The Immunology in Africa Podcast: Recent Episodes
Wealth Okete
Science Communication in Immunology and related Research — spotlighting Africa and African scientists.
By amplifying the stories, struggles, and successes of Africans researching the immune system, ImmunoAfrica creates a platform for scientists, up-and-coming researchers, and members of the public to explore the immune system collectively.
Connect on Instagram, Twitter: @immuno_africa; Facebook, LinkedIn: The Immunology in Africa Podcast
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.
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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.
--
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
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.
--
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 sixth and penultimate episode in the series features Fatoumatta Darboe. Originally from The Gambia, Fatoumatta currently works as an Assistant Professional Researcher at the University of California, San Francisco in the United States.
Darboe ventured into TB research during her master's programme at the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia (MRCG) at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), where she also completed a postdoctoral training.
For her PhD at the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI), she sought to define TB correlates of disease risk in several South African cohorts of individuals co-infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This work resulted in the validation and publication of an 11-gene biomarker (Darboe11), which predicted and diagnosed TB disease, and predicted treatment responses in several TB/HIV co-infected cohorts.
In this episode, she takes us on her long-standing relationship with TB, including how her interest in TB-HIV coinfection developed. She shares updates on ongoing projects exploring a fascinating pathway implicated in TB and HIV and immunogenic antibodies for TB.
Additionally, she talks about what fuels her advocacy for female education and representation in leadership, and why it's important to audit one's "circle" according to their goals.
Timestamps:
00:00 - intro
01:17 - early journey, getting into TB research
06:46 - navigating growth with minimal supervision
10:20 - journey to SATVI; PhD research highlights
14:07 - current projects
14:48 - TB-HIV co-infection; TB risk in PLWH
17:45 - understanding the kynurenine-tryptophan (KT) pathway in HIV/TB
19:00 - is the KT pathway relevant in TB aside from HIV?
21:13 - potential application of findings
23:40 - using bacteriophage to unravel TB antibody responses
28:33 - which TB strains are targeted in antibody response study?
29:56 - challenges, barriers, and sacrifices
38:00 - closing remarks
38:58 - 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.
--
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 fifth episode in the series features Anele Gela, a Research Officer at the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative, University of Cape Town, where he studies host determinants of protective immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).
Anele first ventured into TB research during his postdoctoral fellowship at SATVI. He completed his PhD degree in Lund University, Sweden, studying asthma, and previously worked with coronaviruses.
During his post-doctoral training, he was actively involved in several projects aimed at addressing the role of donor-unrestricted T (DURT) cells in TB immunity and vaccination.
In his current role as a research officer, he provides scientific and operational oversight of immunological and laboratory aspects of TB vaccine projects. One such project is the H56:IC31 TB vaccine trial, which was conducted at multiple sites in South Africa and Tanzania.
In this episode, we talk about his journey into studying vaccine immune responses for TB, why vaccines matter, and the need for stronger public engagement in the field.
Timestamps:
00:00 - intro
01:40 - why vaccines are important; different vaccine types
06:11 - career journey; from coronaviruses to TB
12:20 - PhD research and key findings
14:15 - key TB-related projects
19:40 - how clinical trials run; projects and findings
25:33 - more findings, lessons from trials
28:09 - on TB revaccination and BCG effectiveness
31:33 - challenges with getting a TB vaccine
36:44 - public engagement in TB vaccine clinical trials
38:26 - engaging with public and private agencies to attract investment in biomedical research and development
42:15 - 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.
--
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 fourth episode in the series features Solomon Jauro, a veterinarian and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, where he studies tuberculosis in non-human primates (macaque models).
Solomon trained as a veterinarian and obtained his master's degree at the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria, before proceeding to the University of Pretoria, South Africa, for his PhD.
Unlike previous guests, Solomon's work on TB only took off during his postdoctoral fellowship, as his earlier work had focused on antimicrobial resistance and anthrax vaccine immune responses.
In this episode, he talks about how his research on macaques co-infected with TB and simian immunodeficiency virus, SIV (a HIV-like virus) could shape current understanding of human TB-HIV coinfection, in the context BCG vaccine-induced immune responses.
In addition to sharing what it'd take for his findings to be translated into humans, he also reflected on why African institutions should create structures that foster collaboration, particularly among young scientists.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:13 - MSc/PhD project; getting into TB
02:03 - More on PhD project: anthrax vaccines
05:25 - Macaques as 'ideal' models for understanding human TB
08:51 - TB-SIV co-infection in macaques
10:32 - Evaluating TB/HIV immune responses from intravenous vs intradermal BCG administration I
16:33 - BCG'osis in humans
18:09 - Evaluating TB/HIV immune responses from intravenous vs intradermal BCG administration II
21:48 - SIV viral load and BCG-induced TB protection
29:24 - Attenuated BCG for juvenile macaques
32:08 - Translating findings from macaque models to human patients
32:56 - Does BCG'osis associate with vaccination routes?
36:00 - If not TB, then what?
38:00 - Closing remarks: how African institutions can foster collaboration among scientists
41:20 - 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.
--
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 third episode in the series features Paul Ogongo, an assistant professional researcher and former postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, San Francisco.
Originally from Kenya, Paul trained in his home country and South Africa before moving to UCSF for a postdoctoral position. His work has mostly explored T cell responses to TB, highlighting the roles of an important immune cell regulator, IL-17, in the control or progression of the disease.
At UCSF, Paul's investigation of T cell-associated immune responses to TB seeks to unravel distinct antigens that could improve future vaccine design against TB. Till date, BCG remains the only approved vaccine against TB; although several other potential candidates are in clinical trials.
In this episode, Paul shares key highlights from his work on TB antigens and the promise they hold for design of vaccines that could prevent TB disease progression. He also reflects on some of his experiences with failure and the key advances he anticipates in TB immunology over the next decade.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:39 - Unravelling the TB spectrum (active TB vs. subclinical TB; TB exposure vs. TB control)
08:02 - On why 'latent TB' isn't truly 'latent'
09:15 - Investigating active TB (PhD research project and findings)
16:09 - Studying TB at the lungs vs in blood
20:09 - Evaluating T cell responses to rare variable antigens (findings and implications)
32:04 - TB in diabetic individuals
36:22 - Dealing with failure
41:49 - Closing remarks: TB immunology over the coming decade
46:43 - 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.
