Groundbreaking researcher Balagaddé comes home to MU
Groundbreaking researcher and Manchester University graduate Frederick Balagaddé will speak at MU campuses during his visit the week of Oct. 18.
While at the California Institute of Technology, Balagaddé invented the microchemostat, a cellphone-sized device that mimics biological cell culture environment in a highly complex web of tiny pump and hair-sized water hoses, all controlled by a multitasking computer.
“Africa suffers the overwhelming brunt of global disease.” says Balagaddé, who graduated from Manchester in 2001 with degrees in physics and computer science. Balagaddé experienced this suffering firsthand in the 1990s, when his hometown in Uganda was swept over by HIV.
“What begins as a tragedy in a Third World country could easily become a global problem.” He said. Upon graduation, Balagaddé spent two years as a research scientist at Stanford University and did his doctoral studies in applied physics at Cal Tech.
Today, Balagaddé is an assistant investigator at Kwazulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV. K-RITH is a key place for scientific discovery and translation of research into diagnostics and treatments for these global killers.
"I am passionate about the future of Africa,” Balagaddé adds.
He will speak in Cordier Auditorium at the North Manchester campus in a Tuesday, Oct. 20, program, Living in a Field of Dreams, that is free and open to the public. http://www.manchester.edu/News/BalagaddeVIA2015.htm
He will also offer a seminar on his work at the Fort Wayne campus at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21. The campus, 10627 Diebold Road, is just east of Interstate 69 at the Dupont Road exit. The seminar is free and open to the public. He will give a presentation at noon to students that day as well. It is not open to the public.
The University will award Balagaddé at Manchester’s Homecoming and Family Weekend 2015 with the Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award. Lisa Updike Starks, a Fort Wayne attorney, will also be honored. http://www.manchester.edu/News/YoungAlumniAward2015.htm
An Evening with Dr. Fredrick Balagadde’
Balagadde’ will speak with MU students from 8 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Intercultural Center at the North Manchester campus.
This will allow students to have one-on-one interaction with him. He will speak about life after Manchester University and how he used what he learned to make an impact in the African continent as well as the rest of the world. This is open only to members of the Manchester community.
For the media: To arrange an interview with Balagaddé or for more information about the programs, contact: Joseph Bonnarens, associate dean for Student Affairs, jkbonnarens@manchester.edu, 260-470-2703
October 14, 2015