Vanessa Mwebaza Muwanga

I am a Biomedical Scientist that attained her Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from Makerere University and went to pursue a Master’s degree in Immunology from the University of Aberdeen, where I graduated with a Distinction. At present, I am pursuing my PhD in Clinical Science & Immunology at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. I am working with the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI).

 

My current research work involves evaluating host gene signatures that are able to distinguish between TB and other respiratory diseases. My PhD is a three year program and the aim of my work is to contribute to the development of new biomarker-based diagnostic test for TB.

My main research interests include; The evaluation of potential biomarkers for TB, development of new TB diagnostics, understanding the immune responses present in individuals that have both TB and Diabetes, the role of PD-1 in TB disease progression, discovery and development of immunotherapies to treat HIV latency.