June 2026
Megan Burger completed a BHSc Honours degree in Medical Laboratory Science at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, where she developed a strong foundation in the field. Following her studies, she worked as a Medical Technologist in a tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic laboratory, gaining hands-on experience in clinical pathology and the laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases. This role sparked a deeper interest in the immunological mechanisms underlying TB and challenges associated with its diagnosis and management.
Driven by this interest, Megan pursued a master’s degree focused on TB immunology and the identification of host biomarkers for TB. Her research explored immune responses associated with TB disease and contributed to efforts to improve diagnostic and prognostic tools for TB. Through her postgraduate studies, she gained experience in immunological research techniques and developed a keen interest in translational research that bridges laboratory discovery with clinical applications.
Megan currently works as a Technical Officer in the Division of Immunology at Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, where she supports a range of immunology research projects through laboratory-based work and technical expertise. Her role involves contributing to studies that seek to advance understanding of immune responses in disease. Her combined experience in both diagnostic and research settings continues to shape her passion for laboratory science and its potential to improve global health outcomes.
During her time at Stellenbosch University, Megan was introduced to the Immunopaedia community by fellow ambassadors and team members. Through her involvement, she has contributed to the transfer of educational content on the Immunopaedia platform, supporting the our mission to make high-quality immunology education accessible to students and scientists worldwide.
We would love to hear more about your research. What projects are you currently working on and how do they impact the field?
Rather than focusing on a simple project, my role as a technical officer allows me to contribute to multiple projects within the Division of Immunology. My role is largely laboratory-based and involves sample processing, laboratory experiments, quality control and ensuring the laboratory work runs smoothly. This gives me exposure to a wide range of immunological research questions and techniques.
There are many areas of science and immunology is quite broad and complex. What inspired you to choose this particular branch of science over others?
What drew me to immunology is that it touches almost every area of health and disease. The immune system is incredibly complex and there is always something new to learn. I enjoy working in a field that is constantly evolving and has a direct impact on human health.
Could you tell us about your role as a Technical Officer at the Division of Immunology, Stellenbosch University?
My role involves supporting day-to-day laboratory activities within the division. This includes processing samples, performing laboratory assays, optimizing protocols, maintaining quality standards, troubleshooting technical issues and supporting ongoing research projects.
What specifically stood out about Immunopaedia that made you want to join our team?
Having transitioned from a diagnostic laboratory background into immunology research, I know how valuable accessible educational resources can be when learning a new field. I was impressed by how Immunopaedia translates challenging concepts into engaging and accessible learning resources. I was excited by an opportunity to contribute, even in a behind-the-scenes capacity, to a platform that has such a positive impact on scientific training.
Based on your own experience, what one piece of advice would you give someone who wants to study/research immunology?
Stay curious, ask questions, and don’t be intimidated by how broad the field can seem. Immunology is constantly evolving, focus on building a strong foundation and embrace opportunities to learn from people with different expertise.
What has been a moment of unexpected joy or surprise in your scientific career that has stayed with you?
Moving from clinical diagnostic laboratories into a research environment was a pleasant surprise. While I enjoyed the fast-paced nature of diagnostic labs, research gave me the opportunity to explore questions that diagnostics often cannot answer. Instead of focusing solely on generating an accurate, timely result, I became interested in understanding the immune processes underlying disease.
If not immunology, then what? What else would you have been when you “grow up”?
Most likely physiotherapy or occupational therapy. I have always enjoyed both science and physical activity, and physiotherapy combines those interests. Looking back, I’ve always had a bit of tunnel vision when it came to pursuing a career in healthcare.
Favourite music to blast while you’re in the lab?
Anything with good energy! Whether it’s pop, rap, or a playlist full of throwbacks.
Recent Publications:
- Waste to Worth: A diagnostic accuracy of Xpert MTB/XDR on contaminated liquid cultures to salvage the detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis. 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6409041/v1
May 2026 – Stefan Botha
Born and raised in South Africa, Stefan completed a BSc majoring in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, followed by a BSc Honours in Biochemistry, at Stellenbosch University. He then earned an MSc in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Cape Town, investigating the role of kisspeptin in pregnancy immunology.
