Denis Kyabaggu

Denis Kyabaggu is a PhD student at Makerere University in the Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology in Kampala, Uganda. He studied for his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Laboratory Technology and an MSc in Molecular Biology at Makerere University before joining Boston University, Boston, USA, for an MSc in Pathology Laboratory Sciences. Kyabaggu is passionate about biomedical research in infectious diseases, particularly HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and viral haemorrhagic fevers. Presently, he is studying the mechanisms of establishment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in human cells called macrophages, more so in the context of co-infections such as HIV. This work is relevant for understanding biological effectors of protective host immunity against Mtb at the cellular level. Results of this study may also inform the subsequent design of improved preventive and therapeutic strategies capable of eliminating pathogen reservoirs from host macrophages. This knowledge gap is a key element in the control and eventual global elimination of TB disease and its co-morbidities, particularly HIV. As part of this work, Kyabaggu is passionate about gaining skills in whole genome sequencing and large dataset analysis as well as community engagement to communicate scientific findings.