Prof Dr. Damalie Nakanjako | Immunology of Infections | Women Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Damalie Nakanjako, Makerere University, Uganda.

Prof. Dr. Damalie Nakanjako is a distinguished researcher in Immunology of Infections and a dedicated advocate for advancing women’s contributions to science. As a Professor of Medicine and a renowned immunologist, her research focuses on understanding immune responses to infectious diseases, particularly in resource-limited settings. She has made significant strides in studying HIV, tuberculosis, and other infections, contributing to innovative treatments and influencing global health policies. With numerous publications in high-impact journals, Prof. Nakanjako is internationally recognized for her leadership in research, clinical practice, and mentoring young scientists. Her groundbreaking contributions have positioned her as a leading voice in combating infections and improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations, while championing gender equity in research and academia.

Professional Profiles

Scopus Profile

Orcid Profile

📚Education

Dr. Damalie Nakanjako’s education is marked by advanced training in medicine, biomedical sciences, and leadership. She earned her MBChB in Medicine and Surgery from Makerere University, Uganda in 1999, followed by a Master of Medicine (MMED) in Internal Medicine in 2005. She completed her PhD in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Antwerp, Belgium in 2010. In addition to her degrees, she has specialized in leadership and governance, earning a Certificate in Corporate Governance and a Certificate in Audit and Risk Management from the Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda in 2022 and 2023. Dr. Nakanjako also holds a Certificate in Leadership and Management in Health from the University of Washington, USA (2015). She has participated in key workshops, such as the Functional Genomics and Systems Biology Workshop at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (2014), and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship there from 2012 to 2013. Her commitment to professional development includes clinical research training through the Infectious Diseases Institute and GloCal Health Institute.

💼Experience

Dr. Nakanjako has over 10 years of leadership experience in academia, serving as the Principal of Makerere University College of Health Sciences and Former Dean of the School of Medicine. She has also led collaborative research and training programs aimed at building Africa’s scientific capacity in Infection and Immunity.

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Nakanjako is a renowned researcher in Infection and Immunity, with extensive expertise in HIV care, treatment, and prevention in sub-Saharan Africa. Her research focuses on chronic HIV-associated inflammation, immune aging, and non-AIDS illnesses, as well as the use of mobile health (m-health) platforms for patient follow-up. She has published over 107 scientific papers and authored books such as Efficient HIV/AIDS Care in Resource-Limited Settings.

👩‍🏫Mentorship and Networking

A mentor to over 58 graduate students and post-doctoral researchers, Dr. Nakanjako is actively involved in programs like the Makerere University-Uganda Virus Research Institute Infection and Immunity (MUII) and the Afya Bora Consortium. She is also the director of the ADAPT One Health network, working on antimicrobial stewardship in sub-Saharan Africa.

🏆Awards

Dr. Nakanjako has received several prestigious awards throughout her career, including the TWAS-Abdool Karim Award in Biological Sciences (2022), which recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of biological sciences. In 2013, she was honored with the Fourth Annual Merle A. Sande Health Leadership Award for her leadership in health sciences. Additionally, she earned the Young Investigator Award at the 18th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) (2011), highlighting her early and impactful contributions to medical research.

📑Top Note Publications

Title: Incidence and predictors of virological failure among HIV infected children and adolescents receiving second-line antiretroviral therapy in Uganda, a retrospective study

Authors: Musiime-Mwase F, Nakanjako D, Kanywa JB, Sewankambo N, Elyanu P.
Publication Year: 2024
Citations: 0

Title: Barriers and facilitators of cervical cancer screening literacy among rural women with HIV attending rural public health facilities in East Central Uganda: a qualitative study using the integrated model of health literacy

Authors: Namutundu J, Kiguli J, Nakku-Joloba E, Nakanjako D, Nakalembe M.
Publication Year: 2024
Citations: 0

Title: The clinical utility of cystatin C based eGFR in assessing renal function among HIV/AIDS patients on ART at Mildmay Uganda

Authors: Wekiya E, Mujuzi GP, Nakiyingi J, Mutebi EI, Nakanjako D.
Publication Year: 2024
Citations: 0

Title: Chronic immune activation and accelerated immune aging among HIV-infected adults receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy for at least 12 years in an African cohort

Authors: Nakanjako D, Nabatanzi R, Ssinabulya I, Banturaki G, Castelnuovo B.
Publication Year: 2024
Citations: 0

Title: Effectiveness of intensive adherence counselling in achieving an undetectable viral load among people on antiretroviral therapy with low-level viraemia in Uganda

Authors: Nanyeenya N, Nakanjako D, Makumbi F, Huzaifah M, Kiwanuka N.
Publication Year: 2024
Citations: 2

Assist Prof Dr. O. Alejandro Aleuy | Diseases | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. O. Alejandro Aleuy , Florida Atlantic University, United States.

Assist Prof Dr. O. Alejandro Aleuy is an accomplished researcher focused on infectious diseases and their global impact. He has made significant contributions to understanding disease transmission, prevention, and control, with a particular interest in emerging pathogens. Aleuy’s research has influenced public health policies and provided key insights into infectious disease dynamics, making him a valuable figure in the field. He is a recipient of the Best Researcher Award for his groundbreaking studies, which have helped to shape modern approaches to combating infectious diseases worldwide. His work continues to inspire advancements in disease prevention and health security.

