Christian Happi, is a Professor of Molecular Biology and Genomics and Director of the World Bank funded African Center of Excellence for Genomics of infectious Diseases (ACEGID) in Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria.
Professor Christian Happi, did his postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University from 2000-2003. He subsequently worked at Harvard University as a Research Scientist (2004-2007) and became an adjunct Professor at Harvard University School of Public Health between 2007-2011.

Professor Happi is currently a visiting Professor in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases (IID), Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH), and the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University.

His research focus is on genomics of infectious diseases (Malaria, Lassa fever, Ebola Virus Disease, Yellow fever, Monkeypox, Coronavirus and HIV) and Human genomics. He confirmed the diagnosis of the first case of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria in 2014 and worked closely with Nigerian health authorities for the successful containment of the recent Ebola outbreak in Nigeria.

Professor Happi in an unprecedented way, recently used next generation sequencing technology to perform the first sequence
of the new SARS-CoV-2 in Africa, within 48 hours of receiving sample of the first case in Nigeria. This seminal work not only provided an insight into the detailed genetic map of the new coronavirus in Africa, not only confirm the origin of the virus, but also pave the way to the development of new countermeasures including new diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.

During the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak, Professor Christian Happi and colleagues used advanced genomics and deep sequencing technology to rapidly develop new rapid diagnostics test (5 minutes) against Ebola Virus disease, within 4 months of the outbreak. The WHO and the US FDA approved this diagnosis. He has also worked with his collaborators to developed a novel 5 minutes rapid diagnosis test for Lassa fever. In addition to these major breakthroughs, Professor Happi discovered two new viruses (EKV-1 and EKV-2) in Ekpoma Edo State, using a new cutting-edge technology call microbial metagenomics, in 2015.

Professor Happi has received several prestigious International Awards for innovation and Health Leaderships, including the Merle Sande Africa Health Leadership in 2011 and the 2019 Human Genome Organization (HUGO) Africa Prize iin recognition of his outstanding and extensive contributions in applying genomics knowledge in addressing major infectious diseases challenges in Africa, especially malaria and Lassa fever and Ebola Virus Disease.
Professor Christian Happi is a Board member of several International Organizations. His research is funded by major funding agencies and private foundations including the World Bank, the US National Institutes of Health, NIAID, Wellcome Trust, USAID, WHO, UK BBSRC, the European Union, the African Union, Illumina, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the US Department of Defense, and many others.
Christian Happi is co-author to more than 160 peer-reviewed scientific publications in high impact factor such as Nature, Science, New England Journal of Medicine, Cell, Nature Biotechnology, Lancet, Genome Biology and many more.
Professor Christian Happi, embodies the passion, intellectual drive, and innovative spirit that African scientific leaders need for discoveries that will help the continent stem its scientific and academic challenges. His scientific contributions have gained him the admiration and respect of researchers worldwide in global health. He embodies the real and tangible impact, African healthcare leaders are having in defining solutions to quell the impact of Infectious diseases in Africa, where these diseases take the lives of thousands of children every day.