After his MSc, Stefan worked as a technical officer, research assistant and project manager at research units at Stellenbosch University. Here he met Immunopaedia founder Prof. Clive Gray and joined Immunopaedia as a Junior Communications Officer. He has held this role for five years, helping to manage our social media presence and writing over 700 news articles (and counting) for the website.
His passion for women’s health led him to collaborate with Prof. Cathy Cluver and Prof. Lina Bergman, a friendship and mentorship that ultimately opened the door to his PhD programme. Stefan went on to secure a Melbourne Research Scholarship to study at the University of Melbourne and a place on the joint-PhD programme under the Berlin University Alliance (BUA). The programme has seen him spend two years in Melbourne and one in Berlin (at host institution – Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin) to conduct his research (supervised by Prof. Tu’uhevaha Kaitu’u-Lino). Stefan has been fortunate to receive several graduate and research awards and grants and currently serves as the graduate representative for his BUA cohort. He has also had the privilege of presenting at several international and local conferences throughout his PhD.
His PhD combines advanced molecular profiling – RNA-seq, scRNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics and proteomics – with an established screening pipeline to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for placental insufficiency. Through improving our understanding of the pathophysiology underlying placental insufficiency and related complications such as preeclampsia and foetal growth restriction, Stefan and the team hope to improve health outcomes for both mothers and babies. This work is especially urgent for South Africa and other low- and middle-income countries, where these conditions take a heavier toll. Stefan hopes to continue this work back in South Africa after completing his PhD.
You have a varied research and practical background (breast-cancer, TB, placental immunology). How did these experiences shape the researcher you are today?
It’s definitely given me a much broader approach to research than I think I would have had otherwise. Each field has its own culture, its own questions, and its own way of thinking. Moving between breast cancer, TB, and now placental biology has meant learning to read widely and translate between disciplines. Keeping current outside your immediate field only sharpens the approach you bring to your own.
More importantly, working across these areas has shown me how unevenly disease burden falls. That’s stayed with me, and it shapes the questions I think are worth asking.
The through-line across all three has been the same: how do we understand a complex biological problem well enough to actually help the patients carrying it? That’s the lens I now bring to everything.
Your PhD uses some advanced molecular profiling tools. Can you mention some of the challenges these bring? How do you see these tools being integrated in African research labs?
There’s been real progress in bringing these technologies and others, as well as novel approaches into African labs including: CERI, SA-MRC, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, African STARS fellowship Programme, AMI, SATVI, H3D, RIRCA, ACTI, H3ABioNet, CPGR, Synexa Life Sciences, Immobazyme, and OneBio Innovation Centre. The capabilities increasingly exist on the continent.
The biggest challenge, honestly, is cost. Platforms like spatial transcriptomics, and single-cell/nuclei sequencing, to name a few, carry a serious price tag, and although some concessions have been made for African science, the bulk of major funding still sits in the global north. I think equity of access has to be part of the conversation. Otherwise African researchers end up designing studies they have to ship abroad to actually run.
Beyond cost, another challenge is that there’s a steep learning curve. These methods are unforgiving, garbage in really does mean garbage out, and now most scientists are expected to bridge the wet-lab and computational worlds at once. That’s been one of the real privileges of my PhD. I’ve been exposed to some cutting-edge methodologies (manuscript in preparation, watch this space!).
Looking forward, I think integration on the continent will depend on hub-and-spoke models that share well-resourced facilities across regional networks, serious investment in computational training and technology platforms, and continental partnerships that pool samples and expertise rather than fragmenting them. Get those right and African labs won’t just adopt these technologies – they’ll shape how they’re used.
22 May is World Preeclampsia Day.
Preeclampsia is one of the key complications your research addresses. What do you most want the public, and the global health community, to understand about this condition, and where do you think research needs to go next?
Pregnancy should be one of the safest, most celebrated moments in a person’s life, and for far too many women, preeclampsia can be a devastating event. It’s a dangerous condition that contributes significantly to global perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Annually, preeclampsia affects roughly 4 million pregnancies worldwide. The burden falls disproportionately on countries like South Africa and other low- and middle-income countries, where the disease often presents more severely and where access to early detection and specialist care is limited.
What I most want people to understand is that every pregnancy deserves the reassurance of being a safe one. That means being able to identify women at risk, but crucially, also being able to do something about it.
