GRACE KORKOR ABABIO
Biography
I am a well-focused, diligent and dynamic young lady who has a keen interest in advancing herself in Academia and in Science. My main focus is on BIOMARKERS AND DISEASES. I have a broad background in medical biochemistry, having taught several different courses in the field. I also have specific training and expertise in key research areas of biostatistics, bioinformatics, physiology, psychology, molecular biology and biomarkers, genetics and more recently in cardiovascular. As a research fellow at University of Botswana and University of Namibia, I trained young researchers on DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. As a PI, I laid the groundwork for some of the proposed research on this CV. In addition, as a Team Player, I have successfully administered projects in collaboration with other researchers; in this regard, I am aware of the importance of frequent communication among project team members and of constructing a realistic research plan, timeline, and budget for data management. I also know and appreciate the importance of good time management skills in making time for both lecturing students and research without neglecting either. During 2007 - 2008, my career was disrupted due to extended-family care responsibilities. However, upon returning to the field I immediately resumed lecturing, and continued with my research projects and collaborations till date. My first involvement in pain research was during MPhiL project on haptoglobin polymorphism and diabetes mellitus in Ghana in year 2005. This study showed for the first time that haptoglobin 2 allele was a high risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes in Ghana and it was associated with hypertension and a probable risk for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Between the periods 2009 to 2012 I undertook a PhD study titled: Genetic polymorphism associated with phenotypic diversity in Ghanaian sickle cell patients. The study identified nine (9) haplotypes within the Ghanaian population for the first time and the haplotypes conferred variable degrees of disease severity based on the core HbS, C or A bearing chromosome and the presence of cis - acting elements.
Research Interest
Biomarkers and diseases, biostatistics, bioinformatics, physiology, psychology, molecular biology and biomarkers, genetics and more recently in cardiovascular
