Mahamat: Ashinaga France Scholar Tops Chemistry Class at Aix-Marseille University

Mahamat, a member of Ashinaga France’s 9th Cohort of Scholars, embodies resilience and academic excellence. Having lived as a refugee in Chad after leaving his native Central African Republic, he began his journey with Ashinaga France in 2023. In just his first year studying Life and Earth Sciences and Chemistry at Aix-en-Provence, Mahamat’s dedication led him to the top of his class. His outstanding performance earned him high honors and a prestigious internship at the Institute of Molecular Sciences’ bioscience laboratory at the University of Aix-Marseille.

During the internship, Mahamat worked in a laboratory specializing in energy, catalysis, and health research. He used this opportunity to explore whether chemistry would be his specialization in his second year. His project combined both chemistry and biology, involving the synthesis of ligands and the study of chalcone cell cultures. This experience helped to deepen his knowledge of chemistry before pursuing his ultimate goal of specializing in biomedical biology. “I desire to continue to progress in this field and to participate in advancing scientific research in my country and Africa,” he shares, explaining how this aligns with his kokorozashi and vision for his homeland.

Now pursuing his second year in Chemistry, Mahamat’s ultimate goal is to revolutionize healthcare in the Central African Republic. His focus on biomedical biology aims to improve access to health services, enhance diagnostic capabilities, combat infectious diseases, and strengthen public health systems in his home country.
Beyond his academic achievements, Mahamat has made time to give back to his new community. He volunteered with AFEV, an association fighting educational and social inequalities. “Alongside my studies, I was able to share my knowledge and experience as a mentor, helping a young schoolboy with his homework and organizing fun activities with him,” he shares.