Profile:

Orcid Profile

Education

Assist. Prof. Dr. O. Alejandro Aleuy is an expert in infectious diseases, with a robust academic background in veterinary and ecological sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Calgary, Canada (2014-2019), a Master’s in Preventive Veterinary Medicine (MPVM) from the University of California, Davis, USA (2011-2013), and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Universidad Austral de Chile (2006-2008). Additionally, he earned a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the same institution (2001-2006). Currently based at Florida Atlantic University, Dr. Aleuy’s research focuses on disease ecology and the prevention of infectious diseases, addressing critical challenges in wildlife, domestic animals, and public health.

Employment

Assist. Prof. Dr. O. Alejandro Aleuy currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Disease Ecology at the Department of Biology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida (2024–present). His previous academic roles include a Visitor Scholar at the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara (2022–2023), and a Postdoctoral Associate at the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame (2021–2023). Prior to that, he held a postdoctoral position at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (2020–2021). From 2013 to 2014, he worked as a Research Assistant and Data Analyst at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis. Earlier in his career, Dr. Aleuy was an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Animal Pathology, Universidad Austral de Chile (2009–2014), and the Director and Head Veterinarian of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre at the same institution (2008–2011), where he contributed to wildlife health research, clinical diagnostics, and student training.

Technical Skills

Assist. Prof. Dr. O. Alejandro Aleuy possesses a range of technical skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office™ tools such as Word™, Excel™, and PowerPoint™. He is highly skilled in statistical analysis using programs like R and Minitab, and has extensive experience with ArcGIS and QGIS for geographic information system applications. Additionally, he has a basic understanding of SAS for statistical computing, further enhancing his analytical and research capabilities.

Honors / Rewards

Assist. Prof. Dr. O. Alejandro Aleuy has received numerous honors and awards throughout his academic career. He was awarded the prestigious NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship (2022–2024) from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada, receiving C$45,000 annually, and was ranked in the top 80th percentile. He also received the Ayudas Juan de la Cierva-Formacion Postdoctoral Fellowship from Spain’s Ministry of Science and Information (2021–2023), although he declined it due to funding conflicts. Other significant recognitions include the Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Pre-Doctoral Scholarship (2015–2017) and various travel, academic, and research scholarships from the University of Calgary. Dr. Aleuy was recognized for his Best Poster Presentation at the Muskox Health and Ecology Symposium (2016), and his efforts in community outreach were acknowledged by the College of Veterinary Science at Universidad Austral de Chile (2010). He also received multiple CONICYT Advanced Human Capital Scholarships from the Government of Chile for his Ph.D. and Master’s studies, as well as an Athletic University Scholarship for being part of the 1st Squad Soccer team at Universidad Austral de Chile (2001-2006).

Top Note Publications

Aleuy, O. A. (2023). Local thermal adaptation and local temperature regimes drive the performance of a parasitic helminth under climate change: The case of Marshallagia marshalli from wild ungulates. Global Change Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16918

Aleuy, O. A. (2023). Caesarean surgery and ovariohysterectomy in a precocial rodent Octodon degus. Austral Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 55(3). https://doi.org/10.4206/ajvs.553.01

Aleuy, O. A. (2023). Wildlife health in environmental impact assessments: Are we missing a key metric? Environmental Reviews, 31(2), 233-245. https://doi.org/10.1139/er-2022-0023

Aleuy, O. A. (2020). Adaptations, life-history traits, and ecological mechanisms of parasites to survive extremes and environmental unpredictability in the face of climate change. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 12, 138-145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.07.006

Aleuy, O. A. (2020). Linking co-monitoring to co-management: Bringing together local, traditional, and scientific knowledge in a wildlife status assessment framework. Arctic Science, 6(2), 164-179. https://doi.org/10.1139/as-2019-0019

Aleuy, O. A. (2020). Parasite intensity drives fetal development and sex allocation in a wild ungulate. Scientific Reports, 10, 15829. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72376-x

Aleuy, O. A. (2020). Phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation in freeze tolerance: Implications for parasite dynamics in a changing world. International Journal for Parasitology, 50(6-7), 479-489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.12.004

Aleuy, O. A. (2019). Adaptations and phenotypic plasticity in developmental traits of Marshallagia marshalli. International Journal for Parasitology, 49(8), 641-650. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.05.007

Aleuy, O. A. (2018). Diversity of gastrointestinal helminths in Dall’s sheep and the negative association of the abomasal nematode, Marshallagia marshalli, with fitness indicators. PLOS ONE, 13(3), e0192825. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0192825

Aleuy, O. A. (2018). Using multinomial and space-time permutation models to understand the epidemiology of infectious bronchitis in California between 2008 and 2012. Avian Diseases, 62(1), 107-113. https://doi.org/10.1637/11788-122217-Reg.1

Prof Dr. Damalie Nakanjako | Immunology of Infections | Women Researcher Award