About – ASBCB

African Society for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Stemming from the African Bioinformatics Network (ABioNET), as a result of a WHO sponsored meeting at the South African National Bioinformatics Institute in Cape Town, South Africa on the 13th February 2004, the African Society for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (ASBCB) is a non-profit professional association dedicated to the advancement of bioinformatics and computational biology with a mission to develop the application of bioinformatics in Africa.

The society serves as an international forum and resource devoted to developing competence and expertise in bioinformatics and computational biology. It complements its activities with those of other international and national societies, associations and institutions, public and private, that have similar aims. It also promotes the standing of African bioinformatics and computational biology in the global arena through liaison and cooperation with other international bodies.

Governing Board Structure

Alan Christoffels

South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI)

President

Amel Ghouila

Exaptive

Vice President

Faisal Fadlelmola

Kush Centre for Genomics and Biomedical Informatics

Secretary

Jean-Baka Domelevo Entfellner

International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya

Treasurer

Olaitan Awe

University of Ibadan

Training Officer

Yakubu Bright Biigba

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology

Communications &
Public Relations Officer

Samar El Sheikh

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Canada

Student/Young Scientists Representative

Vision

Promote the exchange of ideas, infrastructure and resources in the fields of bioinformatics and computational biology and facilitate the interaction and collaboration among scientists and educators around the world.

Measurably advance the awareness and understanding of the science of bioinformatics and computational biology. The society represents the bioinformatics and computational biology community in Africa and will be the most respected and reliable international non-profit organization representing this community.

Mission

Be a scholarly society dedicated to advancing, developing and promoting bioinformatics and computational biology in Africa.
Serve a global membership by impacting government and scientific policies, providing high quality publications and meetings, and through distribution of valuable information about training, education, employment and relevant news from related fields.
Develop the application of bioinformatics in Africa in collaboration with individuals, groups and organizations

Objectives

Identify, promote and establish opportunities for networking.
Encourage and develop bioinformatics and computational biology nodes.
Increase awareness and promote the use of bioinformatics and computational biology.
Facilitate access to bioinformatics and computational biology infrastructure.
Promote bioinformatics and computational biology education.