ASM Future Leaders Mentorship Fellowship (FLMF) – Mentor: I serve as a mentor in this program, supporting early-career scientists in microbial genomics, bioinformatics, and scientific leadership.
Chapter 9:
Genomics & Infectious Diseases in Africa
Published by
CRC Press (Taylor & Francis Group)
BMC Genomics: Genomics of Human Pathogens
MDPI Pathogens: Genomic Epidemiology & Drug Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
BMC Infectious Diseases: Bacteriophages Against Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria
Role: Editorial Board Member of BMC Infectious Diseases.
My work focuses on utilizing DNA sequencing technologies and computational tools for pathogen detection, characterization, and antimicrobial resistance surveillance, aligning with the WHO’s Sustainable Development Goal 3.
Blog Link: Read Here
This study, funded under the EDCTP Career Development Fellowship, enrolled 144 HIV-infected children presenting with non-malarial febrile illnesses at the Baylor Children’s Clinic in Uganda.
Newsletter: Advancing Diagnostics for Non-Malarial Febrile Illnesses in HIV-Infected Children
Focus: Enhancing Antiretroviral Treatment Monitoring and Public Health Outcomes. This blog discusses the integration of next-generation sequencing (NGS) into HIV drug resistance testing, highlighting its superior sensitivity in detecting resistance mutations and enabling timely adjustments to antiretroviral therapy.
Blog: Implementation of Next-Generation Sequencing-Based HIV Drug Resistance Testing
Date: December 12, 2024
The WHO hosted a webinar on pathogen genomics for managing cholera outbreaks. Key topics included understanding transmission dynamics, strengthening surveillance, and informing public health interventions.
Webinar Presentation: Pathogen Genomics in Health Emergencies: Spotlight Cholera
Details: WHO EPI-WIN Webinar
Slides: View Presentation Slides
Event: PHA4GE Conference 2023
Date: October 30 – November 1, 2023
Location: Cavalli Estate, Cape Town, South Africa
The conference explored topics related to public health and genomics.
Conference Presentation: Africa Pathogen Data Management & Exchange Platform
AFROSCREEN Webinar Presentation: Watch Here
This interview emphasizes the critical role of genomics in understanding and combating the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights how genomic sequencing enabled rapid identification of SARS-CoV-2, supporting the development of diagnostic tests and vaccines. The piece also discusses the importance of global collaboration in genomic surveillance to monitor viral mutations and prepare for future pandemics.
Q & A: What can we do better for the pandemics that may come?
This presentation showcases the power of genomics in the fight against COVID-19 and discusses how genomic sequencing has been pivotal in identifying SARS-CoV-2 variants, understanding transmission patterns, and informing public health interventions. It also highlights the importance of global collaboration and data sharing to monitor viral mutations, support vaccine development, and strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks.
Presentation: World Health Summit Africa Regional Meeting
A study conducted at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Uganda from 2014 to 2018 revealed a significant increase in antimicrobial resistance among patients in surgical wards. Resistance levels to commonly used antibiotics, including penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems, escalated markedly during this period. These findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen infection prevention and control practices, implement robust antibiotic stewardship programs, and enhance laboratory capacity for timely culture and sensitivity testing.
Dissemination of AMR Policy Brief: Watch Presentation
Summary of AMR Policy Brief: Read Summary
The Mérieux Foundation and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) co-hosted a two-hour webinar on September 15, 2021, at 3 PM (CET), focusing on strengthening laboratory capacity for genomic sequencing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Q & A: Laboratory Capacity Strengthening for Genomic Sequencing in LMICs
My science journey has been driven by curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures. I have built a strong foundation by seeking mentorship, collaborating on research, and embracing new opportunities. By staying adaptable and continuously refining my skills, I strive to make meaningful contributions and establish myself in the scientific community.
Webinar Presentation: My Science Journey: How to Make Your Inroads in Science
Research Topic:
Identifying host-genetic factors influencing the progression of HIV disease in Ugandan and Botswana pediatric populations. Funding: Collaborative African Genomics Network (CAfGEN) of Human Heredity & Health in Africa (H3Africa) and THRiVE consortium.
PhD Defense: My PhD Defense Presentation
The progression from HIV infection to AIDS varies among individuals and is influenced by several factors, including genetics. The research I conducted while at Makerere University categorized HIV-infected children into two distinct groups based on disease progression rates.
🔹 Rapid Progressors (RP): Individuals who develop AIDS symptoms within three years or less after HIV infection without treatment. 🔹 Long-Term Non-Progressors (LTNP): Individuals who remain asymptomatic and do not develop AIDS for more than ten years post-infection without treatment.
My study involved analyzing blood samples from 314 participants, comprising 173 rapid progressors and 141 non-progressors. By examining their genetic profiles, I aimed to identify genetic markers associated with the rate of disease progression. The findings suggested that certain genetic factors influenced an individual's susceptibility to rapid HIV-disease progression.
Understanding these genetic factors can assist healthcare providers in prioritizing treatment for those most at risk of rapid progression, especially in settings where access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is limited. While current guidelines recommend initiating ART for all individuals diagnosed with HIV, insights from such research could inform strategies to optimize treatment allocation and management.
Continued research in this area is crucial for developing personalized treatment approaches and improving outcomes for individuals living with HIV.
The Independent | Newspaper: Researcher Studies How Long It Takes for an HIV-Positive Person to Develop AIDS
Video Feature: Genes can determine the years a person living with HIV will take to develop AIDS if not on treatment
This presentation examines the successes and failures of grant writing, providing an in-depth analysis of common pitfalls and effective strategies in the grant application process. It emphasizes the importance of aligning proposals with funder priorities, clearly articulating objectives, and demonstrating the potential impact of the proposed work. It also highlights the value of thorough preparation, understanding reviewer expectations, and remaining resilient in the face of rejection by treating unsuccessful applications as learning opportunities for future submissions.
Topic: H3Africa: Successes and Failures of Grant Writing, September 15, 2020
Presentation: Successes & Failures of Grant Applications
Member, DS-I Africa Partnership & Outreach Working Group: The working group supports the consortium’s goal of enhancing the impact of data science on health in Africa.
Member, PHA4GE Bioinformatics Pipelines & Visualization: Bioinformatics Pipelines & Visualization
This group focuses on the establishment of standards and best practices for bioinformatics pipeline development, workflow templating, and workflow management.
Editorial Board Member, Communications Medicine: Editorial Board
Editorial Board Member, BMC Genomics: Editorial Board
Associate Editor, BMC Infectious Diseases: Editorial Board
Editorial Board Member, Global Health, Epidemiology & Genomics: Editorial Board
Section Editor, Journal of Public Health in Africa (JPHiA): Editorial Team
African Population Cohort Consortium (APCC) Omics Workstream: Collaborators
The Collaboration for the Establishment of an African Population Cohorts Consortium (CE-APCC) is building a transformative platform for population-based cohort studies in Africa. It brings together scientists, policymakers, community contributors, and other stakeholders to advance collaborative research and support evidence-based decision-making.