Guest Post: From an AuthorAID Travel Grant Recipient

[This post is by Ryan Musumba Awori, of the Kenya National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation. Thank you, Ryan! —Barbara]

I am exceedingly grateful to INASP for awarding me an AuthorAID travel grant to attend the 2015 Antimicrobial Peptides Gordon Research Conference in Barga, Italy, from May 2–8. My attendance was nothing short of a dream come true.

The Gordon Research Conference (GRC) is the premier meeting on scientific research in the world. This is where the frontiers of science are made known to the world by the pioneers themselves. This year’s Antimicrobial Peptides GRC was nothing short of that. Unequivocally, it was tremendously beneficial to all who came.

In my case, I got to know the next-generation methods and technologies for drug development. As the need for new medicines increases, new methods of making them must be developed. These ensure more efficient and precise medicines. I lead a research team in drug development in Kenya.

Because of my GRC attendance, I am now steering my team into these technologies. Ultimately this will ensure global excellence. At the same time, new knowledge and skills are being passed on, resulting in the capacity building of the team.

However, the greatest thing about the GRC for me was the people. First of all, the organizers, who wholeheartedly gave themselves to running the event. No wonder it was a success. Secondly, the attendees, who were simply inspiring. I got a chance to meet amazing people whose goodness of life and character was equaled only by the work they were doing. They made the GRC a wonderful time for me, filled with laughter and smiles. Joy fills me up at the memory of my friends from the conference.

I am glad to have attended the GRC 2015. It was a life-changing experience that greatly encouraged me. Without a doubt, my scientific career is on a bright new path.