Sassum Badgie

Sassum Badgie is a Gambian Scientific Officer at the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRCG at LSHTM), driven by a commitment to strengthening his country’s health research capacity and promoting evidence-based disease prevention. This vision underpins his work at the intersection of diagnostics and public health.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Global Health Research at the University of Oxford as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar. His academic dedication has been recognised with awards including the AfOx and Sub-Saharan Africa and the Petroleum Development Corporation (SPDC) scholarships.

Professionally, he contributes to major studies under the Disease Control and Elimination theme and the Nutrition and Planetary Health theme. A key project he supports is EDEN-INDiGO (Early-life Dietary Exposures and Nutrition – Intrauterine and Neonatal Determinants of Infant Growth Outcomes), which investigates how maternal nutrition influences fetal and childhood development. Beyond laboratory work, he is actively engaged in community health outreach, translating research into practice by educating families in rural Gambia on diet, hygiene, and preventive care. He also mentors young science students and enjoys exploring the synergy between traditional diets and modern nutrition science.

During his time at Oxford, he hopes to expand his global perspective, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and refine the skills needed to translate research into tangible health impact for communities like his own.