Reflections on My Placement in Malaysia: A Journey of Science, Learning, and Cultural Discovery
By Kinako Denis Elia Dazangapai
As an early-career scientist with a passion for infectious disease genomics, the opportunity to learn directly from experts in the field is incredibly valuable to me. Being selected for the WaSPP International Placement Programme hosted at Universiti Malaya allowed me to gain hands-on training in molecular diagnostics for wastewater surveillance and work alongside experts leading the way in the field.
But it was much more than that.
I travelled thousands of miles from Ghana to Malaysia fully expecting to learn new laboratory techniques and gain experience in wastewater surveillance—an increasingly vital tool for preventing pandemics and preparing for public health emergencies. What I discovered was an experience that extended beyond scientific learning, offering valuable lessons from the people I met, the research environment I worked in, and the culture that shaped daily life around me.
An experience outside my textbooks
Under the guidance of Professor Chan Yoke Fun and her research team at the Universiti Malaya, I received intensive hands-on training in molecular cloning, in vitro RNA transcription, wastewater environmental surveillance, Oxford Nanopore metagenomics, and bioinformatics analysis. I also took part in workshops focused on statistical analysis using SPSS and the use of AI in academic writing and its ethical challenges in research, equipping me to responsibly apply AI tools when preparing manuscripts from the wastewater surveillance work.
Given the growing global efforts to strengthen disease surveillance and prepare for future public health threats, it was very important for me to deepen my understanding of the crucial role laboratory science plays in safeguarding communities. Throughout my placement, I realised that there was always a clear link between the laboratory work and its broader public health application. Hence, producing positive-control RNA transcripts, analysing sequencing data, and mastering wastewater surveillance protocols were not just routine lab tasks; they were techniques that enhanced our ability to detect and monitor infectious diseases before they could spread widely.
Learn, document, adapt
This placement also pushed me to think beyond just picking up new technical skills. During my time in Malaysia, I was constantly thinking about how I could adapt and apply what I learned to the Genomic and Infectious Disease Laboratory (GIDL) back in Ghana. In particular, I saw immense value in bringing back the techniques for cloning viral pathogens and preparing RNA transcripts of priority pathogens, which can serve as reliable positive controls for our diagnostic assays at GIDL.
I was also excited about introducing metagenomic approaches for wastewater surveillance, which would allow us to detect unknown or emerging pathogens circulating within our communities, rather than relying solely on targeted testing for known agents. I made sure to document all the protocols, list out the necessary equipment and reagents, and create plans to share this knowledge with my colleagues once I returned home. For me, it was important to share the knowledge I gained to support local efforts in genomic surveillance in Ghana.
Loading colony PCR products onto an agarose gel to screen for viral gene inserts Preparing colony PCR master mix to screen for cloned viral genes
L: Loading colony PCR products onto an agarose gel to screen for viral gene inserts. R: Preparing colony PCR master mix to screen for cloned viral genes
Adventures outside the lab
Outside the lab, I explored Kuala Lumpur: I walked around the city, visited the Petronas Twin Towers, and explored the diverse culture of the country and experienced its unique traditions. As a food lover, I especially enjoyed sampling dishes from the Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities. I ate my way through Nasi Lemak, Nasi Kandar, and freshly made Roti Canai, which brought back memories of East African chapati. I even tried exotic fruits like the durian, sweet rambutan, and mangosteen.
L: At the Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur R: At the Batu Caves.
One weekend, I ventured to the historic Batu Caves, a cultural gem of Malaysia. Climbing the 272 vibrant steps to the Temple Cave was both a challenge and a joy. Standing in front of the towering 140-foot golden statue of Lord Murugan and exploring the ancient limestone caves gave me a captivating insight into Malaysia's rich cultural and religious heritage. Along the way, I even saw cheeky long-tailed macaques, but thankfully my bags were zipped!
Taking it all home
From my very first day at Universiti Malaya, I was welcomed into a curious, collaborative, and intellectually stimulating environment. While I was eager to return home and start applying everything I had learned, a part of me wished I could stay a bit longer. And as my placement came to an end, I was confident I was returning to Ghana with so much more than just lab protocols and technical skills. I was heading back with fresh scientific insights, international connections, lasting friendships, and a renewed appreciation for the vital role of global partnerships in advancing public health research.
I am incredibly thankful to the WaSPP Consortium for their commitment to nurturing early-career scientists through this international placement programme. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Professor Chan Yoke Fun and the entire Universiti Malaya team for their generous mentorship, patience, and warm hospitality during my time there. I am grateful to my home supervisor, Dr. Michael Owusu, for the support, encouragement, and guidance throughout my placement.
About the Programme
The WaSPP International Placement Scheme is a mentorship and research exchange programme for junior scientists working in wastewater environmental surveillance and pathogen genomics within the WaSPP consortium.
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