Anne Wajja

Anne Wajja

Senior Scientist 

MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Uganda

Tel: +256 778 103960 / +256 701 518778

Email: wajja2002@gmail.com or Anne.Wajja@mrcuganda.org

 

 

 

VALIDATE Role:

Network Associate

 

Research Keywords: 

TB, Clinical Trials, Vaccine Development, Infectious Diseases

 

Biography:

I am a medical doctor with an MBChB degree from Makerere University, Uganda and a Masters of Science degree in epidemiology from the University of Toronto in Canada. I did a research fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto doing mainly community-based research in asthma, other childhood respiratory diseases and childhood surgeries.

My main research interests are vaccines and vaccine development especially for TB and other infectious diseases; clinical trials; respiratory diseases; immunomodulating factors such as worms and other diseases and more recently the emerging areas of the use of Controlled Human Infection Models (CHIMs) for vaccine development.

In my current position as a senior scientist and project leader at the MRC/UVRI Research Unit, I lead clinical trials particularly of vaccines for TB and other infectious diseases among children and adolescents. We recently completed a clinical trial investigating the effect of Schistosoma mansonii infection on the immunogenicity of a candidate TB vaccine, MVA85A among adolescents. I currently lead a team that is in preparations to conduct a Phase IIa randomised, open-label trial among Ugandan adolescents comparing ChAdOx1 85A prime followed by MVA85A boost versus BCG re-vaccination in a 13-year old birth cohort of the Entebbe Mother and Baby Study (EMaBS). This trial will start in the the first quarter of 2018. I am pursuing PhD studies in Clinical trials and Epidemiology with a specific interest in vaccinology and particularly TBvaccines at the University of Amsterdam.

Prior to my current position, I was the project manager of a 5-year capacity building TB vaccine preparedness project aimed at preparing the site to conduct large phase II and III TB vaccine trials. I have previously worked in TB research in Uganda where I worked on a number of phase I and II clinical trials for TB drugs, TB immunology and early TB vaccines e.g Mycobacteria Vaccae.

 

Key Publications:

  • Wajja  A,  Kizito  D,  Nassanga  B,  Nalwoga  A,    Kabagenyi  J,  Kimuda  S, Galiwango R, Mutonyi G,  Vermaak S, Satti I, Verweij J, Tukahebwa E, Cose S, Levin J, Kaleebu P, Elliott AM, McShane H. The effect of current Schistosoma mansoni infection on the immunogenicity of a candidate TB vaccine,  MVA85A,  in  BCG-vaccinated adolescents:  an  open-label  trial. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017 May 4;11(5):e0005440.
  • Ssengooba  W,  Gelderbloem  SJ,  Mboowa  G,  Wajja  A,  Namaganda  C, Musoke P, Mayanja-Kizza H, Joloba ML. Feasibility of establishing a biosafety level 3 tuberculosis culture laboratory of acceptable quality standards in a resource-limited setting: an experience from Uganda. Health Res Policy Syst. 2015 Jan 15;13:4.
  • Nabongo P, Verver S, Nangobi E, Mutunzi R, Wajja A, Mayanja-Kizza H, Kadobera D, Galiwango E, Colebunders R, Musoke P. Two year mortality and associated factors in a cohort of children from rural Uganda. BMC Public Health. 2014 Apr 5;14:314.
  • Lutwama F,  Kagina  BM,  Wajja  A,  Waiswa  F,  Mansoor  N,  Kirimunda S, Hughes EJ, Kiwanuka N, Joloba ML, Musoke P, Scriba TJ, Mayanja-Kizza H, Day CL, Hanekom WA. Distinct T-cell responses when BCG vaccination is delayed from birth to 6 weeks of age in Ugandan infants. J Infect Dis. 2014 Mar;209(6):887-97.
  • Waako J,  Verver S,  Wajja A,  Ssengooba W, Joloba ML,  Colebunders R, Musoke P, Mayanja-Kizza H. Burden of tuberculosis disease among adolescents in a rural cohort in Eastern Uganda. BMC Infect Dis. 2013 Jul 26;13:349.
  • Asiimwe BB, Bagyenzi GB, Ssengooba W, Mumbowa F, Mboowa G, Wajja A, Mayanja-Kiiza H, Musoke PM, Wobudeya E, Kallenius G, Joloba ML. Species and genotypic diversity of non-tuberculous mycobacteria isolated from children investigated for pulmonary tuberculosis in rural Uganda. BMC Infect Dis. 2013 Feb 18;13:88.
  • Ssengooba W, Kateete DP, Wajja A, Bugumirwa E, Mboowa G, Namaganda C, Nakayita G, Nassolo M, Mumbowa F, Asiimwe BB, Waako J, Verver S, Musoke P, Mayanja-Kizza H, Joloba ML. An Early Morning Sputum Sample Is Necessary for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Even with More Sensitive Techniques: A Prospective Cohort Study among Adolescent TB- Suspects in Uganda. Tuberc Res Treat. 2012;2012:970203.
  • Hatherill M, Verver S, Mahomed H; Taskforce on Clinical Research Issues, Stop TB Partnership Working Group on TB Vaccines. Consensus statement on diagnostic end points for infant tuberculosis vaccine trials. Clin Infect Dis. 2012 Feb 15;54(4):493-501.
  • Buregyeya  E,  Kulane  A,  Colebunders  R,  Wajja  A,  Kiguli  J,  Mayanja  H, Musoke P, Pariyo G, Mitchell EM. Tuberculosis knowledge, attitudes and health-seeking behaviour in  rural  Uganda Int  J  Tuberc  Lung  Dis.  2011 Jul;15(7):938-42
  • Hertoghe T. Wajja A. Ntambi L. Okwera A. Aziz MA. Hirsch C. Johnson J. Toossi Z. Mugera R. Mugyenyi P. Colebunders R. Ellner J. Vanham G. T cell activation, apoptosis and cytokine dysregulation in the (co)pathogenesis of   HIV and pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) Clinical & Experimental Immunology. 122(3):350-7, 2000 Dec.