Right now, the field is rich with research and advocacy aimed at improving clinical management. I recently wrote a piece for Immunopaedia covering some of the most promising new trials and approaches. We’ve made considerable gains in prediction, particularly with first-trimester risk algorithms and biomarkers. But I think the next frontier is prevention and treatment. There’s always the difficulty that in pregnancy we have two patients to consider, which justifiably places clinical trials under extreme scrutiny. Despite that, this space is genuinely accelerating, with the emergence of novel therapeutic strategies like nanoparticle-based delivery, targeted siRNA knockdowns, and PROTACs offering the possibility of placenta-specific intervention without exposing the foetus to systemic drugs.
I’d also hope to see LMICs included far more meaningfully in the pregnancy research landscape. The disease is more severe in these settings, the populations are often genetically and environmentally distinct, and yet the bulk of trial activity and biomarker development still happens in high-income countries. Equity of access to novel treatments and diagnostics has to be designed in from the start, not retrofitted later.
That’s a large part of why my own work focuses on understanding the molecular changes inside the diseased placenta itself – finding the targets and biomarkers. For me, the promise lies in moving from “we can tell a woman she’s at risk” toward “we can intervene safely, meaningfully, and equitably.”
28 May is World Women’s Health Day.
Maternal and women’s health remain chronically under-researched and under-resourced in low- and middle-income countries. What do you think needs to change, at both a scientific and a policy level, to address this inequality?
Women’s health is under-researched and under-funded globally! This reality I’ve encountered working across continents. Women make up half the population yet have historically been under-represented in clinical trials. Pregnant women are still so excluded they’re often called “therapeutic orphans”. This means many drugs routinely prescribed in pregnancy have never been formally studied in them.
At a scientific level, sex-disaggregated data needs to become the default, not the exception. Conditions that disproportionately affect women, endometriosis, PMOS, preeclampsia, autoimmune disease, need funding proportional to the burden they cause. And pregnancy needs to be treated as a physiological state worth studying, not a contraindication to enrolment.
We also need much stronger partnerships between academia and industry, and vice versa. Academic labs generate the discoveries; industry has the capital and infrastructure to translate them. Neither moves fast enough alone, especially in a field as historically under-invested as women’s health. Governments and funders need to incentivise these partnerships.
At a policy level, the inequality is even starker. LMICs carry the overwhelming maternal mortality burden but receive only a small fraction of global research investment. We need funding that prioritises the diseases and regions most affected, leadership roles for women from those regions, and health systems built around primary care and reproductive services as a foundation rather than an afterthought.
For me, the future has to be one where a woman in Mogadishu and a woman in New York have the same right to a safe, well-understood pregnancy, and where the science that gets us there is shaped by both.
You’ve been with Immunopaedia for five years! What drew you to science communication, and how has that work influenced how you think about and present your own research?
Immunopaedia has been a genuine privilege to be part of. What drew me in was the mission i.e. making immunology accessible to scientists and clinicians across the continent, particularly those in LMICs. Five years on, I’m a much better scientist. A big shout out to Prof. Clive Gray and Bon Holtak for given me the opportunity in what seems like ages ago.
Science communication forces a kind of clarity that bench/computational work alone doesn’t demand. Once you’ve had to explain research or a new therapeutic approach to a broad audience, the “so what” of your own research becomes much sharper. It’s also kept me reading widely, well outside my immediate field which is one of the most underrated habits in science. I now write my own papers, grants, and talks with that same lens in mind: who is reading this, and will it actually land?
You’ve had to navigate a life split between South Africa, Australia, and Germany.
What has the experience of conducting international research taught you about science, and about yourself?
I’ve thought about this a lot, and the honest answer is that international research has taught me how much of a privilege this whole journey has been. As a South African, the fact that I’ve been able to move/live between Melbourne and Berlin to do this work is something I don’t take for granted.
The science itself has been humbling. I’ve been exposed to techniques I genuinely wouldn’t have dreamed of working with – deep visual proteomics, spatial transcriptomics and single-cell methodologies. I have had the chance to learn from, collaborate with, and even meet, some of the pioneers who developed the techniques. To be doing my PhD between the University of Melbourne and the Charité is an extraordinary opportunity, and I’m aware of that every day.
