Kidney Research
Chronic Kidney Disease Research Project – A Special Intervention Initiative
The Kidney Disease Research Project is a special intervention initiative led by the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC), Yobe State University, in collaboration with national and international experts. Funded by the Yobe State Government, this study aims to investigate the rising cases of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Origin (CKDu) in the region and provide evidence-based insights for intervention and prevention.
Our Mission
This special intervention project is designed to:
- Assess the prevalence of CKDu in selected communities of Yobe State.
- Identify potential contributing environmental and lifestyle risk factors.
- Investigate genetic predisposition in affected populations.
- Validate a point-of-care diagnostic tool for early kidney disease detection.
Our Approach
- Extensive Field Research – Our multidisciplinary team, including nephrologists, physicians, public health specialists/epidemiologists, geologists, eco-toxicologists, nurses, laboratory scientists, GIS experts, data collectors and community mobilisers, collect essential data across Gashua and Damaturu.
- Comprehensive Sample Collection – The team collect biological specimens, environmental samples, and lifestyle data to determine possible CKD risk factors.
- Community Engagement – The team collaborate with local leaders, health officials, and the public, ensuring awareness and cooperation for reliable data collection.
- Advanced Laboratory Analysis – Samples are processed using state-of-the-art technologies, including Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and genetic sequencing to identify potential causes.
During the fieldwork aspect of the research, the research teams were structured into specialized groups to ensure systematic data collection. Teams A, B, C, and D focused on human data collection through interviews and biological sampling, while the Environmental Team handled soil, water, and food sample collection. The GIS Team managed house numbering, identification, and geotagging. Each team included researchers, health professionals, and community mobilizers, working collaboratively to achieve the project’s objectives.
Below are the members who played key roles in this project:
Dr Mahmoud Bukar Maina, PhD, FRSA
Affiliation: Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC), Yobe State University
Expertise: Neuroscientist & Science Policy Expert
Role: Principal Investigator & Project Lead
Dr Muhammad Lawan Gana MBBS, FWACP
Affiliation: Head of Department Community Medicine Yobe State University
Expertise: Consultant Public Health Physician
Role: Co-Principal Investigator & Hon. Commissioner Ministry of Health and Human Services
Associate Prof. Baba Goni Waru CMD
Affiliation: Yobe State University/Yobe State University Teaching Hospital Damaturu
Expertise: Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine and Epidemiology. Research interest focused on Malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB and vaccine preventable diseases
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Prof. Aliyu Abdu
Affiliation: Department of Medicine, Bayero University and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.
Expertise: Professor of Medicine and Nephrology.
Role: Team lead
Prof Olugbenga Oguntunde, MBChB, MPH,FWACP
Affiliation: Yobe State University
Expertise: Public Health, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning(MEL) and Value for Money Expert
Role: Team lead
Dr Akinola Ayokunle Olayinka, MBBS, PGD
Affiliation: State Specialist Hospital, Gashua, Yobe State
Expertise: Medical Director, General Practice
Role: Team lead
Dr. Garba Musa Fika, MBBS, DIP Int Med, MWACP, FMCP
Affiliation: Yobe State University Teaching Hospital Damaturu.
Expertise: Chief Consultant Gastroenterologist.
Role: Team Lead
Dr Alhaji Abdu, MBBS, FMCP
Affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine and Allied Medical Science. Federal University Dutse.
Expertise: Consultant Nephrologist
Role: Team lead
Dr Abubakar Yerima, MBBS, FWACP- Rheumatology
Affiliation: University of Maiduguri
Expertise: Lecturer and Consultant Rheumatologist and Physician
Role: Team lead
Dr. Usman Bawa, PhD
Affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
Expertise: Eco-toxicologist and Environmental Biologist.
Role: Team Lead
Dr Musa Mohammed Baba MBBS, FWACP
Affiliation: Dean, Clinical Yobe State University College of Medical Sciences, Damaturu
Expertise: Consultant Cardiologist
Role: Assistant team lead
Dr Modibbo Babagana-Kyari
Affiliation: Department of Geography and Environmental Management, Yobe University, Nigeria
Expertise: Geo-information Specialist and Geohealth
Role: GIS Team Lead
Dr. Salamatu Ahmad Amshi PhD
Affiliation: Pharmaceutical Science Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Maiduguri.
Expertise: Pharmaceutical Analyst
Role: CSO
Dr Nuru Suleiman Muhammad
Affiliation: Yobe State University, Damaturu/ YOHFIMA
Expertise: Consultant Public Health Physician, Healthcare Quality Expert & Health Economist.
