Dr. Úrsula Eva Eñeso Efuá | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award
Microbiologist at Hospital Politénico Dr. Loeri Combá-Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Ursula-Eva Eñeso Efuá is a dedicated and accomplished biomedical scientist from Equatorial Guinea with specialized expertise in microbiology and parasitology. With over two decades of laboratory experience in both clinical and research settings, she has become a recognized professional in diagnosing and investigating infectious diseases, particularly tropical parasitic and bacterial infections. Fluent in Spanish and with intermediate proficiency in English, she effectively navigates multicultural and multilingual environments, contributing her knowledge across institutions in Equatorial Guinea, Spain, and Portugal. Her academic training spans a solid foundation in pharmaceutical biochemistry to advanced doctoral-level studies focused on health and development in tropical regions. Ursula-Eva is especially committed to improving public health in under-resourced settings, as demonstrated by her ongoing doctoral research and published studies on diarrheagenic E. coli and antibiotic resistance in Equatorial Guinea. Her professional ethos reflects strong teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities. Ursula-Eva integrates hands-on technical laboratory skills with academic rigor, making her a valuable contributor to scientific progress in tropical health. Her work stands out for its emphasis on diseases affecting vulnerable populations, and she continually strives to bridge laboratory science with practical healthcare improvements. Through education, experience, and perseverance, she continues to advance her expertise and scientific impact.
Profile
Education
Ursula-Eva Eñeso Efuá has pursued an extensive and diverse academic journey that reflects her passion for biomedical sciences and global health. She began her formal higher education by earning a Licenciatura in Pharmacy, specializing in Biochemistry, from the prestigious Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. This foundational program gave her in-depth knowledge in pharmaceutical and biochemical sciences. She further advanced her academic credentials by completing an International Master’s degree in Tropical Parasitic Diseases at the University of Valencia, Spain, where she developed specialized expertise in tropical infectious diseases.
Continuing her postgraduate studies, Ursula-Eva attended the NOVA University of Lisbon in Portugal for a Clinical Microbiology program, gaining hands-on diagnostic and clinical research skills. She deepened her research focus by earning a Diploma of Advanced Studies in Microbiology and Parasitology at the Department of Microbiology II, Complutense University of Madrid. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctorate in Health and Development in the Tropics at the University of Salamanca, Spain. Her continuous academic evolution illustrates a commitment to advancing knowledge and practice in global health, infectious disease, and microbiology. This diverse educational background makes her uniquely qualified to tackle complex health challenges in tropical and low-resource environments.
Professional Experience
Ursula-Eva Eñeso Efuá brings over 20 years of professional laboratory and clinical experience in microbiology and parasitology. Since 2004, she has served at the Parasitology and Microbiology Laboratory of the Dr. Loeri Comba-Inseso Polyclinic in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. This long-standing role has seen her perform critical diagnostic work in identifying infectious diseases and contributing to the region’s public health response. From 2008 to 2016, she also worked in the Microbiology Department of the same institution, where she collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve patient care.
Before returning to her home country, Ursula-Eva gained invaluable experience in Spain, working in renowned institutions. In 2000, she was part of the Microbiology and Parasitology Laboratory at Hospital Carlos III in Madrid—a recognized center for infectious disease research. The following year, she worked in the Microbiology Laboratory at Hospital de Móstoles, Madrid, further strengthening her diagnostic and technical laboratory skills. These roles exposed her to high standards of clinical practice and advanced diagnostic methodologies. Her professional trajectory showcases her dedication to applying international expertise to address health challenges in her local context, reinforcing her role as a scientific leader in Equatorial Guinea’s health sector.
Research Interest
Ursula-Eva Eñeso Efuá’s research interests lie at the intersection of clinical microbiology, parasitology, and public health in tropical environments. She is particularly passionate about infectious diseases that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, such as bacterial gastroenteritis, antibiotic resistance, and parasitic infections. Her academic and professional focus is on identifying the microbial and parasitic agents responsible for disease in tropical regions and understanding the factors that contribute to their spread and resistance.
Her current doctoral studies in Health and Development in the Tropics align with her interest in translational research, aimed at developing actionable solutions to improve community health outcomes. Ursula-Eva is keen on investigating the molecular and epidemiological aspects of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, multi-drug-resistant pathogens, and the broader implications of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). She is also interested in improving diagnostic techniques, enhancing laboratory quality standards, and implementing effective public health interventions based on robust laboratory data. Her research is driven by the goal of bridging the gap between scientific research and clinical application, ultimately contributing to the control and prevention of infectious diseases in underserved populations. Through interdisciplinary approaches, she strives to make a meaningful impact on global health security and disease surveillance systems.
