The Immunology in Africa Podcast

ImmunoAfrica's Graduate Student Series offers emerging and aspiring immunologists the opportunity to connect with, learn from, and be inspired by some of the most talented immunology graduate students from Africa.

For its third edition, this year, we feature 5 PhD students representing 5 African countries, namely Zimbabwe, South Africa, Benin, Cameroon, and Ethiopia. Our guests share their unique stories, perspectives, and contributions to the field of immunology, particularly within the African context.

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Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Okete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, The Immunology in Africa Podcast explores narratives at the nexus of immunology & Africa. We ask professors, postdocs, PhD students, and everyone in between to tell us about their journey into immunology, the questions driving their current work, and the impact theyhope to make on the continent.

To support our efforts towards amplifying Africanstories of immunology, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buy us coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nominate aguest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Djelili Biaou is a final-year PhD student in Immunology at Doctoral School 563, Université Paris Cité, affiliated with the UMR-261 MERIT research unit. Originally from Benin, he earned his Master's in Immunology there before joining the doctoral program in Paris, having previously contributed to several research projects in Benin, including Deworm3, HYGESMO, and CoHyS-Pal.

His research focuses on the immunological and genetic determinants of host susceptibility to tropical parasitic diseases, with particular emphasis on gestational malaria and its impact on maternal and child health. He investigates the biological mechanisms underlying morbidity and mortality during pregnancy, postpartum, and early childhood — specifically identifying human and parasitic molecules contributing to postnatal susceptibility and assessing the functionality of maternally transferred antibodies in infantprotection.

In this episode, he shares findings and insights from his research into malaria immunity in mothers and infants, highlighting the roles of antibodies and other immune cells. He also talks about how his experience has been shaped through international exposure and a bilingual status.

Timestamps:

00:00 - intro, about guest

01:10 - career overview; journeys in immunology

03:58 - MSc study overview (immunity in malaria-schistosomiasis co-infection)

05:33 - more on PhD project, including techniques and target communities

08:42 - key findings from research project

11:20 - what is hypergammaglobulinemia?

14:25 - dealing with confounding factors, like coinfections, in maternal-infant malaria immunity

17:17 – HLA-G (human leukocyte antigen - G) polymorphisms and immunity in infants

19:35 - experience, growth as a graduate student

21:28 - engaging with Africa; promoting local sample analysis in research

24:20 - fun task: memorable lab mistakes

27:15 - on being bilingual and efforts taken to improve English communication skills

30:52 - outro

ImmunoAfrica's Graduate Student Series offers emerging and aspiring immunologists the opportunity to connect with, learn from, and be inspired by some of the most talented immunology graduate students from Africa.

For its third edition, this year, we feature 5 PhD students representing 5 African countries, namely Zimbabwe, South Africa, Benin, Cameroon, and Ethiopia. Our guests share their unique stories, perspectives, and contributions to the field of immunology, particularly within the African context.

--

Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Okete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, The Immunology in Africa Podcast explores narratives at the nexus of immunology & Africa. We ask professors, postdocs, PhD students, and everyone in between to tell us about their journey into immunology, the questions driving their current work, and the impact they hope to make on the continent.

To support our efforts towards amplifying African stories of immunology, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buy us coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nominate a guest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Wasihun Hailemichael is an Immunologist and PhD researcher at University Clinic Freiburg, Germany, studying the heterogeneity of CD8⁺ T cell exhaustion in chronic viral infections, with a particular focus on HIV. His research aims to deepen understanding of the mechanisms underlyingCD8⁺ T cell exhaustion and disease-specific features to explore potential therapeutic opportunities.

Previously, he served as a Lecturer of Immunology at Debre Tabor University, Ethiopia, gaining experience in teaching,mentoring, and research. During his Master's studies, he contributed to a collaborative project on Visceral Leishmaniasis–HIV co-infection with the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium. He received the 19th Tore Godal Award for Young Investigators (2021) from the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) for this thesis research on T cell dysfunction.

Beyond the lab, Wasihun is passionate about communicating science and strengthening immunology research in Africa through collaboration, mentorship, and public engagement.

This episode centres his work on T cell immunity in people living with HIV from his PhD research.

Timestamps:

00:00 - intro, about guest

01:30 - career background; early journey into immunology

06:40 - PhD research overview: CD8+ T cell exhaustion in HIV infection

12:34 - unravelling CD8+ T cell exhaustion heterogeneity

16:19 - factors shaping T cell exhaustion: antiretroviral therapy, CMV infection

21:00 - lab techniques used to address research question and generate data

25:14 - future implication of findings: immune checkpoint inhibitors and other future innovations

29:15 - is T cell exhaustion seen in every person living with HIV?