--
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 second episode in the series features Simon Kimuda, a postdoctoral researcher in the Doores Lab at Kings College London. His work has largely focused on understanding antibody responses to tuberculosis, an area of research which remains underexplored in the field.
Simon leverages techniques in immunology and molecular biology to understand immune correlates of protection and inform the design of novel vaccines against respiratory conditions such as tuberculosis and hantavirus infections.
Outside of research, he actively contributes to mentorship and career development initiatives, enabling access to career growth opportunities for young scientists.
This episode explores Simon's journey in TB immunology, particularly antibodies, which has spanned more than a decade and earned him a Crick African Network Fellowship. Simon also talks about why we should pay more attention to TB stigma and embrace new paradigms to understanding TB.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:29 - Earliest steps in science and immunology
04:15 - Working with TB
09:30 - Heterologous (non-TB) antibody responses in people with active TB
15:02 - More on TB antibody responses | affinity and avidity
17:10 - Antibody responses in TB vaccines: BCG and future vaccines
23:45 - Crick African Network Fellowship | TB growth inhibition; antibody responses to TB surface sugars
31:11 - Linking current postdoctoral research on hantaviruses and interest in TB
36:50 - What's next, if funding was not a limitation
39:55 - What current TB paradigms need to change in Africa
44:45 - Closing remarks | The importance of mentorship
46:27 - 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.
--
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 first episode in the series features Sara Suliman, an assistant professor in the Division of Experimental Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Her lab focuses on identifying host mechanisms underlying TB risk and pathogenesis.
An immunologist by training, Suliman is interested in understanding the immunological determinants of TB risk, progression, and treatment response and developing predictive biomarkers for the disease.
This episode explores Suliman's TB work, most of which began during her post-doctoral training at the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative, University of Cape Town. In addition, Suliman talks about how she blends hypothesis-driven and exploratory research in her science and why she finds the former 'more intellectually stimulating'.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
02:26 - Earliest steps in TB immunology
04:30 - Overview of initial TB immunology projects exploring vaccines and biomarkers
07:48 - Transitioning from cancer to infectious disease immunology
12:47 - Genetic biomarkers for TB progressors and non-progressors
19:06 - More on 'the biomarker study'
24:55 - TB heterogeneity
29:09 - Hypothesis-driven vs. exploratory science
32:38 - The impact of viral co-infections, such as COVID-19, on TB
36:41 - What do TB scientists disagree on?
42:34 - Lab culture, mentorship, and collaboration
46:30 - On being 'scooped'
48:23 - The future of TB in Africa
51:23 - Closing remarks
53:05 - Outro
This 'bonus' episode celebrates our growth over the past 2+ years and revisits insightful moments from past episodes published in 2024.
If any of these highlights interest you, feel free to check out the full episode for a more enriching experience.
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.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:04 - Segun Afolaranmi | "Optimising Natural Killer Cells against Cancers"
01:14 - Oghenebrume Wariri | "Improving Access to Vaccines in Children"
02:46 - Ousmane Traore | "Combating Malaria through Vaccines"
03:14 - Samuel Essien-Baidoo | "Vaginal Microbiota and Cervical Cancer Risk in Women"
04:12 - Rebecca Chukwuanukwu | "Immunity and Infection in Different Contexts"
05:07 - Ane Ogbe | "T Cells Subsets in the Induction of Optimal Antibody Responses"
05:42 - Catherine Kibirige | "Improving HIV Diagnosis through the HIVQuant Project"
06:19 - Deo-Gracias P. Seyigbena Berry | "Could Vitamin D Protect Foetuses from a Deadly Parasite?"
06:51 - Vania Maphossa | "Bridging the Gap: Immune Responses in the African Context"
07:38 - Gatien Lokossou | "Immunity in Pregnant Women and Infants"
08:12 - Samuel Essien-Baidoo | "Vaginal Microbiota and Cervical Cancer Risk in Women"
10:10 - Ane Ogbe | "T Cells Subsets in the Induction of Optimal Antibody Responses"
11:34 - Catherine Kibirige | "Improving HIV Diagnosis through the HIVQuant Project"
12:08 - Segun Afolaranmi | "Optimising Natural Killer Cells against Cancers"
13:15 - Onyeka Chukwudozie | "Outsmarting the Lassa Virus through a Multi-target Vaccine"
13:53 - Ane Ogbe | "T Cells Subsets in the Induction of Optimal Antibody Responses"
14:18 - Outro
This 'bonus' episode celebrates our growth over the past 2+ years and revisits insightful moments from past episodes published between 2022 and 2023.
If any of these highlights interest you, feel free to check out the full episode for a more enriching experience.
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.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:15 - Testimony Olumade | "Immunology in Africa: Telling Our Stories"
01:36 - Marah Grace Chibwana | "Improving Health Outcomes in Inflammatory Diseases: From COVID-19 to Rheumatoid Arthritis"
01:57 - Abena Amoah | "Understanding Variations in Vaccine Responses: What It Means for Africa"
02:50 - Sonwabile Dzanibe | "Untieing a Gordian Knot: Mother-to-Infant HIV Exposure"
04:01 - Raquel Matavele Chissumba | "Surmounting Hurdles: Charting a Course through the Immune System for Africa"
05:17 - Mohamed Ahmed | "Rethinking Tuberculosis: Why Enhancing Immune Responses in Tuberculosis Might be Detrimental"
06:01 - Fabien Prodjinotho | "Understanding Neurocysticercosis: How Tapeworm Cysts Thwart & Trigger Epilepsy"
06:34 - Dimie Ogoina | "Immunology Talks to Public Health: Africa in Focus"
07:15 - Raquel Matavele Chissumba | "Surmounting Hurdles: Charting a Course through the Immune System for Africa"
08:03 - Mohamed Ahmed | "Rethinking Tuberculosis: Why Enhancing Immune Responses in Tuberculosis Might be Detrimental"
08:58 - Muki Shey | "Carving a Niche: From Malaria to Tuberculosis & MAIT Cells"
09:44 - Sonwabile Dzanibe | "Untieing a Gordian Knot: Mother-to-Infant HIV Exposure"
10:27 - Dimie Ogoina | "Immunology Talks to Public Health: Africa in Focus"
10:50 - Tatenda Murangi | "Decoding the Link between Alpha-Gal Allergy and Parasitic Infections"
11:50 - Doudou Georges Niang | "Targeting Galectin-3 in Aggressive Breast Cancers: Implications for African Women"
12:14 - Ubong Ekperikpe | "How Obesity Triggers Kidney Diseases: The Role of the Immune System"
12:53 - Abena Amoah | "Understanding Variations in Vaccine Responses: What It Means for Africa"
13:23 - Chinedu Ugwu | "Unravelling Viral Diseases: How the Immune System Responds to the Lassa Fever Virus"
13:47 - Kumba Seddu | "How Sex Differences and Cytokines Shape Immune Responses"
14:46 - Marah Grace Chibwana | "Improving Health Outcomes in Inflammatory Diseases: From COVID-19 to Rheumatoid Arthritis"
15:30 - Richard Adeleke | "Tackling Viral Diseases through Vaccines: From SARS to Influenza"
15:52 - 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 second edition, this year, we peek into the fascinating work and busy lives of 4 graduate students (Vania, Onyeka, Deo-Gracias, and Segun), representing 3 African countries: Benin, Mozambique, and Nigeria.
