Professor Louis-Albert Tchuem Tchuenté
Louis-Albert Tchuem Tchuenté is Professor of Parasitology at the University of Yaoundé I, founding Director of the research Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology, Coordinator of the National Programme for the Control of Schistosomiasis and Intestinal Helminthiasis, Coordinator of the COUNTDOWN Project on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Cameroon, Inspector for Medical and Paramedical Services at the Ministry of Public Health, NTD Ambassador – LSTM, Global Schistosomiasis Alliance Ambassador.
He has over 35 years of extensive working experience in various aspects of management, research and control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, with a main focus on schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis. Through his scientific discoveries, he contributed to a better knowledge of the reproductive biology of schistosomes. Indeed, he was the first scientist who succeeded in demonstrating that the adult schistosome worm pairs have a vibrant capacity to exchange mates, totally overturning the monogamous dogma at that time (early 1990’s). His work was a significant step to elucidate the relationships of different schistosome species and to demonstrate the occurrence of mating competitions and their impact on the dynamics of natural transmission and epidemiology of schistosomiasis. He provided new insights on the precision mapping of schistosomiasis and the transition from control to elimination. He provided strategic direction and built high political commitments for the control of NTDs in Cameroon, with significant achievements.
Between 2012-2015, he joined the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa where he worked as focal person for preventive chemotherapy NTDs and provided technical assistance to African countries. He served as focal point for the China-Africa collaboration for the elimination of schistosomiasis in Africa. He significantly contributed to the establishment of Institution-based Network on China-Africa Cooperation for Schistosomiasis Elimination (INCAS).
Prof. Tchuem Tchuenté is member of several international Advisory Committees, and is on the editorial board of several international journals. He serves as NTD Ambassador, Global Schistosomiasis Alliance Ambassador, the Regional Adviser for Africa of the UK Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and NTD expert for the World Health Organization. He has published over 120 papers in peer-reviewed journals. He received several awards and distinctions, and was raised to the dignity of Commander of the National Order of Valour of Cameroon in 2016.