Role: Assistant Team Lead
Usman Mohammed Taa
Affiliation: Department of Geography, Yobe State University.
Expertise: Human Geographer and GIS Specialist.
Role: Assistant Lead Team GIS.
Mohammed Maina
Affiliation: Yobe State University
Expertise: Environmental Management/ Geologist
Role: Environmental Supervisor
Larema Babazau BMLS,MSc,MPH,MHPM,AMLCN
Affiliation: BioRTC/YSU/YSUTH
Expertise: Med Lab Scientists (Chemical Pathology), Public Health and Health Planner and Manager.
Role: Laboratory Supervisor
Dr Suleiman Hamidu Kwairanga, Lecturer I, Research Fellow
Affiliation: Gombe State University, Gombe /BioRTC and University of Sussex.
Expertise: Neuroscientist and Data Analyst
Role: Data Analyst
Other Team Members
| Names | Rank |
|---|---|
| Team A | |
| Aliyu Abdulkadir | Nurse |
| Aminu Ibrahim Gadaka | Laboratorian |
| Basiru Saad Yahaya | Phlebotomist |
| Mohammed Bomai | Data Collector |
| Fatima Muhammad Sheriff | Data Collector |
| Lawan Bulama Kurma | Community mobiliser |
| Alwali Ahmed Dachia | Laboratorian |
| Adamu Ali Yerima | Community mobiliser |
| Team B | |
| Hauwa Alhaji Sabo | Nurse |
| Kamal Muhammad Haruna | Laboratorian |
| Abba Kyari Mustapha | Phlebotomist |
| Aminu Ibrahim | Data Collector |
| Abdullatif Tijjani Abatcha | Data Collector |
| Goni Kolo Bura | Community mobiliser |
| Dr Musa Mohammed Baba | Team Lead |
| Haruna Abba | Community mobiliser |
| Team C | |
| Dr Mohammed Suleiman Maina | Team Lead |
| Zainab Lawan | Nurse |
| Aji Bukar Gaje | Laboratorian |
| Auwal M. Ahmed | Phlebotomist |
| Musa Umar | Data Collector |
| Sadiq Muhammad | Data Collector |
| Bulama Gambomi | Community mobiliser |
| Shatuwa Adamu | Nurse |
| Fatima Sabo Alhassan | Phlebotomist |
| Halima Mustapha | Community mobiliser |
| Team D | |
| Baaji Ali Dapchi | Nurse |
| Ahmed Mohammed Jajere | Laboratorian |
| Idriss Garba | Phlebotomist |
| Hadiza A Hussaini | Data Collector |
| Musa Ahmed Dori | Data Collector |
| Alhaji Shettima Mari | Community mobiliser |
| Sabiu Musa | Nurse |
| Idi Ado | Laboratorian |
| Lawan Abdullahi | Phlebotomist |
| Habiba Haruna | Community mobiliser |
| Soil, Water and Food Chain Team | |
| Abubakar Rabiu Mato | Geologist |
| Madibbo Babagana Mallam Kyari | GIS Officer |
| Alhaji Ali Bulama | Data Collector |
| Abubakar Sadik Adam | Local Guide |
| Mobile Team | |
| Mohammed Bukar Maina | Soil/Water Sampling Supervisor |
| Buji Gana Kalallawa | Community Lead |
| Hauwa Hassan | PHC Director |
| Abdulmumini Mallam Kolo | Media person |
| Dr Abubakar Sadeeq Adamu | LOC |
| Umar Muhammad Kundi | LOC |
| Mubarak Ismail | LOC |
| Abdulrahman Idriss Alkhamis | LOC |
| Musa Muhd Abubakar | Phlebotomist |
| Mamman Musa | Laboratorian |
| Idriss Garba | Phlebotomist |
| Muhd Baba Alkali | Phlebotomist |
| Focal Persons | |
| Babayo Dan Nguru | Bindigari/Pawari |
| Babashehu Maina | Damakasu |
| Babamaidugu Dadima | Damaturu/Central |
| Yagana Modu | Gambir/Moduri |
| Abba Bura | Kalallawa/Gabai |
| Mustapha Goni Kolo | Kukareta/Warsala |
| Lawan Grema Gana | Maisandari- Waziri- Ibrahim |
| Mohammed Bukar | Murfa Kalam |
| Idriss Grema Mustapha | Nayinawa |
| Yusuf Ibrahim | Njiwaji/Gwange |