Research Skills
Ursula-Eva Eñeso Efuá possesses a wide array of research and technical skills, particularly in microbiology, parasitology, and biomedical diagnostics. She is well-versed in standard laboratory techniques for isolating, identifying, and characterizing microbial pathogens, including Gram staining, biochemical assays, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Her skills also include the use of modern diagnostic tools for detecting tropical parasitic diseases and enteric pathogens, reflecting her specialized postgraduate training in Spain and Portugal.
She demonstrates proficiency in data collection and analysis, particularly in studies involving bacterial virulence factors and resistance patterns. Her ability to work in cross-functional laboratory teams and communicate scientific results clearly makes her a valuable collaborator in both clinical and research environments. In addition to technical expertise, Ursula-Eva is skilled in using Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for documentation, data organization, and presentations. Her soft skills include strong teamwork, adaptability, goal orientation, and effective communication—essential attributes for interdisciplinary research projects.
Her bilingual proficiency in Spanish and intermediate command of English allow her to engage in both local and international research communities. Altogether, her research skill set equips her to contribute significantly to scientific investigations, especially in addressing the urgent public health challenges posed by infectious diseases in tropical regions.
Awards and Honors
Ursula-Eva Eñeso Efuá academic and professional trajectory speaks volumes about her achievements and dedication. Gaining admission and excelling in competitive programs at esteemed universities such as the Complutense University of Madrid, University of Valencia, NOVA University of Lisbon, and University of Salamanca is itself a testament to her academic excellence and perseverance.
Her ability to balance ongoing doctoral studies while maintaining a long-standing professional career in clinical microbiology further highlights her commitment to excellence and lifelong learning. Working in multiple high-level institutions across Spain and Equatorial Guinea, Ursula-Eva has built a strong reputation in her field, earning the trust and respect of her colleagues. Her selection for international academic programs focused on tropical medicine reflects recognition of her potential and capability to contribute meaningfully to global health.
Given her significant contributions and experience, Ursula-Eva would be a strong candidate for honors such as “Outstanding Scientist in Tropical Health” or “Distinguished Researcher in Infectious Diseases.” Her continued research on antimicrobial resistance and diarrheal diseases positions her as a notable scientist dedicated to impactful health outcomes.
Publications
Ursula-Eva Eñeso Efuá has contributed to the scientific community through impactful publications addressing critical issues in microbiology and infectious diseases. Her work focuses on understanding the prevalence and virulence of pathogenic bacteria as well as the alarming rise of antimicrobial resistance, especially in tropical settings like Equatorial Guinea.
-
“Diarrhoeagenic E. coli and Associated Virulence Factors on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea”
DOI: 10.58624/SVOAMB.2023.04.026
This study explores the presence of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains in diarrheal cases and identifies their virulence markers, contributing to epidemiological understanding in a tropical context. -
“Antibiotic resistance in pathogenic enterobacteria on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea”
DOI: 10.3390/amh70020024
This publication addresses the growing concern of antibiotic resistance by documenting the resistance patterns of enteric bacteria isolated in Equatorial Guinea.
These publications highlight her engagement in applied scientific research with real-world public health implications. By sharing her findings in reputable, peer-reviewed journals, she contributes to global scientific discourse and provides evidence for healthcare interventions in underrepresented regions.
Conclusion
Ursula-Eva Eñeso Efuá exemplifies the dedication and excellence required of modern biomedical professionals addressing global health challenges. Her strong academic foundation, with specialized training in pharmaceutical biochemistry, parasitology, and microbiology, forms the backbone of a career dedicated to infectious disease research. Her professional experience in both European and African contexts has equipped her with a deep understanding of the practical and systemic challenges faced in clinical laboratories and healthcare systems.
Her research, focused on diarrheal diseases and antibiotic resistance, directly contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge and improvement of health outcomes in tropical regions. She demonstrates a blend of hard technical laboratory skills, soft interpersonal abilities, and strong analytical capabilities. Though not officially decorated with numerous awards, her consistent contributions and upward academic trajectory reflect a career marked by achievement, perseverance, and service.
Ursula-Eva continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in low-resource settings, using science as a tool for equity and impact. She is well-positioned to lead future initiatives in global health, diagnostics, and tropical medicine, and serves as an inspiring model for emerging scientists in developing regions. Her work has real-world relevance, academic merit, and transformative potential.