Global Scholars Projects: Yusuf Danasabe Jobbi, MS, MSc

About the Global Scholars Project

Sickle cell disease (SCD) and other hemoglobinopathies are the most prevalent genetic disorders globally. Sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest burden, with Nigeria recording over 150,000 new SCD births annually, making it the most affected country worldwide. 

Children with SCD have an increased tendency to bacteremia and other infections. Polymorphism of a mannose-binding lectin gene (MBL2) has been documented as a potential immunogenetic modulating factor that could cause an additional risk of infection in SCD children. Based on this, there is a need for research on genetic modifiers linked to bacteremia and sepsis risk to enable earlier anticipation of the onset and progression of infection among SCD children. Early management can lower the rate of morbidity and death associated with infection and sepsis in children who are considered to be at high risk. 

This study, based in Kano, Nigeria, has helped in understanding the clinical, demographic and laboratory correlates/associations between implicating genes and some clinical outcomes, including identifying genetic diversities related to single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes of the candidate genes of interest among SCD children.

Project Assets

Logic Model

About the Scholar

Yusuf Danasabe Jobbi’s commitment to science began early in life, shaped by the loss and suffering he witnessed among family members affected by sickle cell disease and other rare genetic conditions. As a child, he grew curious about their diagnoses and wondered whether different treatments might have changed their outcomes. This desire to understand and to prevent similar tragedies evolved into a deep passion for medical laboratory science and hematology. 

He earned his bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science from Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto, Nigeria, in 2014, followed by a master’s degree in biotechnology from Bayero University in Kano in 2019. In his current role as medical laboratory scientist at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, he collaborates with nongovernmental organizations on sickle cell awareness, supervises interns and laboratory staff, develops standard operating procedures, ensures quality control and performs routine hematological analyses for patient care.