30:27 - experience as a graduate student: culture shocks, unwinding

34:45 - role within the IUIS and other immunological scientists

39:34 - fun task: favourite immune cell, pitching findings to a potential funder

43:02 - plans post-PhD

45:32 - outro

ImmunoAfrica's Graduate Student Series offers emerging and aspiring immunologists the opportunity to connect with, learn from, and be inspired by some of the most talented immunology graduate students from Africa.

For its third edition, this year, we feature 5 PhD students representing 5 African countries, namely Zimbabwe, South Africa, Benin, Cameroon, and Ethiopia. Our guests share their unique stories, perspectives, and contributions to the field of immunology, particularly within the African context.

--

Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Okete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, The Immunology in Africa Podcast explores narratives at the nexus of immunology & Africa. We ask professors, postdocs, PhD students, and everyone in between to tell us about their journey into immunology, the questions driving their current work, and the impact they hope to make on the continent.

To support our efforts towards amplifying African stories of immunology, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buy us coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nominate a guest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Limpho Thipane is a PhD student at the University of Cape Town and an emerging tuberculosis researcher whose work spans immunology, infectious diseases, and neuroscience. Her Master’s research, titled “Regulators of neuroimmune functions in the manifestation of central nervous system tuberculosis in the absence of microglia”, investigated how microglial depletion influences immune responses, pathogen control, and neuroinflammation in central nervous system tuberculosis (CNS-TB).

Her academic journey has included extensive work in tuberculosis, particularly CNS-TB, with a particular interest in understanding host–pathogen interactions and the role of immune cells, such as microglia and alveolar macrophages, in disease progression and control. Her ongoing PhD research expounds on this area of work with a focus on the non-psychoactive, cannabidiol.

Limpho spends her spare time discussing science with and mentoring high school students, and leads science engagement projects for Eh!woza and the African Research Society.

In this episode, she discusses her fascinating journey to becoming a brain TB scientist, findings from her research, and her ongoing commitment to disseminating science, engaging communities, and mentoring the next generation.

Timestamps:

00:00 - intro, about guest

01:26 - career background, early journey into immunology and neuroscience

05:13 - conducting tuberculosis and neuro-immunology research; mitigating TB inflammation by depleting microglial cells

13:09 - more on brain TB: how it differs from lung TB, heterogeneity, etc.

15:34 - ongoing PhD research on the role of cannabidiol in the management of brain TB inflammation

17:18 - time management, discipline, and extracurricular interests

19:30 - communicating science effectively

23:52 - volunteering in science communication, community engagement and mentorship programmes

29:19 - experiencing mistakes and learning curves

32:52 - reverse spell "MICROGLIA"

33:45 - closing remarks

34:22 - outro

ImmunoAfrica's Graduate Student Series offers emerging and aspiring immunologists the opportunity to connect with, learn from, and be inspired by some of the most talented immunology graduate students from Africa.

For its third edition, this year, we feature 5 PhD students representing 5 African countries, namely Zimbabwe, South Africa, Benin, Cameroon, and Ethiopia. Our guests share their unique stories, perspectives, and contributions to the field of immunology, particularly within the African context.

--

Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Okete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, The Immunology in Africa Podcast explores narratives at the nexus of immunology & Africa. We ask professors, postdocs, PhD students, and everyone in between to tell us about their journey into immunology, the questions driving their current work, and the impact they hope to make on the continent.

To support our efforts towards amplifying African stories of immunology, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buy us coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nominate a guest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Chris Marco Nana Mbianda is a passionate immunologist and doctoral graduate of the University of Yaoundé in Cameroon. His research on pregnant women and neonates explores how immune responses to placental malaria can be harnessed for immunotherapeutic strategies. He investigates key immunological and metabolic pathways that could be targeted to improve protection to infection in newborns.

Beyond the laboratory, he is dedicated to mentoring young scientists and promoting inclusive, accessible science through teaching and public engagement. Chris is a recipient of numerous awards including the prestigious Eiffel Excellence Scholarship from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

This episode explores findings from his PhD research around the function and metabolism of gamma-delta T cells, an unconventional T cell class and the immuno-protective role they could play in neonates.

