March 2026 – Matías Nicolás Distel
Matías Nicolás Distel is a Biochemistry graduate from the National University of San Luis (Argentina) and a doctoral fellow of CONICET (The National Scientific and Technical Research Council). He currently works at the Laboratory of Immunopathology and Flow Cytometry under the supervision of Dr Silvia Di Genaro. Matias’s journey in immunology began with a strong interest in understanding how the mucosal immune system interacts with commensal and pathogenic microorganisms. Over time, his work has focused on studying the gut-joint axis, particularly how a specific bacterium of the intestinal microbiota, known as Candidatus Arthromitus, commonly referred to as segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), modulates immune responses and contributes to post-infectious inflammatory processes.
Matias provided a very insightful interview with award-winning Dr Mehrnoosh Arrar as our Immunologist of the Month in February 2026.
We would love to hear more about your ongoing research. What projects are you currently working on and how do they contribute to our understanding of the gut–joint axis?
Currently, my research focuses on understanding how specific microorganisms of the intestinal microbiota, particularly segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), modulate systemic immune activation through the TNF/TNFR1 axis. We work with C57BL/6 wild-type and TNFR1 knockout murine models to analyze how the absence of signaling through the TNFR1 receptor impacts SFB colonization and the induction of Th17 responses in the small intestine. Given that SFB are potent inducers of IL-17–producing cells in the lamina propria, we are interested in determining how this microbiota–mucosal immune system interaction may be amplified or altered under conditions where TNF-mediated inflammatory signaling is modified. Through SFB-specific qPCR, intestinal IgA analysis, flow cytometry to characterize Th17 populations, and histological studies of the ileum, we aim to understand how immune signals originating in the intestinal mucosa may contribute to inflammatory processes in distant tissues, such as joints.
Your work explores the role of the intestinal microbiota in shaping immune responses. How do you see these findings influencing future approaches to managing inflammatory and infectious diseases?
Our findings support the idea that inflammation should not be treated merely as an isolated phenomenon of the affected organ but rather understood within the microbial context that shapes systemic immune activation. In this sense, strategies such as targeted microbiota modulation, rational use of antibiotics, or even interventions based on defined microbial consortia could become more precise therapeutic tools.
Moreover, understanding how microorganisms such as SFB shape Th17 cell polarization may help us design interventions that restore immunological balance without compromising host defense against pathogens.
What inspired you to choose immunology as your focus within science? How has your perspective evolved over time?
What initially attracted me to immunology was its breadth, its involvement in virtually all tissues of the body, and how a small change in this axis can be crucial both for maintaining health and for the development of autoimmune diseases, many of which remain poorly understood. Over time, my perspective evolved toward an even broader vision. During my undergraduate training, while taking courses such as microbiology, immunology, and clinical analysis, there was little integration between the microbiota and the immune system as we understand it today. For this reason, I can no longer conceive of the immune system without its environmental context. Immunology is no longer just the study of cells and cytokines, but rather a dynamic system influenced by microbiota, the environment, and even social factors. This transition toward an integrated view of immunology has been central to my scientific development.
Conducting advanced immunology research in Latin America often comes with unique challenges. What obstacles have you faced, and how have you adapted to continue pushing your work forward?
In Latin America, we face structural challenges such as budget limitations, delays in the importation of reagents, and restricted access to certain high-cost technologies. Additionally, in many countries across the region, the scientific system itself is currently being questioned, which further complicates the landscape. However, these challenges also push us to be more creative and rigorous in our experimental design. In my case, I have optimized protocols, developed specific primers using open-access bioinformatics tools, and strengthened collaborations with colleagues. I believe that doing science in our region requires persistence, collaboration, and a strong commitment to giving back to society what it has given us.
What specifically stood out about Immunopaedia that made you want to become an ambassador, and how has your experience as an ambassador shaped your journey?
I have always been passionate about education, and I believe that science communication is crucial for the growth of a region, especially in developing countries like mine. For this reason, I deeply value the work carried out by Immunopaedia, which strives to make knowledge more accessible to everyone and to give strong visibility to science from countries outside the so-called first world.
