Effect of the menopausal transition on HIV-1 reservoir outgrowth in a longitudinal cohort in Rakai, Uganda

I was born and raised in the greater Masaka region of southern Uganda, a place both culturally rich and resilient, yet long burdened by the country’s highest HIV prevalence. For me, HIV/AIDS has always been more than a public health issue—it is a deeply personal reality. I grew up witnessing the pain, stigma, and loss that accompanied the epidemic in my family and community. These experiences planted in me a deep and enduring desire to contribute meaningfully to efforts toward HIV cure or vaccine development.

This desire has since matured into a focused pursuit of biomedical research. I began this journey with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry at Makerere University, where I was introduced to the molecular and cellular basis of disease. I developed a strong interest in virology and the immune system—fields that offer insight into how HIV persists despite decades of treatment advances.

Following my degree, I joined the Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP), a renowned research and health service organization at the forefront of HIV research in Uganda. At RHSP, I participated in field and lab-based studies on HIV epidemiology, treatment, and prevention. This hands-on experience in a high-impact setting sharpened my skills and confirmed my commitment to HIV research.

To expand my knowledge, I enrolled in the University of Oxford’s online postgraduate program, Vaccinology in Africa. This course deepened my understanding of immunopathogenesis, vaccine-induced immunity, and pathogen-host interactions. I was especially drawn to the concept of rational vaccine design, which links immune responses to structural biology in the fight against complex viruses like HIV.

Motivated to pursue more rigorous training, I later earned a Master of Health Science (MHSc) in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, supported by a Fogarty Global Health Training Grant. This intensive program provided foundational knowledge in immunology, virology, and molecular biology. I also received practical training in techniques such as flow cytometry, qPCR, ELISA, CRISPR gene editing, and cell culture—skills essential for experimental virology and immunology.

After completing my MHSc, I returned to RHSP with strengthened expertise. I contributed to protocol development, presented at laboratory CME sessions, and took part in manuscript and abstract preparation. These experiences refined my abilities in critical analysis, scientific communication, and collaborative research.

Today, I am a PhD student at Western University in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, where I am conducting my thesis research on the impact of menopause on HIV reservoir size and activity. My work explores how reproductive aging and associated immune and hormonal changes may influence viral persistence and reactivation potential in women living with HIV—a group underrepresented in cure research.

My project is supervised by Dr. Jessica Prodger and Dr. Art Poon, whose research on HIV latency and reservoir dynamics, particularly in African cohorts, aligns closely with my goals. With their mentorship and access to Western’s advanced research infrastructure, I am investigating critical, understudied questions that are both globally relevant and locally impactful.