Two MASHA-affiliated MMALA PhD students awarded Bayer Foundation Fellowships

Two MMALA PhD students, Sena Alohoutade and Hilja Hambeleleni Eelu, have recently been awarded prestigious Bayer Foundation fellowships. Sena received a Climate and Health Fellowship, while Hilja was awarded a Medical Science Fellowship. Two PhD students from the Mathematical Modelling for Africa (MMALA) programme, part of the Modelling and Simulation Hub, Africa (MASHA) research community at UCT, Sena Alohoutade and Hilja Hambeleleni Eelu, have recently been awarded prestigious Bayer Foundation fellowships. Sena received a Climate and Health Fellowship, while Hilja was awarded a Medical Science Fellowship.

The fellowships will support international research placements in Germany of up to six months, allowing both students to build on their current PhD research at the Modelling and Simulation Hub, Africa (MASHA).

The Bayer Foundation Fellowships support outstanding students and early-career researchers in pursuing international research projects and placements, providing opportunities to expand their research experience and strengthen international scientific networks.

Modelling the path to malaria elimination in Benin

Sena's PhD research uses mathematical modelling to identify the most effective and cost-effective combination of interventions to accelerate malaria elimination in Benin.

During her placement in Germany, she will build on this work while further developing her expertise in infectious disease dynamics, climate-informed modelling and vaccine impact modelling.

From malaria genomics to outbreak prediction

Hilja's research focuses on using modelling and genomic data to optimise malaria interventions and support elimination along Namibia's borders with Angola and Zambia.

During her placement, she plans to expand her research by using machine learning to predict potential malaria outbreak hotspots using environmental and case data.

Congratulations to all the 2026 Bayer Foundation Fellows, and especially to Sena and Hilja!

At MASHA, we are delighted to see our students take on new opportunities, expand their research experience and become part of wider international scientific communities. We look forward to seeing where these exciting next chapters in their PhD journeys will take them.