Timestamps:

00:00 - intro, about guest

01:29 - career background, early journey into immunology and the integration of metabolism in PhD research

04:24 - PhD research: gamma-delta T cells and their roles in placental malaria

06:35 - more on PhD research; maternal-infant immune crosstalk, gamma-delta T cells, and placental malaria

10:54 - key findings and implications for infant immunity to malaria

17:15 - improving the levels / function of gamma-delta T cells: challenges and prospects

19:00 - T cell metabolism and its role in malaria immunity

23:25 - moving from in vitro experiments to animal models

24:30 - the interplay of infection, immunity, and diet in resource-limited settings

26:10 - maternal nutrition, colostrum, and immunity to infections in neonates

28:19 - surmounting challenges of being a French-speaking scientist

34:24 - an immunology-themed acronym for PLACENTAL

38:45 - outro

Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Okete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, The Immunology in Africa Podcast explores narratives at the nexus of immunology & Africa. We ask professors, postdocs, PhD students, and everyone in between to tell us about their journey into immunology, the questions driving their current work, and the impact they hope to make on the continent.

To support our efforts towards amplifying African stories of immunology, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buy us coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nominate a guest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Thumbi Ndung’u is a faculty member at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) in Durban, South Africa; Professor and Victor Daitz Chair in HIV/TB Research at the HIV Pathogenesis Programme, University of KwaZulu-Natal; Programme Director for the Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence (SANTHE); Professor of Infectious Diseases at University College London, UK; Associate Member of the Ragon Institute; Adjunct Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; and Provost's Visiting Professor of HIV Virology and Immunology at Imperial College London, UK.

He is the recipient of several awards for scientific excellence and leadership contributions, including the South African Medical Research Council Gold Scientific Achievement Award, the Leadership Award in Public Health Practice from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, and the KT Jeang Retrovirology Prize in recognition of outstanding work on HIV. He has also received grant funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, the Science for Africa Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the South African National Research Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and others.

His research focuses on understanding interactions between HIV and the immune system and how these may be harnessed and translated for HIV prevention or cure.

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In this episode, he talks about his journey with HIV and immunology that has spanned at least three decades and birthed several groundbreaking contributions, the most recent being Africa’s first HIV cure trial for women living with the virus.

ImmunoAfrica's Graduate Student Series offers emerging and aspiring immunologists the opportunity to connect with, learn from, and be inspired by some of the most talented immunology graduate students from Africa.

For its third edition, this year, we feature 5 PhD students representing 5 African countries, namely Zimbabwe, South Africa, Benin, Cameroon, and Ethiopia. Our guests share their unique stories, perspectives, and contributions to the field of immunology, particularly within the African context.

--

Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Okete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, The Immunology in Africa Podcast explores narratives at the nexus of immunology & Africa. We ask professors, postdocs, PhD students, and everyone in between to tell us about their journey into immunology, the questions driving their current work, and the impact they hope to make on the continent.

To support our efforts towards amplifying African stories of immunology, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buy us coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nominate a guest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Takunda Lameck Ngwenya is a PhD researcher in Neuroscience and Immunology at King’s College London, United Kingdom, where he explores how the immune system and nervous system interact in chronic skin conditions like keloid scars.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Takunda holds a distinction-graded MSc in Medicine (Chemical Biology) from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, where he worked on a project that aimed to develop novel recombinant immunodiagnostic & -therapeutics for Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

He has a multidisciplinary background spanning immunology, molecular biology, and translational medicine. Takunda is also an advocate for research that addresses underrepresented health issues in global communities.

Timestamps:

00:00 - intro, about guest

01:27 - career background, early journey into immunology

06:08 - navigating the steep learning-growth curve

09:42 - findings from master's research project on cancer immunotherapy

17:23 - updates on PhD research (pain, itch, and immune responses in keloids)

23:28 - are there models or cell lines for studying keloids?

28:15 - potential future applications/implications of findings

29:36 - can keloids be cured solely via surgical resection?

31:15 - keloids vs cancers

32:12 - strengthening immunological research and development in Africa (funding, collaboration, opportunities, and the role of AI)

45:08 - fun tasks (2 truths and 1 lie; a difficult term in the field)

49:56 - outro

Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Okete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, The Immunology in Africa Podcast explores narratives at the nexus of immunology & Africa. We ask professors, postdocs, PhD students, and everyone in between to tell us about their journey into immunology, the questions driving their current work, and the impact they hope to make on the continent.

To support our efforts towards amplifying African stories of immunology, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buy us coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nominate a guest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Annie Elong is a Research Instructor in the Center for Vaccine Innovation at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology. Elong received her Ph.D. in Immunology investigating the role of autoreactive T and B cells in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS). Her research focus has since broadened, to human infectious diseases and mouse models in the group of Dr. Sujan Shresta at La Jolla. She has led key projects aimed at understanding the adaptive immune response to infection with flaviviruses, particularly dengue and Zika, contributing towards the development of efficient vaccines. During the pandemic, Elong investigated the role of pre-existing immunity to human common cold coronaviruses and the interplay between antibody and T cell responses in shaping the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

In this episode, Elong talks about her journey through and contributions to the field, which has crisscrossed T cells, antibodies, autoimmunity and vaccines. In addition, she discusses the critical roles pan vaccines could play in the fight against viral diseases and shares part of her ongoing plans to elucidate how T cells mediate neuropathologies associated with viral infections.