Being an ambassador represents, to me, an opportunity to actively contribute to the dissemination of scientific knowledge, particularly among young students and professionals in training. Moreover, being part of this community has reinforced my commitment to scientific communication and education in immunology.
Can you share a moment of unexpected joy or surprise in your scientific career that has stayed with you?
One of the most joyful moments in my career was being admitted as a doctoral fellow at CONICET. It is the most important scientific institution in Argentina, with strong international recognition, and its admission process is highly competitive. Receiving that news was a deeply meaningful experience. It not only represented the opportunity to formally begin my doctoral training, but also the validation of years of education, dedication, and commitment to science. It was a mixture of excitement, pride, and gratitude. In that moment, I understood that all the previous effort, the long hours in the laboratory, the constant studying, and the challenges overcome, had been worthwhile, and that I was taking a decisive step in my path as a researcher.
February 2026 – Claire Baine
Claire Baine is a Ugandan laboratory technologist specialising in infectious diseases and vaccine immunology, currently working in the Immunomodulation and Vaccines (I‑Vac) Group at the MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit. Her journey in immunology began as a volunteer at national reference and research laboratories, working on HIV and COVID‑19 diagnostics and monitoring at Central Public Health Laboratories and the UVRI HIV Reference Laboratory, which exposed Claire to high‑throughput virology and quality‑assured testing systems. This experience led her to the Department of Immunology at UVRI, where she transitioned fully into vaccine research, supporting pre‑clinical vaccine studies, coordinating an inactivated COVID‑19 vaccine pilot, and performing detailed immunological assays such as ELISA, flow cytometry, ELISpot, and pseudo virus neutralisation. The varied projects at these different labs shaped Claire’s growth towards becoming an independent vaccine immunology researcher. Her goal is to participate in studies or research that bridges real-world vaccine effectiveness with different institutions involved in vaccine production.
Read about Claire’s Experience at the Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS) 2026
We would love to hear more about your ongoing research. What projects are you currently working on, and how do they impact the field?
Currently, my main research is within the Vaccines for Vulnerable People (VAnguard) project in the I‑Vac group, which explores how structural, social, and biological factors combine to influence vaccine impact in communities in Kenya and Uganda. My role focuses on generating immune and metabolic profiles of participants, including processing blood to obtain PBMCs and plasma, stool processing for microbiome‑related work, and running multiplex viral serology (Luminex‑200), flow cytometry, and ELISA‑based assays. By linking these detailed biological measurements to real‑world contexts, our work aims to define biological proxy markers for vaccine efficacy and impact, helping to identify populations that may need tailored vaccination strategies or additional support. In parallel, I contribute to exploratory studies using stored samples from the POPVAC trials to understand environmental and biological drivers of vaccine responses in rural versus urban Ugandan settings, complementing my previous COVID‑19 Immunoprofiling work on durability and quality of antibody and T‑cell responses after different vaccines. Collectively, these projects strengthen the evidence base for context‑appropriate vaccine policy in sub‑Saharan Africa by connecting laboratory immunology with public‑health decision‑making in vulnerable populations.
Please tell us about your work in vaccine development and intervention strategies.
My work in vaccine development and intervention strategies has focused on generating and applying immunological evidence to inform how vaccines are designed, evaluated, and implemented in real-world settings. In earlier roles at the Uganda Virus Research Institute, I have contributed to research aimed at understanding the quality, durability, and breadth of immune responses elicited by different vaccine platforms, particularly for infectious diseases of public-health importance in sub-Saharan Africa. I contributed to multiple COVID-19 vaccine evaluation studies, generating antibody and T-cell response data for adenoviral vector, mRNA, and inactivated vaccines. These studies provided critical insights into immune durability, booster responses, and the influence of prior infection, evidence that directly informed local vaccination strategies and policy discussions.
More recently, my work has increasingly emphasised intervention strategies that go beyond vaccine composition alone. By integrating immunological data with contextual factors such as baseline immune status, co-infections, nutrition, and environmental exposures, I contribute to research aimed at identifying populations that may require modified vaccination schedules, booster timing, or complementary public-health interventions. Collectively, my work supports a shift from one-size-fits-all vaccination approaches toward more context-appropriate, evidence-based strategies that maximise vaccine impact in vulnerable populations.