What it’s taught me about myself is that I’m probably at my best when I’m out of my depth, surrounded by people who know more than I do. That’s where the growth happens.
What advice would you give to a young researchers who want to pursue a career in reproductive or maternal immunology?
My honest advice is to diversify yourself and not rely only on your scientific ability. Research trains you to be a good scientist, but the careers I admire most are built on much more than that. Read outside of academia i.e. policy, science communication, industry pipelines, startup environments, even patient advocacy. Engage with industry where you can; the future of academic science will increasingly be built jointly with them, and understanding that world early is a real advantage.
Build a network deliberately. Reproductive and maternal immunology is a small, generous field, and the people in it tend to be remarkably willing to help if you reach out. Relationships and community are how you actually figure out where you want to be, and how you get there. Some of the most important conversations in my career so far have happened over a coffee (why I’m here today), not in formal meetings.
Can you share a moment of unexpected joy or surprise in your scientific career over the past three years that has stayed with you?
For me, the unexpected joy of the past three years has been the community I’ve built. Leaving South Africa, my partner (now fiancé), my family, my friends, for my first time overseas to embark on this PhD was incredibly tough. I knew I’d meet new people; what I didn’t expect was the depth of those friendships, or how quickly they would come to feel like family. I now have people I can call on in Berlin, Melbourne, Cape Town, and well beyond, from completely different backgrounds and cultures.
That’s been the quiet surprise of this whole experience. The science has been extraordinary, but the people are what I’ll carry forward. It’s shaped who I’ve become and given me a perspective on the world I don’t think I could have gained any other way.
Your most recent publications:
- Botha SM, Bartho LA, Hartmann S, Cannon P, Nguyen A, Nguyen TV, Pritchard N, Dechend R, Nonn O, Tong S, Kaitu’u-Lino TJ. Thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) is dysregulated in preeclampsia. Placenta. 2026 Feb;174:19-31. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2025.11.013.
- Botha SM, Bartho LA, Hartmann S, Cannon P, Nguyen A, Nguyen TV, Pritchard N, Dechend R, Nonn O, Tong S, Kaitu’u-Lino TJ. Cystatin 6 (CST6) and Legumain (LGMN) are potential mediators in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 15;15(1):12945. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-96823-9.
- Hartmann S, Botha SM, Gray CM, Valdes DS, Tong S, Kaitu’u-Lino TJ, Herse F, Bergman L, Cluver CA, Dechend R, Nonn O. Can single-cell and spatial omics unravel the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia? J Reprod Immunol. 2023 Sep;159:104136. doi: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.104136.
- Beltran CGG, Kriel J, Botha SM, Nolan MB, Ciccarelli A, Loos B, Gutierrez MG, Walzl G. Correlative 3D imaging method for analysing lesion architecture in susceptible mice infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Dis Model Mech. 2025 Sep 1;18(9):dmm052185. doi: 10.1242/dmm.052185.
April 2026 – Veronica Cecilia Fuentes Rodrigue
Veronica Cecilia Fuentes Rodrigue is a general physician by training, and during her career, she has had the opportunity to collaborate at the Microbiology Department from the School of Medicine at Universidad Dr José Matías Delgado, where she met her first mentor, Dr Carlos Flores, PhD. He inspired Veronica with the way he taught immunology to the students, and he encouraged her to take on the challenge of teaching under his supervision. They also spent many hours discussing more in-depth immunology topics that she found fascinating, and Veronica realised there was a need to contribute to immunology education in El Salvador. This is why she chose to pursue postgraduate studies in immunology.
Veronica earned her master’s degree in microbiology and Immunology through the Fulbright Scholarship at Loyola University Chicago, under the supervision of her mentor, Dr Yee Ling Wu. Her research investigated how microbial products modulate the IgE response in vitro in allergies and asthma. After completing her degree, Veronica returned to El Salvador, where she is currently applying her expertise to teach basic immunology and microbiology to the next generation of medical students.
We would love to hear more about your aim to advance immunology and research capabilities in El Salvador.
Immunology has become one of the leading biomedical sciences with accelerated breakthroughs in medicine regarding diagnosis and novel treatments around the world, and up to this moment, there is no formal training for immunologic sciences in El Salvador. As a first step, my aim is to help strengthen immunology education for medical students in my country so they can be prepared to understand and contribute to this growing field, as well as to set up the foundation to promote the advancement of research capabilities in our country.