Our fourth and last guest is Segun Afolaranmi.
Segun trained as a medical doctor at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and went on to complete his intern year of clinical practice. He developed a keen interest in cancer research and immunology towards the end of medical school, after noticing the grossly limited treatment options available to cancer patients in Nigeria.
The desire to develop effective anticancer therapies that'd fit this context led him to study for a master's in Integrated Immunology at the University of Oxford, as a Clarendon Scholar. Shortly after his master's, he joined the de la Roche lab at Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Institute, in January 2022 to pursue his PhD in Cancer Immunology, with funding from the Gates Cambridge Trust. His PhD research seeks to make immune cells better cancer fighters by modifying an important developmental pathway.
Alongside his scientific interests, Segun is passionate about expanding training opportunities for young scientists in Africa and working with others to accelerate access to cancer therapeutics on the continent. He is a co-founder of The Ganglion Initiative (TGI).
This episode explores his journey to becoming fascinated with cancers and immunology, highlights what makes natural killer (NK) cells special to him, and curates his perspectives on local support for scientific research and development in Africa.
Female Intro/Outro Voice-over: Ruth Ogboye
Timestamps:
00:00 - intro, about guest
02:56 - career background, early journey into immunology
05:19 - varied experience and exposures shape research interests
08:19 - how interest in cancer immunology developed
11:15 - updates on PhD research (making immune cells better cancer fighters)
16:37 - about natural killer (NK) cells
20:48 - cancers he's interested in tackling
22:38 - on collaborations (in cancer research; in Africa)
25:54 - local support for research and development in Africa
30:44 - PhD experience (time management, core values, lab skills and mistakes, etc.)
39:38 - about The Ganglion Initiative
43:36 - next steps post-PhD
45:31 - fun tasks (which scientists in your field of study inspire you; transform CANCER into an immunology acronym)
49:00 - 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 second edition, this year, we peek into the fascinating work and busy lives of 4 graduate students (Vania, Onyeka, Deo-Gracias, and Segun), representing 3 African countries: Benin, Mozambique, and Nigeria.
Our third guest is Seyigbena P. Deo-Gracias Berry.
Deo-Gracias is a PhD student at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany, where she researches interactions between mothers and foetuses, in the context of immune function and tropical diseases. For her PhD project, she is trying to understand how infection with parasitic worms, particularly schistosoma found in fresh water snails, modulates vitamin D levels and immune function during pregnancy. Prior to joining TUM, she studied for master's in Cell Biology and Immunology at the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin, exploring malaria infection, also in the context of pregnancy.
In this episode, Deo-Gracias discusses her research on vitamin D and schistosomiasis, highlighting some of its implications for women and infants in regions endemic to the parasitic disease. She also talks about her love for the vitamin D-enriching African sun and reminisces about some of the mistakes that have punctuated her journey and how she's managed to navigate and learn from them.
Female Intro/Outro Voice-over: Ruth Ogboye.
Timestamps:
00:00 – intro
01:25 – early career journey, entry into immunology
07:10 – MSc project (how malaria infection during pregnancy shapes infant immunity)
11:15 – PhD project (vitamin D vs schistosomiasis infection in mother-foetus pairs) – findings and potential implications
[14:52-17:27] – about schistosomiasis
[18:52-22:32] – vitamin D and immune modulation
31:46 – missing Africa, finding balance, and time management
38:44 – useful skills
41:34 – dealing with mistakes
49:57 – core values and how they inform her work-life
53:27 – fun task (what’s your favourite immune cell and why?)
55:32 – 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 second edition, this year, we peek into the fascinating work and busy lives of 4 graduate students (Vania, Onyeka, Deo-Gracias, and Segun), representing 3 African countries: Benin, Mozambique, and Nigeria.Our second guest is Onyeka Chukwudozie.Onyeka Chukwudozie is a virologist, immunologist, and structural biologist from Nigeria, with a bachelor's degree in Cell Biology and Genetics from the University of Lagos. Currently a PhD candidate at the University of California, San Diego, and a member of the Erica Ollmann Saphire Lab at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology, his research targets the notorious Lassa virus which has caused multiple outbreaks in West Africa for decades. He is leading research on the largest study to discover antibodies against the virus in Nigeria. Onyeka has received both the Curci and Merkin fellowships, collaborating with institutions such as IAVI, to advance studies on the Lassa virus vaccine.In this episode, Onyeka talks about his self-initiated journey to becoming fascinated with the field of immunology. He also shares updates on his current research to tease out antibody immune responses to the Lassa virus and develop a vaccine against its different lineages in Nigeria. Learn more about his work on ResearchGate.Female Intro/Outro Voice-over: Ruth OgboyeTimestamps:00:00 - intro, about guest02:45 - why immunology / how did you get into immunology05:36 - about PhD research project (scope, implications, applications, etc.)14:00 - how multidisciplinary expertise informs research19:28 - PhD experience (time management and unwinding, mentoring and supporting junior and aspiring scientists, etc.)27:07 - useful skills for graduate school success32:07 - core values and principles37:33 - next steps post-PhD40:25 - fun task (transform ONYEKA into an immunology acronym; how many journal articles do you read in a day?)45:16 - closing remarks47:20 - 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 second edition, this year, we peek into the fascinating work and busy lives of 4 graduate students (Vania, Onyeka, Deo-Gracias, and Segun), representing 3 African countries: Benin, Mozambique, and Nigeria. Our first guest is Vania Maphossa.Vania Maphossa is a PhD student in Biosciences and Public Health at Eduardo Mondiane University, in Maputo City, Mozambique. Before commencing her PhD, she earned a bachelor's in Biology and Health and a Master's in Public Health at the same institution. Her current research largely focuses on unravelling immune responses to diseases endemic in Mozambique, including paediatric cancers , tuberculosis, and COVID-19. As part of her work, she also leads the Program for Endemic Diseases of Major Public Health Impact (PDEGIS) at the Mozambican National Institute of Health.-- In this episode, Vania talks about her research work and its implications for the development of vaccines and therapeutics. She also shares some of the challenges that come with doing a PhD in Africa, highlighting valuable insights for governments and other scientists.Female Intro/Outro Voice-over: Ruth OgboyeTimestamps:00:00 - intro, about guest02:25 - how did you get into the field immunology04:40 - what questions are you currently addressing in the field 08:54 - updates on PhD projects, including findings, implications, reception, etc.25:07 - next steps post-PhD27:52 - PhD experience (time management techniques, useful skills, making and dealing with mistakes, etc.)34:55 - thoughts on local support for PhD students39:40 - fun task (if not immunology, then what?, describe your research to a five-year-old)42:22 - outro
Dr. Ane Ogbe is an Associate Scientific Director at Moderna. Previously a postdoctoral immunologist at the University of Oxford, her work contributed to the current understanding of HIV and COVID-19 immunology.