What inspired you to choose immunology as your focus within the field of science? Has this evolved over time?
My initial interest during my undergraduate training was in molecular biology. However, this began to evolve when I undertook an internship at the Uganda Virus Research Institute, where my exposure to immunology and infectious disease research sparked a deeper curiosity about the immune system and its role in protecting health. I became particularly interested in how vaccines work to prevent disease, how immune responses can be measured, and how vaccine efficacy can be evaluated and optimised in real-world settings to improve the management of infectious diseases.
Over time, this interest has developed into a more focused passion for immunology and vaccinology, driven by the recognition that understanding immune mechanisms is central to addressing both existing and emerging health challenges. Working alongside supportive supervisors and mentors has played a significant role in this evolution. Their guidance has not only strengthened my technical and analytical skills but also encouraged me to pursue opportunities that have broadened my understanding of vaccine-induced immunity and translational research. These experiences have reinforced my commitment to immunology as a field with immense potential to improve population health, particularly in settings disproportionately affected by infectious diseases.
It’s International Women’s Day on the 8th of March. As a woman in STEM, what do you think still needs to be highlighted as an aim for Women’s Day?
As a woman in STEM, I think World Women’s Day should continue to highlight the importance of recognising and celebrating small moments, small wins, and the lessons learned along the way. We live in a fast-paced society that places constant pressure on people, especially women, to always be doing more, moving faster, and achieving the next milestone. While ambition and growth are important, it is equally important to pause and acknowledge progress, no matter how small. These moments remind us why we started and help sustain us through challenging periods. For those just starting out in the field, I would emphasise the value of seeking out and engaging with people who are in positions you aspire to reach. Ask questions, learn from their journeys, and be open to guidance, because, from my experience so far, there is almost always someone willing to share their story and support others. Most importantly, be confident in the knowledge and skills you have, and use them to positively impact those around you. Do not be afraid to learn or to try something new; growth comes from taking the first step, making mistakes, and continuously improving.
What specifically stood out about Immunopaedia that made you want to become an ambassador, and how has your experience as an ambassador affected you?
I was first introduced to Immunopaedia by a work colleague who was once an ambassador. On doing more reading about Immunopaedia, what stood out to me was the commitment to making immunology accessible and to showcasing diverse career paths within the field. The idea of using the platform not only to share my own work, but also to encourage and guide students and early-career scientists trying to enter immunology, strongly resonated with me and motivated me to apply to become an ambassador. My experience as an ambassador has been very enriching. It has pushed me to actively engage with the broader immunology community by reading and learning from the profiles of researchers across different sub-disciplines and career stages. This exposure has broadened my perspective on the field and highlighted the many ways immunology can be applied in research, clinical practice, and industry. Additionally, the role has strengthened my science communication skills and reinforced the importance of mentorship and representation in supporting the next generation of immunologists.
Can you share a moment of unexpected joy or surprise in your scientific career over the past three years that has stayed with you?
One moment of unexpected joy was being selected as a mentee in the Early Career Mentorship Programme for Women Working in Vaccinology under the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). This opportunity allowed me to connect with exceptional mentors (Dr. Caryn Fenner and Mahlet Woldemariam) and fellow mentees who have provided, and continue to provide invaluable guidance, encouragement, and perspective. Under the NASEM leadership of Daniel Placht and Sofia Bowman, the programme created a supportive and empowering space to openly discuss not only scientific growth and career development, but also how to navigate life as a woman in science alongside other personal and professional commitments. The sense of community, generosity, and shared experience was both deeply affirming, and it has stayed with me as a reminder of the power of mentorship and solidarity in shaping scientific careers.
