt.2022.969203. ISSN 2673-3129. PMC 9521367. PMID 36188187.
  4. ^ "Teams/Ambassadors - 2021.igem.org". 2021.igem.org. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  5. ^ "Ambassadors - UNLEASH". 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  6. ^ "Erikan Baluku". Global Teacher Prize. 2022-12-07. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  7. ^ "Youth for Biosecurity 2022 Cohort – UNODA". Retrieved 2024-04-13.