Her research has been largely driven by the desire to gain insights into the dynamic role T cells play in the development and maintenance of immunity to infectious diseases. She began her scientific career in Nigeria, where she studied for a bachelor's in biological science at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Afterwards, she completed both her master's and Ph.D at Brunel University London where she identified a new role for 2 genes (Egr2 and 3) involved in regulating how T follicular helper (Tfh) cells differentiate.
For her postdoc, she joined the University of Oxford, collaborating with the Duke University – The National Institutes of Health CHAVI-ID consortium to investigate how CD4+ Tfh drive immune responses that lead to the development of broadly neutralising antibodies (bNAbs) in chronic HIV infection. She also worked as the lead immunologist in the RIO (Rockefellar, Imperial and Oxford University Collaboration) HIV clinical trial on bNAbs.
During the pandemic, Dr. Ogbe applied her expertise to characterising SARS-COV-2 immunology in natural infection and vaccination across immunocompetent and immunocompromised cohorts. Her work provided insights into the magnitude, durability, and quality of the immune response and informed vaccination policies.
She has now pivoted into industry where she continues to lead the development of immunological methods profiling immune cells to address questions relating to the quantity and quality of immune responses.
Dr. Ogbe is passionate about public engagement and spends her pastime, gardening, travelling or more recently, learning to sew.
To learn more about her work or connect with her, visit, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ane-Ogbe and https://www.linkedin.com/in/aneogbe.
The Immunology in Africa Podcast is on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/immuno-africa, X, https://x.com/immunoafrica_ and YouTube, https://youtube.com/@immunoafrica_. Follow/Subscribe to keep track of new episodes and other immunology updates.
Time stamps:
00:00 - intro
01:34 - early beginnings, academic and research journey, including experience learning in Nigeria vs. UK
08:24 - research project highlights: background, findings, and implications [T follicular helper cells & antibody function]
14:10 - (contd.) HIV and broadly neutralising antibodies (bNAbs)
21:22 - (contd.) COVID-19 vaccines
24:21 - transitioning to industry
28:04 - tips and pieces of advice for scientists interested in industry roles
32:46 - efforts to support science research, education, and mentorship in Nigeria/Africa + potential ideas for those interested in doing the same
43:07 - thriving through challenges
49:06 - closing remarks
52:54 - outro
Dr. Catherine Kibirige trained as a biochemist at the University of Bath, before earning a doctorate in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at The Johns Hopkins University. She is currently a Research Manager at Imperial College London.
Following a childhood interest, she has been involved in HIV-1 clinical research alongside large epidemiological cohort studies for over 20 years. She currently leads 'The HIVQuant Project' - www.hivquant.com which she founded to develop a special HIV quantification kit. It is hoped that this ambient-temperature HIV-1 quantification kit will address challenges associated with HIV diagnosis and treatment monitoring in resource-constrained settings. She is passionate about providing alternative low-cost treatment and monitoring tools for individuals living with HIV in these settings.
In addition to developing and optimising this kit, her work on HIV has also spanned elucidating cytotoxic (CD8) T cell mediated-cell death and investigating the relationship between the replicative capacities of HIV-1 and CD8-mediated viral inhibition. Dr. Kibirige is eager to translate her work to field and clinical settings and welcomes funding and collaborative opportunities aligned with this goal.
To learn more about her work and the HIVQuant Project, visit, www.hivquant.com, https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/c.kibirige,
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Catherine-Kibirige.
The Immunology in Africa Podcast is on LinkedIn, X, and YouTube. Follow/Subscribe to keep track of new episodes and other immunology updates.
Time stamps:
00:00 - intro
01:14 - early beginnings, academic and research journey
07:03 - initial foray into HIV quantification
13:23 - research project highlights: findings and implications
19:47 - what is the HIVQuant Project all about?
26:44 - current stage of the project: challenges and progress so far; next steps
30:35 - collaborations within Africa (and elsewhere)
35:02 - comments on mentorship
39:00 - comments on research in Africa vs. the diaspora (opportunities and challenges)
47:08 - closing remarks
49:44 - outro
Dr. Ousmane Traoré is an immunology and parasitology researcher currently working as Laboratory Manager at the Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN / URCN) in Burkina Faso. He was a key figure in several malaria vaccine trials, including the phase II and III trials for R21/Matrix-M and the phase II trial for RH5/Matrix-M. His primary responsibilities include overseeing lab activities associated with clinical trials.Dr. Traoré, who holds a PhD in Applied Biology from Université Nazi Boni in Bobo-Dioulasso, has made significant contributions to our understanding of the immune correlates of malaria protection. He has held numerous research positions and collaborated with national and international institutions, including the Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et Technique (CNRST) and the University of Antwerp.Dr. Traoré has also received numerous travel awards and grants for his work on malaria and other infectious diseases. He has served as the Principal Investigator for several significant projects, including the GSK Supported Studies Programme: Africa Open Lab 2023 on placental malaria biomarkers and the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH) Small Grants Programme 2021 on postpartum malaria. He has also served as Co-Principal Investigator for a project funded by the National Fund for Research and Innovation for Development (FONRID ) Grants Programme 2021 that examined the efficacy of the hepatitis B vaccine in Burkina Faso. He has presented his research at numerous international conferences and has written extensively in prestigious scientific journals. His commitment to advancing public health in low- and middle-income countries is reflected in his ongoing research and numerous scientific contributions.
