Immunology
The immunologist of the month is Professor Takafira Mduluza, Senior Lecturer at the Biochemistry and Biotechnology Department at the University of Zimbabwe, who aims to characterize the induction and regulation of effector mechanisms of innate and acquired immunity to infecting agents, and how they promote parasite clearance without inducing immunopathology.
Abstract
This month’s immunologist of the month is Professor Takafira Mduluza, Senior Lecturer at the Biochemistry and Biotechnology Department at the University of Zimbabwe. Prof. Mduluza graduated from University of Zimbabwe with degrees in Applied Biology and Biochemistry and Master of Philosophy in Biochemical Immunology of parasitic infections. He then proceeded on to doctoral studies in biochemical immunology and parasitology at the University of Glasgow, UK, with a special focus on the biochemical immuno-epidemiology of schistosomiasis at humoral and cellular level. He began working on the immunology of schistosomiasis in 1992, as a member of the senior scientific staff at the Blair Research Laboratories (National Institute of Health Research) in Zimbabwe. In 1999, he moved to the University of Zimbabwe as a Lecturer. His research aims to characterize the induction and regulation of effector mechanisms of innate and acquired immunity to infecting agents, and how they promote parasite clearance without inducing immunopathology. He also conducts research oriented to the development and evaluation of antiparasite vaccines. He has contributed to the development of policy to tackle some of the health challenges in Zimbabwe. Takafira has also led teams that developed the baseline surveys and data/information that resulted in the introduction of a National policy on Neglected Tropical Diseases in Zimbabwe.