Claire Baine’s most recent publications:
Timothy Etyang, Ludoviko Zirimenya, Maureen Njue, Robinah Nalwanga, Flavia Zalwango, Kelvin Mokaya Abuga, Henry K Karanja, Noni Mumba, Esther. A. Owino, Winnie Eoju, Christine Kukundakwe, Denis Nsubuga, Claire Baine, Bridgious Walusimbi, Gyaviira Nkurunungi, Agnes Natukunda, Monica Chibita, David Kaawa Mafigiri, Dorcas Kamuya, Sarah Atkinson, Primus Chi, Emily L Webb, Caroline L. Trotter, Pontiano Kaleebu, Alison M Elliott, NIHR VAnguard group. 2024. VAnguard Community Study: Exploring Interrelationships Between Structural, Social, and Biological Determinants of Vaccine Impact in Kenya and Uganda. NIHR Open Research. https://doi.org/10.3310/nihropenres.13925.1
Jennifer Serwanga, Gerald Kevin Oluka, Claire Baine, Violet Ankunda, Jackson Sembera, Laban Kato, Joseph Ssebwana Katende, Geoffrey Odoch, Betty Oliver Auma, Ben Gombe; COVID-19 Immunoprofiling Team; Monica Musenero, Pontiano Kaleebu.2024. Persistent and robust antibody responses to ChAdOx1-S Oxford-AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1-S, Covishield) SARS-CoV-2 vaccine observed in Ugandans across varied baseline immune profiles. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0303113
Serwanga Jennifer, Kato Laban, Oluka Gerald Kevin, Ankunda Violet, Sembera Jackson, Claire Baine, Kitabye Isaac, Namuyanja Angela, Opio Solomon, Katende Joseph Ssebwana, Ejou Peter, The COVID-19 Immunoprofiling Team, Kaleebu Pontiano. 2024. The Single-Dose Janssen Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 Vaccine Elicited Robust and Persistent Anti-Spike IgG Antibody Responses in A 12-Month Ugandan Cohort. Frontiers in Immunology. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1384668
January 2026 – Diary Juliannie NY MIORAMALALA
Diary Juliannie NY MIORAMALALA is originally from Madagascar and is currently a researcher at the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar. She attended the Immuno-Cambodia course in 2025 where she was one of the volunteer rapporteurs during the course. Diary also helped to compile the full participant report for the course from her peers. She joined the Immunopaedia Ambassador team officially this month.
Thank you, Diary! We are happy to have you on the team.
Read the Immuno-Cambodia Participant Report
Please introduce yourself and tell us about your journey in immunology research.
I am a research engineer with a passion for immunology, a journey that really took off during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, I worked on understanding the serological background and adaptive immunity of populations, validating diagnostic tools across multiple centres, and comparing immunity across African countries. Our lab was reorganising its activities, and I found myself setting up new technical platforms—a challenge that quickly boosted my skills and confidence in the lab.
Over the years, I’ve been lucky to work on projects ranging from immune profiling and antibody responses to cellular immunology. These experiences have taught me the importance of patience, careful experimental design, and the power of combining data from multiple angles to understand the immune system.
What drives me most is translational research—taking discoveries from the bench to strategies that can prevent or modulate disease, especially in low-resource or endemic settings like Madagascar. My goal is to pursue a PhD in immunology, focusing on vaccines, allergies, and immune tolerance, and to use science to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
We would love to hear more about your ongoing research. What projects are you currently working on, and how do they impact the field?
More recently, my research has focused on infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and plague, with particular attention to the interplay between host immunity and environmental factors.
Currently, I am involved in a project aimed at the immunological validation of innovative techniques designed to discriminate across the tuberculosis disease spectrum, from latent infection to active disease. Through immune profiling and biomarker analysis, this work seeks to improve diagnostic accuracy and to support the prediction of disease progression. Ultimately, this project aims to contribute to earlier and more precise TB diagnosis, which could have a significant impact on disease control and patient management.
Please tell us about your work on vaccine development and intervention strategies.
Our work in vaccine-related research does not focus on vaccine formulation or manufacturing. Instead, it is dedicated to identifying immune correlates of protection in human populations and elucidating the immunological mechanisms that underpin effective immunity.
By studying patients with distinct immune profiles, we aim to define immune signatures associated with natural protection or disease control. This includes the characterisation of antibody responses, cellular immunity, and functional immune markers.
These insights are essential for informing vaccine development and intervention strategies, as they help identify relevant immune targets, guide immune-based stratification, and support the design and evaluation of preventive or therapeutic interventions.