This episode spotlights Dr. Ousmane Traoré's efforts and contributions that led to the approval of the current malaria vaccines. He takes us on a journey through his work on the field and in the lab and highlights the indispensable role community engagement plays in combating vaccine hesitancy and boosting vaccinations.
Connect with him/learn more about his work here (https://crun.bf/researchers/ousmane-traore/) and across LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ousmane-traore-13b79933/) and ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ousmane-Traore-4).
The Immunology in Africa Podcast is on LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/company/immuno-africa), X (https://x.com/immunoafrica_), and YouTube (https://youtube.com/immunoafrica_). Follow/Subscribe to keep track of new episodes and other immunology updates.
Time stamps:
00:00 - intro
01:30 - background, academic and research journey
08:41 - contributions towards the approval of the current malaria vaccines
12:39 - challenges with clinical trials in Africa: the past, present, and future
25:43 - more on malaria vaccines: why they took so long to develop; current limitations; future perspectives
36:34 - engaging local communities to boost vaccinations
44:11 - closing remarks
47:28 - outro
Dr. Gatien Lokossou leads the Human Biology Engineering Department at the University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin, where he also doubles as a lecturer in Immunology and Cell Biology. His current research involves elucidating the microbiota composition of human breast milk and evaluating the protective function of immune cells and antibodies in breast milk against malaria in infants.
Prior to joining the University of Abomey-Calavi, Dr. Lokossou earned a PhD in Immunology at Paris Descartes University, France, where his work focused on genetic control of immune responses in malaria. During his post-doc at the University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM), Canada, he studied immunosuppression during pregnancy. His research explored the immune-related molecules, exosomes, and cells that contributed to the onset of preeclampsia in pregnant women in Canada and Benin. The overall goal of this project was to save lives and improve health outcomes by developing a diagnostic test for early detection of preeclampsia in at-risk pregnant women.
In this episode, Dr. Lokossou talks about his decision to return to his home country, Benin, after training in France and Canada. Most of his work, which has focused largely on pregnant women and infants, explore preeclampsia - a pregnancy-associated disease that can be fatal - and breast milk. Connect with him/learn more about his work via LinkedIn and ResearchGate.The Immunology in Africa Podcast is on LinkedIn, X, and YouTube. Follow/Subscribe to keep track of new episodes and other immunology updates.
Time stamps:00:00 - intro01:30 - overview of educational and research background 04:00 - on relocating to Benin after foreign education and training
06:15 - why immunology research
07:52 - highlights of key research projects (epithelial cell response to pathogenic bacteria; genetic control of malaria immune responses; pregnancy and preeclampsia)
14:32 - [preeclampsia] the roles of syncytin (immunosuppression and placenta development); potential impact of the project
22:12 - [breastmilk] the why; ongoing projects; when it's (un)safe; - vs. formula food; preserving its composition/integrity
38:34 - comment: strengthening local research capacity in Africa through funding
40:16 - a most important career-related piece of advice or decision
42:00 - closing remarks45:05 - outro
Dr. Rebecca Chukwuanukwu is an Associate Professor of Immunology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, where she researches host immune responses to diseases. Her educational background is in biomedical sciences, with a specialty in haematology and blood transfusion. She obtained two master's degrees: first, in Haematology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and then, in Immunology and Allergy at the University of Nottingham, UK, before proceeding to pursue a PhD in Immunology at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University. In addition to serving in various academic and administrative roles, Dr. Chukwuanukwu has also won numerous grants and prizes, including the UNESCO-Merck Africa Research Award. She is currently a Senior Experienced Research Fellow at the Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany, courtesy of a fellowship award by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.In this episode, she takes us on her journey and experience exploring the immune system in different contexts, from co-infections involving malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis to pregnancy and malaria. She also talks about her commitment to advancing the field of immunology by training, mentoring, and supporting next-generation scientists.Connect with her/learn more about her work here and across LinkedIn and ResearchGate.The Immunology in Africa Podcast is on LinkedIn, X, and YouTube. Follow/Subscribe to keep track of new episodes and other immunology updates.Time stamps:00:00 - intro01:23 - background, academic and research journey 07:11 - highlights of key research projects and awards from PhD research 18:55 - on training, mentoring, and supporting younger scientists 26:41 - research fellowship at Friedrich Alexander University, Germany 33:11 - what's the most fulfilling part of your work 41:17 - closing remarks 44:20 - outro
Prof. Samuel Essien-Baidoo is an Associate Professor in Laboratory Medicine at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, and a Fellow of the West African Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science. His research is dedicated to exploring the intricate interplay between natural and artificial determinants of adverse health outcomes, particularly in the context of infectious and non-infectious diseases.
Away from research, Prof. Essien-Baidoo has a wealth of administrative experience, having served as the founding Head of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science and held many other positions at UCC, Ghana. He has also shown deep commitment to community service and mentorship by supporting and guiding student volunteers engaged in various initiatives, spanning livelihood empowerment, environmental sanitation, and reproductive health.
In this episode, Prof. Essien-Baidoo shares highlights of his research exploring the link between vaginal microbes, the immune system, and the onset of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in Ghanaian women. Findings from this study will inform cervical cancer screening and management in at-risk women.
Connect with him/learn more about his work here and across LinkedIn, X, and ResearchGate.
