Immunologist of the Month
Every month we feature a new interview with an Immunologist. These Immunologists are at the cutting-edge of research and education, they have kindly offered to give us their time and insight into their research and studies.
July 2025
Dr. Justin Komguep Nono is a Cameroonian immunoparasitologist known for his work on host–helminth interactions, particularly how helminths modulate immune and vaccine responses. He heads the Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and the Immunobiology of Helminth Infections Unit at the Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies of the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation in Yaoundé, Cameroon. A former Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town, he holds leadership roles in the Global Schistosomiasis Alliance, the Cameroon Immunology Society, and the Federation of African Immunological Societies. His contributions to infectious disease research in Africa have earned him accolades and research funds from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, the African Academy of Sciences, the UK Royal Society, the Welcome Centre from Integrative Parasitology and many more.
Read more – Justin Komguep Nono
June 2025
Professor Kondwani Jambo is a Research Group Leader at the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Research Programme (MLW) and Professor of Immunology and Infection at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. With a PhD from the University of Liverpool, he’s completed postdoctoral training at MLW and Cornell University, USA. His accolades include fellowships from Wellcome, MRC/FCDO, and the Gates Foundation. He currently leads the Immunology Society of Malawi and founded the Science For All Foundation. His research targets mucosal pathogens like HIV, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and TB, aiming to improve vaccination strategies and reduce disease burden in low- and middle-income countries.
Read more – Kondwani Jambo
May 2025
Dr Lucy Ochola is the Head of the Tropical and Infectious Diseases Department at the Institute of Primate Research, Kenya. She is also a Research Associate at the Department of Environmental Health, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. Dr Ochola started her career at the University of Manchester, UK and earned her PhD in Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology at the University of Basel, Switzerland. Lucy’s work focuses on advancing research in malaria and other infectious diseases and co-infections while fostering global collaborations in immunology and tropical medicine. Dr Ochola is the Kenya Society for Immunology (KSI) Secretary General and Vice-President of the Federation of African Immunology Societies (FAIS).
Read more – Lucy Ochola
April 2025
Dr Tomabu Adjobimey is a Beninese scientist and Associate Professor of Immunology and Microbiology under the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES). He earned his PhD in Immunology from the University of Bonn in Germany, where he served as a research group leader at the Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology. Dr Adjobimey founded ImmunoScience Solutions (ISS), a science-driven startup focused on immuno-preventive strategies and scientific consultations. Tomabu’s research looks at the complex relationship between helminth infections and immune tolerance. This relationship may offer valuable insights into potential autoimmune disease and allergy therapies.
Read more – Tomabu Adjobimey
March 2025
Dr. Mehrnaz Mesdaghi earned her MD and PhD from Tehran University of Medical Sciences and is an Associate Professor of Immunology at Shahid Beheshti University, Iran. She founded and directs the Allergy and Primary Immunodeficiency Lab at Mofid Children’s Hospital and oversees clinical research efforts there. Her research focuses on allergies, particularly eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders and food allergies, contributing significantly to understanding these conditions. Dr. Mesdaghi is the president of the Iranian Society of Immunology and council member of both FIMSA and IUIS, she is also an advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM fields.
Read more – Mehrnaz Mesdaghi
