Bioscience
Dr Eunice Nduati
Principal Investigator
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Bio
Upon completion of her PhD training, Euniece was awarded a Wellcome Training Fellowship to determine whether exposure to HIV antigens or to an altered cytokine environment in utero alters the developing immune responses in HIV-exposed but uninfected infants. In parallel determined immune responses to childhood vaccines in HIV infected children. In 2017, she was awarded a four-years mid-career research fellowship through the Initiative to develop African Research Leaders (IDEAL) - DELTAS programme. This fellowship supported my work to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the generation of antibodies with relevant functions in HIV infection. During this time, I established collaboration with the International AIDS vaccine Initiative (IAVI) which is currently supporting my programme of work to characterize B cell responses and monoclonal antibodies to inform HIV vaccine design
See moreCurrent Work
We are specifically interested in understanding differences in population immune baselines by characterizing the naïve B cell repertoire and HIV-antigen specific precursors in African populations. In addition, establishing immunogenicity testing frameworks for HIV vaccine studies. We are currently preparing for B cell and monoclonal antibody characterization for the G003 Clinical Trial that aims to use a germline targeting approach to elicit desired VRC01 class of antibodies. In addition, we are supporting immunogenicity testing (IFNg ELISPOTs) for the GREAT clinical trial (conserved Mosaic HIV-1 phase 1 Trial). As part of our research capacity strengthening agenda, I am actively involved in student supervision (interns, MSc students and Ph.D. students), mentorship and teaching immunology courses. Under the SANTHE consortium, on which I am a co-applicant, we recently received funding from the DELTAS-AESA programme and BMGF to support capacity building in the next four years.
Appointments: Adjunct lecturer at Pwani University, Kilifi; member of the SANTHE Consortium Steering Committee.
On-going collaborations: Dr. Daniel Muema - Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative – Institute of Clinical research (KAVI-ICR), Prof. Thumbi Ndungu - University of Kwa Zulu Natal – Africa Health Research Institute, Dr. Devin Sok/Elise Landais - Scripps Research Institute – Neutralizing Antibody Centre, Prof. Penny Moore - National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), South Africa.