Zaza Ndhlovu

Zaza Ndhlovu is an immunologist whose research focuses on cellular immune responses to HIV-1, with the goal of identifying immune targets for an effective HIV vaccine. His work examines early immune events that influence disease progression and immune dysfunction, using excisional lymph node samples from individuals with acute and chronic HIV infection to understand how early viral exposure shapes long-term immunity.

He earned his PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology from Johns Hopkins University and completed postdoctoral training at Harvard University, where he studied HIV-specific CD8⁺ T cell responses in elite controllers—individuals who naturally suppress HIV without antiretroviral therapy. His research identified key functional features of CD8⁺ T cell subsets associated with viral control and immune escape.

He later established his research programme in South Africa to study HIV in a high-burden setting and contribute to scientific capacity building on the continent. He is a faculty member at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, adjunct faculty at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and an HHMI International Research Scholar. He also serves as Interim Director of Science on AHRI’s executive committee.