The Immunology in Africa Podcast is on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube. Follow/Subscribe to keep track of new episodes and other immunology updates.Time stamps:
00:00 - intro01:20 - overview of academic and research journey 05:11 - findings from PhD research07:44 - growing up and developing interest in immunology, infectious diseases, and non-communicable diseases 11:48 - highlights of research on vaginal microbiota and cervical cancer risk (findings, implications, next steps, etc.)27:28 - interest and work in health and research ethics33:30 - challenges and how he's dealt with them 42:18 - updates from IUIS Cape Town 202346:10 - final words49:00 - outro
Dr. Oghenebrume Wariri is a Clinical Research Fellow in Vaccines and Immunity at the MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM. His research focuses on vaccine epidemiology, particularly examining the performance of country-level immunization systems and investigating how broader demand- and supply-side factors influence the delivery and uptake of routine childhood vaccination in West Africa.Dr. Wariri received his Medical Degree (MBBS) from the University of Benin (Nigeria) and specialized as a Paediatrician after completing a six-year residency training program, earning a Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians. He obtained his MSc in Global Health as a fully-funded Chevening scholar from the University of Aberdeen, UK and has previously held a Wellcome Trust Global Health Clinical Research Training Fellowship at Imperial College London. His PhD at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) investigates the burden, spatial pattern, and drivers of untimely routine childhood vaccination in The Gambia. Dr. Wariri sits on the five-member WHO National Verification Committee (NVC) for Measles and Rubella in The Gambia and is also a member of the Management Committee of the Vaccine Centre at LSHTM. He was the Principal Investigator of the recently concluded EDCTP-funded TIMELY study, which investigated the spatial pattern of untimely routine childhood vaccination in The Gambia and the 2023 African Visiting Fellow to the Office of Population Research (OPR) at Princeton University.In July 2023, Dr. Wariri was awarded the five-year Fogarty Emerging Global Leader award (K43) from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to map zero-dose prevalence, delayed measles vaccination, and the risk of measles outbreaks in The Gambia.
In this episode, we delve into his career journey, highlighting his contributions toward improving access to vaccines in children. Alongside providing updates on his recent award, Dr. Wariri also had a lot of nuggets to share with African scientists on collaborations and research translation.Connect with him/learn more about his work via LinkedIn, X, LSHTM, and ResearchGate.
The Immunology in Africa Podcast is on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube. Follow/Subscribe to keep track of new episodes and other immunology updates.Time stamps:
00:00 - intro02:57 - overview of academic and research journey 07:33 - how interest in vaccine epidemiology developed12:17 - highlights, findings, and implications of research projects 16:17 - comments on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected vaccination rates20:46- factors influencing low/high vaccination rates/coverage in various countries26:16 - on winning the Fogarty Emerging Global Leader Award33:52 - fostering intra-continental research among African scientists41:51 - comments on translation of research findings in Africa46:43 - final words50:00 - outro
Graduate Student Series (GSS) 1.0 (Episode 6 of 6) Kumba Seddu started her PhD journey at Johns Hopkins University where she investigated male and female immune differences to viral vaccines and infections. Her research added to the growing evidence that vaccinated females have greater antibody responses than males. This increased vaccine-induced antibody response in females is due to hormonal (estrogen) effects and sex chromosome (XX) effects. Now at Harvard Medical School, she is studying the gene expression and immune cell activation cascade upon interleukin-2 [IL-2] cytokine stimulation. IL-2 treatment has implications from infection to autoimmune diseases and cancer. She has won several awards including the U.S National Institute of Health Specialized Centers for Research Excellence award, the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health award, and the Paul Farmer Honorary award. Kumba is passionate about equipping researchers and young leaders from low- and middle-income countries to end infectious diseases and solve global challenges. This goal drives her commitment to mentoring students around the world and to leading community solution-driven projects in her home country, Sierra Leone.In this episode, she shares her inspiring journey from Sierra Leone to the United States, where she's currently pursuing her PhD in the field of immunology [Kumba's current research explores immune responses to the cytokine, interleukin-2 (IL-2)]. As usual, we also get to hear her thoughts on the current state of immunology in Africa as well as approaches for advancing research in the field.Time stamps:00:00 - intro02:43 - overview of academic and research journey 04:50 - how interest in immunology developed08:03 - updates from research on sex differences and immune responses (at Johns Hopkins University)12:50 - updates from research on IL-2 and immune responses (at Harvard Medical School)15:47 - implications of research findings on infectious diseases23:22 - life in graduate school (managing failures and successes; most favourite & least favourite experiments)31:25 - core guiding principles38:20 - thoughts on promoting immunology and scientific research in Africa45:40 - fun task (share a eureka moment from the lab)48:32 - outro
Graduate Student Series (GSS) 1.0 (Ep. 5 of 6)Ubong Ekperikpe is a Ph.D. candidate in the Experimental Therapeutics and Pharmacology program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center where he studies obesity and kidney diseases. He trained as a Pharmacist at the University of Jos, before earning a master's degree in Pharmacology at the University of Benin, both in Nigeria. He has also served as a Junior Research Fellow at the School of Pharmacy, University of the Western Cape, South Africa. Ubong’s current research is focused on understanding the role of macrophage inflammatory protein 3-alpha (MIP3α) and interactions between antigen-presenting cells and T-cells in the progression of kidney injuries in children with obesity. Findings from this research will not only enhance our understanding of how these immune cells contribute to the onset of kidney diseases but also inform the design of appropriate therapies. Cooking is one of Ubong's most enjoyable things to do, and he's been honing his skills since he turned 9.In this episode, Ubong shares findings from his PhD work exploring the immunology-link between obesity and kidney diseases in children. He also provides useful updates on his experience as a graduate student and thoughts on promoting immunology research in Africa.Time stamps:00:00 - intro02:29 - overview of academic and research journey 06:54 - blending background in pharmacy and research in immunology08:32 - current research intersecting obesity, kidney diseases, and immunology22:00 - implications of research for Africa's childhood obesity burden28:30 - BONUS: linking kidney diseases and sleeping sickness in Africa32:25 - life in graduate school (a typical day in the lab; managing failures and successes; on cooking)39:34 - thoughts on promoting immunology and scientific research in Africa43:36 - core guiding principles46:40 - fun task (what one advice would you give to your younger self?)51:35 - outro
Graduate Student Series (GSS) 1.0 (Ep. 4 of 6)
Tatenda Murangi completed his bachelor's degree in Biology, majoring in Tropical Disease Biology, at the Chinhoyi University of Technology, Zimbabwe. He is currently a PhD Candidate in Clinical Science and Immunology at the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa, where he studies alpha-gal allergy. His PhD work, which builds on his MSc research explores the role of parasitic infections in the onset of this allergy and is jointly supervised by Professors Michael Levin and William Horsnell. Alongside being an Immunopaedia ambassador, Tatenda is also passionate about science communication.
In this episode, we talk about his research on the link between the not-so-popular alpha-gal allergy and parasitic infections. Tatenda also shared his thoughts on how African scientists can better promote and strengthen science research and engagement in the continent.
Time stamps:00:00 - intro02:16 - overview of academic and research journey 04:00 - why immunology research/at what point did you decide to explore immunology? 07:23 - journey to current research intersecting immunology and parasitology09:45 - on alpha-gal allergy18:53 - exploring the link between parasitic infection (via tick and mite bites) and alpha-gal allergy24:20 - where has alpha-gal allergy been reported?