What inspired you to choose immunology as your focus within the field of science? Has this evolved over time?
Since the very beginning of my scientific training, starting from my undergraduate studies, I have been drawn to immunology. To me, it is one of the most inspiring fields in biology, as it seeks to understand the body’s natural defence systems, the “soldiers” of the organism and how they can be strengthened to protect the individual.
What continues to fascinate me is that these defences rely on a highly organised and finely regulated network that operates continuously to keep us alive. Despite constant external challenges, the immune system maintains balance and resilience daily, illustrating the existence of a remarkably efficient and well-defined protective system. Over time, this initial fascination has evolved into a deeper scientific interest in understanding immune mechanisms in the context of disease, prevention, and intervention strategies.
It is the International Women & Girls in Science Day on the 11th of February. What would you say to a young woman entering the field of immunology?
If you are a young woman considering a path in immunology: don’t hesitate; go ahead! Immunology is a science that touches every life, and it needs your sensitivity, your critical thinking, your persistence, and your courage. Your perspective and your energy are not just welcome; they are essential.
Remember also that immunology is not only in textbooks, it also lives in observations and experiments. Never forget the basics, but always keep in mind that what you hold in your hands in the lab could be new knowledge and meaningful results.
What specifically stood out about Immunopaedia that made you want to become an ambassador, and how has your experience as an ambassador affected you?
From a personal perspective, working in Madagascar can sometimes feel isolating from the global scientific community—and at times from the world more broadly. Immunopaedia serves as a gateway and a shared space where immunologists from diverse backgrounds feel connected.
It is a platform I turn to when I feel uncertain or need to re-anchor myself in the fundamentals and realities of immunology. Becoming an ambassador allows me to actively contribute to this community, to stay connected, and to remain grounded in the evolving, real-time landscape of science.
Can you share a moment of unexpected joy or surprise in your scientific career over the past three years that has stayed with you?
One moment of unexpected joy in my scientific career over the past three years was the publication of my first paper. While it was not cutting-edge science, it represented a substantial amount of work, requiring patience, resource management, endurance in the lab, and persistence. Seeing it finally published was incredibly rewarding and reminded me that dedication and consistent effort truly pay off.
Recent Publications:
SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies in Three African Countries Following Multiple Distinct Immune Challenges. Ny Mioramalala DJ, Ratovoson R, Tagnouokam-Ngoupo PA, Abessolo Abessolo H, Mindimi Nkodo JM, Bouting Mayaka G, Tsoungui Atangana PC, Randrianarisaona F, Pélembi P, Nzoumbou-Boko R, CotiReckoundji CSG, Manirakiza A, Rahantamalala A, Randremanana RV, Tejiokem MC, Schoenhals M.Vaccines (Basel). 2024 Mar 27;12(4):363. doi: 10.3390/vaccines12040363.
Multiple SARS-CoV-2 immunizations of an unvaccinated population lead to complex immunity. A T cell reactivity study of blood donors in Antananarivo. Razafimahatratra SL, Andriatefy OH, Ny Mioramalala DJ, Tsatoromila FAM, Randrianarisaona F, Dussart P, Schoenhals M. Journal of Infection and Public Health, 2023, 17(1), 175-181. doi: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.11.020.
Development and comparative evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD and N based ELISA tests in various African endemic settings. Benabdessalem C, Hamouda WB, Marzouki S, Faye R, Mbow AA, Diouf B, Ndiaye O, Dia N, Faye O, Sall AA, Diagne CT, Amellal H, Ezzikouri S, Ny Mioramalala DJ, Randrianarisaona F, Trabelsi K, Boumaiza, M, Hamouda SB, Ouni R, Bchiri S, Chaaban A, Gdoura, Yousr Gorgi M, Sfar I, Yalaoui S, Khelil JB, Hamzaoui A, Abdallah M, Cherif Y, Petres S, Mok CKP, Escriou N, Quesney S, Dellagi K, Schoenhals M, Sarih M, Vigan-Womas I, Bettaieb J, Rourou S, Barbouche MR, Ahmed MB, Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease,Volume 105, Issue 4, 2023, doi : 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2023.115903.
