Scientific Day 2026

This year, Epicentre’s Scientific Day took place on June 4, 2026. The celebrated Epicentre’s 40th anniversary: four decades of epidemiological expertise and steadfast commitment to supporting humanitarian action.

Moderators: Emmanuel Baron, former Director of Epicentre (2008-2023), and Cathy Hewison, Head of the MSF TB Working Group 

• Finding tuberculosis in children with severe acute malnutrition: a multi-country observational study | Muhammad Bashir Abdullahi, Medical doctor, MSF Nigeria | Read the abstract | Watch the video
• Evaluation of AI-based computer-aided detection for chest X-ray interpretation for TB diagnosis in children | Juno Min, Diagnostic Imaging Advisor at MSF | Read the abstract | Watch the video
• Shortening the path to cure: Insights from implementing a 4‑Month TB regimen for children in Uganda and the Philippines | Danica Galvan, Medical research manager, MSF Philippines & Cecilia Akatukwasa, Qualitative researcher, Epicentre Uganda | Read the abstract | Watch the video

Moderators:  Rebecca Grais, Director of the Pasteur Network and former Director of Research at Epicentre (2008-2022) & Christopher Mambula, Program Manager for MSF OCP in the DRC, CAR, Malawi, and Uganda

• Incidence of Lassa fever disease in hotspot communities of West Africa: insights from the Enable programme | Laura Cooper, Epidemiologist, Epicentre | Read the abstract 
• Heterogeneity and Determinants of Ebola Transmission: insights from the 10th DRC outbreak | Hugo Soubrier, Epidemiologist, Epicentre | Read the abstract | Watch the video

Moderators: Claire Rieux, Director of the Medical Department at MSF OCP, and Klaudia Porten, Director of Epicentre

• Real-World evidence on uptake and persistent use of long-acting injectable Cabotegravir (CAB-LA) offered as HIV prevention alternative in female sex work hotspots, Malawi | Caoimhe O’Regan, Epidemiologist, Epicentre Malawi | Read the abstract | Watch the video
• Novel screening and triage approach to detect cervical precancer with HPV extended genotyping and AI-automated visual evaluation (PAVE) | Silvia De Sanjosé, PI of the NCI AVE Network project | Read the abstract | Watch the video
• Feasibility and acceptability of hydroxyurea-based treatment for children with Sickle Cell Disease in remote rural areas of Niger, 2024–2026 | Delphine Sauvageot, Epidemiologist & Fara Temessadouno, Epidemiologist, Epicentre Dakar | Read the abstract | Watch the video
• Healthcare-associated infections: a new tool for surveillance and alerts under development  | Jasper Kim Wagan, Infection Prevention and Control Advisor, MSF | Read the abstract | Watch the video

Moderators: Dominique Legros, former Director of Epicentre (1999-2003) & Carole Deglise, Head of Emergency Preparedness and Support Unit MSF OCG

• Cholera dynamics and impact of preventive vaccine in endemic zones of DRC, 2021-2026 | Eve Rahbe, Epidemiologist, Epicentre | Read the abstract | Watch the video
• Immune Response to a Delayed Second Dose of Oral Cholera Vaccine: A randomized, controlled, non-inferiority and immunogenicity trial in Conakry, Guinea | Fabienne Nackers, Epidemiologist, Epicentre | Read the abstract | Watch the video

Moderators: Vincent Brown, former Director of Epicentre (2003-2007) & Guyguy Manangama, deputy director of operations for MSF OCP 

• Evaluation of the Efficacy of the Nm5CV Vaccine in Niger | Medard Djedanem, Epidemiologist, Epicentre Niger | Read the abstract | Watch the video
• Developing locally-adapted measles vaccination strategies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo | Camille Fortas, Epidemiologist, Epicentre & Neema Musyenene, Epidemiologist, Epicentre RDC | Read the abstract | Watch the video

• Estimating mortality and violence in conflict zone | Etienne Gignoux, Director of the Department of Interventional Epidemiology and Training, Epicentre | Watch the video
• Patterns of trauma and burn injuries and their management outcomes in the Gaza Strip: A retrospective cohort analysis, May 2024–June 2025 | Joma Younis, Operational Research Focal Point Gaza, MSF France | Read the abstract | Watch the video

Followed by a discussion with 

• Alain Moren, Medical epidemiologist and former director of Epicentre (1987-1995)
• Javid Abdelmoneim, Emergency physician and international president of MSF
• Etienne Gignoux, Epidemiologist and Director of the Department of Interventional Epidemiology and Training at Epicentre

• Javid Abdelmoneim, Emergency doctor and international president of MSF
• Klaudia Porten, Executive Director of Epicentre

Abstract booklet