27:30 - how do we manage the allergy?31:42 - life in graduate school (typical research experiments; managing failures and successes; guiding principles)44:20 - thoughts on promoting immunology and scientific research in Africa52:00 - fun task (what's one thing you love that you've not given much attention to since you got into graduate school?)56:50 - outro
Graduate Student Series (GSS) 1.0 (Ep. 3 of 6) Marah Grace Chibwana holds a medical degree (MBBS) from the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, and an MSc in Integrated Immunology from the University of Oxford. For her PhD, she was recently awarded the Rhodes Scholarship to read for a DPhil in Molecular and Cellular Medicine at the University of Oxford. Building on her MSc research, her PhD will focus on understanding the factors that drive neutrophil behaviour and heterogeneity. Findings from this study will contribute to improving the health outcomes of individuals living with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune / inflammatory conditions. As an up-and-coming clinician-scientist in Immunology, Marah strongly believes in the translation of basic medical science research into bedside patient care and policy formulation to overcome diseases and improve health outcomes both locally and globally. She is also passionate about training the next generation of scientists and currently runs a science club where she mentors young people in her country to pursue careers in science.In this episode, we delve into her work on understanding and developing better therapies for rheumatoid arthritis, which ties into her overall goal of improving health outcomes in inflammatory diseases.Time stamps:00:00 - intro02:45 - overview of academic and research journey 05:40 - why immunology research? 08:25 - MSc research + implications for Africa13:40 - current research + plans for PhD19:07 - overlap between background in COVID-19 and current work in rheumatoid arthritis 20:33 - life in graduate school (typical research experiments; favourite task or activity; managing failures and successes)30:10 - perspectives and attitudes to life34:40 - thoughts on promoting immunology research and science/STEM in Africa43:20 - fun task (what would you have been if you weren't a scientist?)46:20 - outro
Graduate Student Series (GSS) 1.0 (Ep. 2 of 6). Doudou Georges Massar Niang grew up aspiring to be a professional basketball player — but he's now enamored with the field of immunology. With a doctor of Pharmacy and two Masters degrees from Cheikh Anta Diop University, Doudou's background spans hematology, cancer immunology and genetics. He has spent the last four years of his PhD exploring the roles of galectin-3 and various cytokines on breast cancers. The overall goal of his research is to understand how galectin-3 might be used as a biomarker and therapeutic target in various malignancies, particularly breast cancers. In this episode, he shares some of the interesting findings he's made so far and the implications they hold for breast cancer patients in Africa.Time stamps: 00:00 - intro 02:20 - overview of academic and research journey 06:20 - why he got interested in immunology research? 10:25 - current research in graduate school + findings + implications 18:40 - on triple-negative breast cancers 21:00 - implications of current research for Africa 25:00 - life as a graduate student (typical day, lab work, coping with failure and success, etc.) 28:20 - challenges of studying in Senegal/Africa: funding, skills, etc. 34:22 - dealing with successes and failures 37:04 - creating more opportunities to promote immunology research in Africa 41:10 - guiding principles and perspectives 43:04 - fun task (what's your favourite immune cell) 45:10 - plans post-PhD 47:04 - outro
Graduate Student Series (GSS) 1.0 (Ep. 1 of 6).
Richard Adeleke (DVM) trained as a veterinarian at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where he first took an interest in immunology and vaccine development. He is currently a Ph.D. student in Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Cornell University, USA, and works in Professor Hector Aguilar-Carreno's Lab. His research centres around vaccine development for viruses with pandemic potential, specifically SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) coronaviruses. He also studies virus-host interactions and immune responses to vaccination. Outside the lab, Richard enjoys watching movies and meeting new people from diverse backgrounds. In this episode, we talk about a whole lot of fascinating things from how the desire to solve a problem got him hooked to the field of immunology and vaccine development to the promises his current research offers for navigating future pandemics in Africa and beyond.
Time stamps: 00:00 - intro 02:10 - overview of academic and research journey; why immunology (and vaccine development)? 06:37 - current research in graduate school 12:22 - implications of current research for Africa 19:13 - life as a graduate student (lab work, coping with failure and success, etc.) 29:30 - core guiding principles 32:07 - thoughts on immunology research in Africa 37:20 - final thoughts + fun task 41:52 - outro
Abena Amoah (PhD) is the lead for the HypoVax Global Knowledge Hub based at Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases of the Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, in the Netherlands. The knowledge hub is focused on understanding variations in vaccine responses across geographical areas and populations. It aims to address the central question of why weaker responses to some vaccines are seen in some regions compared to others and brings together researchers from around the world to make connections and form a strong network.
Originally from Ghana, Dr. Amoah was born and raised in Southern Africa. She holds a PhD. in immunoepidemiology from the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, an MSc in epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from Mount Holyoke College, United States. She has also held post-doctoral positions at both the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine based overseas in Malawi and Leiden University Medical Center.
In this episode, we explored her research career starting from her earliest foray into addictive diseases in the US, through her relocation to Ghana, which led her into the field of immunology and, by extension, her current role. The crux of this episode is the promises the project she oversees at the HypoVax Global Knowledge Hub hold for Africa, especially in the context of vaccine development and distribution. Visit www.hypovax.org to learn more about this project, make inquiries, or explore opportunities for collaboration.