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To participate in our Quizzes, visit our social media platforms via the links below.

- ImmunoAfrica: ⁠⁠linktr.ee/immuno.africa⁠⁠

- Immunopaedia: ⁠⁠immunopaedia.org.za⁠⁠

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Timestamps:

00:00 – podcast intro

00:47 – guest intro

01:50 – overview of career journey, getting into immunology and infectious diseases research

04:32 – PhD research (T cells and multiple sclerosis): findings, implications

11:00 – navigating the switch from autoimmunity to viral immunology and vaccines

13:27 – ImmunoAfrica x Immunopaedia quiz interlude

14:16 – navigating switches: why every scientist has the recipe for surviving career/research switches

18:30 – postdoctoral research (Dengue and Zika viruses: T cells, antibodies, and pan-vaccines): findings, implications

30:26 – more on pan-vaccines; immunology x global health crosstalk

45:10 – what's next?

47:51 – closing remarks: why you need a mentor

52:20 – outro

Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Okete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, The Immunology in Africa Podcast explores narratives at the nexus of immunology & Africa. We ask professors, postdocs, PhD students, and everyone in between to tell us about their journey into immunology, the questions driving their current work, and the impact they hope to make on the continent.

To support our efforts towards amplifying African stories of immunology, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buy us coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nominate a guest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Dr. Lorraine Pfavayi is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Edinburgh and a TIBA Postdoctoral Fellow. She holds a DPhil in Clinical Medicine from the University of Oxford, where she investigated fungal allergic diseases in regions co-endemic with parasitic infections.

Her current research focuses on developing point-of-care diagnostic tools for schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease commonly linked with fresh water snails. She is also involved in the Affected Voices programme, which promotes the inclusion of people with lived experience of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in health policy and service delivery.

Her work is driven by a commitment to integrating basic science with global health policy to deliver equitable, context-relevant solutions for vulnerable communities.

In this episode, Pfavayi discusses the need for context-relevant approaches to addressing the burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Africa and highlights how her ongoing work centers local contexts, community persepctives, and African-led approaches in the development of solutions for NTDs.

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To participate in our Quizzes, visit our social media platforms via the links below.

- ImmunoAfrica: ⁠linktr.ee/immuno.africa⁠

- Immunopaedia: ⁠immunopaedia.org.za⁠

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Timestamps:

00:00 – podcast intro

01:05 – guest intro

01:50 – overview of career journey, getting into NTDs research

03:40 – what are NTDs? why NTDs?

06:52 – key contributions towards NTDs research; factoring in under-5 for schistosomiasis management

14:16 – ImmunoAfrica x Immunopaedia quiz interlude

15:07 – involving local communities in the entire project pipeline of research studies

16:17 – PhD research: fungal allergies in NTDs-endemic communities

26:21 – post-doctoral research project: towards tailoring NTDs innovations and interventions for infants and young children; local communities

36:30 – highlights of findings

43:40 – the role of mentors in her career development

44:45 – final remarks: dealing with imposter syndrome

46:32 – outro

Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Okete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, The Immunology in Africa Podcast explores narratives at the nexus of immunology & Africa. We ask professors, postdocs, PhD students, and everyone in between to tell us about their journey into immunology, the questions driving their current work, and the impact they hope to make on the continent.

To support our efforts towards amplifying African stories of immunology, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buy us coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nominate a guest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

--

Thumbi Ndung’u is a faculty member at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) in Durban, South Africa; Professor and Victor Daitz Chair in HIV/TB Research at the HIV Pathogenesis Programme, University of KwaZulu-Natal; Programme Director for the Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence (SANTHE); Professor of Infectious Diseases at University College London, UK; Associate Member of the Ragon Institute; Adjunct Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; and Provost's Visiting Professor of HIV Virology and Immunology at Imperial College London, UK.

He is the recipient of several awards for scientific excellence and leadership contributions, including the South African Medical Research Council Gold Scientific Achievement Award, the Leadership Award in Public Health Practice from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, and the KT Jeang Retrovirology Prize in recognition of outstanding work on HIV. He has also received grant funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, the Science for Africa Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the South African National Research Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and others.