What projects are you currently working on and how do they contribute to immunology education?
We have formally adopted Immunopaedia as a teaching resource for the course of Basic Immunology at our School of Medicine, and we are using it as a reference in our teaching materials so our students can have access to global education.
We have started a project where current students are assigned clinical cases on different topics from the Immunopaedia website so they can correlate the concepts of basic science that we see in the classroom into clinical presentations. As their instructors, we help them to create a summary and a presentation of their topic to share it with the classroom, so they can actively participate in their own learning. We are immensely proud to see the exciting potential and capabilities of our students to better understand the underlying immunological mechanisms of diseases in topics such as infection, autoimmunity and cancer, to mention some.
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?
Yes, definitely in Central America we face challenges mainly related to funding, resources and infrastructure. At the moment, the main obstacle is that there are no precedents for basic immunology research in El Salvador, and we have to improve our laboratory facilities and develop grant proposals. I am adapting to better understand what the research gaps are and needs that can be addressed by immunology research in my country. Perhaps it might take some time as we actively seek to promote research; we are focusing on exposing future generations of medical professionals to free educational resources available online, such as Immunopaedia and virtual labs.
Congratulations on being honoured with a Fulbright Scholarship. How do you think this affected your journey through science?
I want to publicly express my gratitude to the Fulbright Scholarship Program because they granted me the opportunity to study my master’s in microbiology and Immunology in the United States. This has been a life-changing experience in my journey because it opened a new world of possibilities to start a career in science. I also want to sincerely thank the Microbiology & Immunology Department at Loyola University Chicago for their support and for giving me the opportunity to receive formal education and conduct supervised research in Immunology.
You have mentioned Dr Yee Ling Wu as your mentor. How has working under her changed your view of immunology?
The role of Dr Yee Ling Wu as a mentor has been the pillar of my career in Immunology. Here at the Wu Lab, it was my journey that officially began. Working under her supervision allowed me to understand the microbial interactions that modulate the adaptive immune responses, as well as learn first-hand immunology laboratory techniques and their respective data analysis and interpretation. She also contributed to my communication and presentation skills and supported me across many different opportunities to share our work with other scientists. Dr Wu is characterised by her passion for education and research, and she has been able to transmit that passion to me as an excellent role model.
What specifically stood out about Immunopaedia that made you want to become an ambassador?
I discovered Immunopaedia during the pandemic. At that time, I had recently started to work at the University, and like many others, we faced the challenge to adapt our teaching materials to virtual settings. By starting to use the Immunopaedia website, I had access to educational resources that helped me thrive during that time, and I was able to participate in IUIS webinars and take advantage of the valuable opportunity to connect with immunologists around the world. I then got interested in the role of the ambassadors in their respective countries and wanted to become part of it. After finishing my master’s studies, I was incredibly happy to be able to apply.
The International Day of Immunology will take place on 29th April. Do you have a message for your students, or anyone else interested in immunology?
I would like to encourage my students and other students in El Salvador and Central America with similar conditions to participate in the International Day of Immunology. Even though we face some limitations in our regions, this shouldn’t be an obstacle to learning science. We can still be part of international education and be connected around the globe. I also want to motivate them to learn and contribute locally to advance immunology education in our region!
Can you share a moment of unexpected joy or surprise in your scientific career that has stayed with you?
Being accepted as a Fulbright Scholar and being accepted at Loyola University Chicago were moments of extreme joy that I will always remember! But definitely, I also want to share the unexpected joys and surprises during my first time conducting research! Where learning how to perform a technique, for example, cell cultures (and actually getting it right), felt like a victory! Working extremely hard and persevering for those days with small victories led me to conclude my project. I will remember all of them with joy because they shaped where I am today.
Most recent publications:
- Rosales Hernández AM, Villeda Ortiz VA, Fuentes Rodríguez VC. Lifestyle factors with immunomodulatory effect against respiratory viral infections in adults. Alerta. 2022;5(2):139-145. DOI: 10.5377/alerta.v5i2.12803
- Fuentes Rodriguez, Veronica Cecilia, “In Vitro Modulation of IgE Response” (2025). Master’s Theses. 4579.https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_theses/4579
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.