Time stamps: 00.00 - intro; 02.37 - overview of educational and research background; 09.43 - blending immunology and epidemiology (immuno-epidemiology); 12.08 - the long, winding journey to her current role in understanding vaccine responses in different populations; 19.30 - more on understanding vaccine responses (promises for Africa); 26.51 - challenges associated with the project; 33:28 - final words (words of advice for emerging and established scientists, on navigating career post-PhD, etc.); 38.45 - outro
Chinedu Alphonsus Ugwu (PhD) holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) with distinctions from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, a Master of Science in Integrated Immunology from the University of Oxford, UK, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Sciences from the University of Cambridge, UK. He specializes in translational immunology, vaccine, immunotherapeutic designs for pathogens, and one health approach to tackling disease outbreaks. He currently lectures in the Biological Sciences Department at Redeemer’s University, taking undergraduate and postgraduate classes in immunology, virology, bioethics, biosafety, and biological techniques. He also doubles as a post-doctoral research fellow at the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Disease (ACEGID), where he leads several projects. One such projects is a Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC)-funded project on One Health and accelerating Vaccines for Ebola and Lassa Fever (OVEL). His research focuses on understanding how the immune system modulates the outcome of viral infections. By elucidating the correlates of protective immune response to viral infections such as Lassa fever virus, SARS-CoV-2, and other endemic viral diseases in West Africa, he aims to contribute to vaccine and therapeutic designs, diagnostics production, and informed public health policies for the diseases.This episode explored Dr. Ugwu's works on viral diseases with a specific focus on his recent publication which evaluated immune responses to the Lassa Fever Virus in survivors and exposed contacts of the disease. You can learn more about the publication here (www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-26045-w).Time stamps: 00.00 - intro; 02.20 - overview of education and current role; 04.50 - why immunology research?; 08.10 - overview of research in immunology; 12.10 - recent publication: findings and implications + questions; 29.10 - what are you up to now?; 33.40 - the impact of existing immunity on vaccination; 37:55 - how the field of immunology can inform the discovery of new/misdiagnosed diseases?; 47:00 - final words; 50.25 - outro
Professor Dimie Ogoina is a Professor of Medicine and Head of the Infectious Diseases Unit at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, in Bayelsa, Nigeria. He obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and has spent the last two decades researching various infectious diseases. Professor Ogoina's research interests span HIV/AIDS, healthcare-associated infections, infection prevention and control, antimicrobial resistance, and epidemic-prone infectious diseases. He is also interested in clinical governance and quality improvement. He has held several leadership and administrative positions including serving as the case management lead during the monkeypox and COVID-19 outbreaks in Bayelsa and as the Chair, Subject Matter Experts, Community of Practice of COVID-19 case managers, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria. Professor Ogoina has also been a recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, right from his days in medical school. More recently, he was listed on Nature's Top 10 Scientists in 2022 and Time100 2023 List of The World's Most Influential People.
00.00 - intro; 03.03 - 'Immunology Talks to Public Health - what it means and why it matters?; 05.06 - how immunology contributes to advancing public health goals (highlighting mpox)?; 27.06 - the most pressing challenges (and solutions) to tackling infectious diseases for Africa's immunologists and public health professionals; 38.40 - understanding Africa's strengths and uniqueness in the context of the immune system and immune responses; 49.32 - on staying back in Nigeria/Africa to study or do research: what works well and can be improved on?; 01.00.53 - final thoughts; 01.03.00 - outro
Professor Raquel Matavele Chissumba is a Professor of Immunology and Head of the Endemic Diseases with High Sanitary Impact program - at the Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Mozambique's National Institute of Health. She researches diseases such as HIV, TB, HTLV, and COVID-19 and contributes to understanding and exploring various therapies against them. Inspired by her experiences as a young girl, her works attempt to tackle various challenges in her home country and continent, especially in the context of infectious diseases research. In this episode, she talks about her journey, starting with her earliest foray into science through cartoons and competitions, and explores how these experiences have shaped her. Time stamps.00.00 - intro; 02.00 - early journey, cartoons, and competitions; 05.36 - getting into the university; 07.41 - what's HTLV?; 08.57 - PhD program; 10.29 - Regulatory T cells; 16.00 - the hurdles: Leukemia diagnosis & COVID-19 therapy; 24.00 - more on COVID-19 research; 37.08 - final words on cartoons + advice for African scientists; 41.50 - outro
Dr. Fabien Prodjinotho is a senior scientist in immunology and parasitology at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, and a co-founder of the Benin Society of Immunology. Although his research career in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) began in his home country, Benin, securing the DAAD scholarship led him to Germany, where he continued to follow his passion. His ultimate goal is to build capacities for immunological research and novel technology development for diagnosis in NTDs, especially in African countries.
In this episode, he talks about his work in unraveling different aspects of immune regulation in NTDs, with a focus on neurocysticercosis. His findings offer insights into how tapeworm cysts trigger epileptic seizures in infected humans with immense applications in the disease's diagnosis and treatment.
Time Stamps.
- 00.00 - intro
- 01.54 - an overview of Dr. Prodjinotho's journey and work
- 05.53 - why neglected tropical diseases
- 09.59 - an overview of recent work on tapeworm (Taenia solium)
- 26.49 - a few more details + implications of findings
- 35.05 - thoughts on the World NTDs Day & progress towards the 2030 road map targets
- 40.25 - outro
Dr. Muki Shey is a Chief Research Scientist (at the Associate Professor level) and recipient of the Wellcome Intermediate Fellowship in Public Health & Tropical Medicine at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. In this episode, starting from his humble beginnings in Cameroun, he shares his journey and evolution into embracing the mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAIT cells) as a researcher in South Africa. His research, which now explores the role of these unconventional T cells in protection from infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, will contribute to our knowledge of how to make more effective vaccines against tuberculosis.
Mohamed Ahmed (PhD) is a fellow of the Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence (SANTHE) and a recent PhD graduate of the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) associated with the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in Durban, South Africa. In this episode, he talks about his return to tuberculosis (TB) research for his PhD after a not-so-motivating undergraduate experience. His PhD research showed that Interferon-gamma, a key regulator of TB immunity, interacts with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacterium that causes TB. This interaction, which increases Mtb virulence and metabolism, worsens TB infection. His findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that excessive immune responses might paradoxically be harmful to the control of human TB. In addition, the ability of Mtb to sense Interferon-gamma indicates an evolutionary measure to counter host immunity and enhance bacterial survival.
Current efforts to develop TB vaccines depend on boosting immune responses, as it is believed that natural immunity is inadequate to prevent disease. Mohamed hopes that the findings of his PhD research could inform future therapeutic and vaccine strategies to design more effective means to combat TB.
In this episode, Dr. Sonwabile Dzanibe, a research fellow at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, talks about his research and efforts to understand mother-to-child HIV exposure and develop vaccines for HIV-exposed children who have a higher risk of contracting diseases.
In this episode, Testimony Olumade, a research fellow at the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, takes us on his journey researching infectious diseases and expresses hope for the future of immunology research in Africa, while calling upon African immunology scientists to tell 'true and complete' stories of our research.
The Immunology in Africa Podcast (ImmunoAfrica) is dedicated to spotlighting immunology and related research in Africa. By amplifying the stories, struggles, and successes of Africans researching the immune system, it creates a platform for scientists, budding researchers, and members of the public to explore the immune system collectively.