His research focuses on understanding interactions between HIV and the immune system and how these may be harnessed and translated for HIV prevention or cure.

 --

In this episode, he talks about his journey with HIV and immunology that has spanned at least three decades and birthed several groundbreaking contributions, the most recent being Africa’s first HIV cure trial for women living with the virus.

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To participate in our Trivia questions, visit our social media platforms via the links below.

- ImmunoAfrica: linktr.ee/immuno.africa

- Immunopaedia: immunopaedia.org.za

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Timestamps:

00:00 – podcast intro

01:05 – guest intro

02:00 – starting out, maximising opportunities: from a coffee farm to veterinary school

05:19 – getting into immunology research

07:16 – ImmunoAfrica x Immunopaedia quiz interlude I           

08:40 – making a mark in immunology, from Nairobi to Harvard | isolating subtype C strain of HIV

12:15 – misconceptions and big questions in HIV research

17:30 – research and contributions leading up to the HIV Cure Project

21:04 – convincing people living with HIV to stay off medications (antiretroviral therapy, ART) for trial

23:51 – integrating socioeconomic empowerment into biomedical research | The FRESH project

25:45 – designing, conducting the HIV Cure trial | more on The FRESH project

31:50 – major findings from, next steps for the HIV Cure trial

39:40 – why only women were recruited for the cure trial

41:33 – adverse outcomes in participants

43:40 – ImmunoAfrica x Immunopaedia quiz interlude II

45:00 – coming up with new ideas

46:52 – visibility for scientists and its role in strengthening local R&D

53:32 – experience with mentorship: paying it forward

56:55 – final remarks

57:42 - outro 

Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Okete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, The Immunology in Africa Podcast explores narratives at the nexus of immunology & Africa. We ask professors, postdocs, PhD students, and everyone in between to tell us about their journey into immunology, the questions driving their current work, and the impact they hope to make on the continent.

To support our efforts towards amplifying African stories of immunology, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buy us coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nominate a guest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Launching in April 2025, our special TB Immunology series and first-ever disease-focused series dives deep into the science, challenges, and success stories behind the fight to end tuberculosis.

We’re joined by leading scientists whose work in TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine development is shaping the current landscape of the disease in Africa and globally.

Whether you're actively involved in TB research or simply curious about the field, this experience promises to be both eye-opening and engaging.

The seventh and final episode in the series features Professor Mohlopheni Jackson Marakalala who is currently the Director of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Centre for Tuberculosis Research at Stellenbosch University (SU), South Africa.

Marakalala completed his PhD in Chemical Pathology at the University of Cape Town (2008), receiving the Bronte Stewart Research Prize for the most meritorious PhD thesis. He then completed a total of 8 year postdoctoral training; 4 years in the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM) at UCT and 4 years in Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. 

Between 2016 and 2019, he was a Senior Lecturer at UCT and a Visiting Scientist at Harvard. From 2019 until his recent appointment as the Unit Director of the SAMRC Centre for TB Research, he has been a Wellcome Trust International Fellow and Faculty member at Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) and an Associate Professor at University College London (UCL).

His laboratory’s primary interest is on infectious diseases, particularly immunopathogenesis of Tuberculosis, with an aim of developing host-directed therapies targeting mediators of lung damage. His other interests are in understanding strategies utilized by mycobacteria to survive various arms of the immune system.

Work in his lab has been funded by grants from SA Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Personal achievements include recognition as a ‘Rising Star’ at the 2019 Grand Challenges meeting, NRF Emerging Researcher Excellence Award (2018), SA Medical Research Council Scientific Merit award (Silver medal) (2016); UCT 2016 College of Fellows Young Researcher Award; and the Next Einstein Forum (2016) Fellowship.

In this episode, he talks about how we may rethink funding for TB research in light of recent cuts which have dealt the field a heavy blow. In addition, he shares some of the plans and perspectives he brings to his recent role as Director of the SAMRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research.

Timestamps:

00:00 - intro

01:35 - journey to current role and work in TB

03:42 - qualities and factors that have shaped his career

06:21 - contributions to TB research; training younger scientists

12:14 - funding cuts and impact on his ongoing work

15:29 - does external funding limit what aspects of TB research can be studied in Africa?

20:49 - what alternative funding models do we start exploring to support local TB research?

26:32 - the role of scientists and scientific councils

29:40 - will Africa have the market to foster bio-entrepreneurship?

33:44 - plans and perspectives for current role - Director of the SAMRC-SU Centre for Tuberculosis Research

40:05 - closing remarks; future of TB in Africa

42:40 - Outro