I am a Principal Research Scientist in Immunology and a nationally and internationally recognised leader in vaccine development, viral immunology, and epidemic preparedness, with over two decades of high-impact scientific leadership. My research focuses on understanding immune correlates of protection against emerging and re-emerging viral diseases and translating this knowledge into innovative vaccines, immunotherapies, and diagnostics. I lead multidisciplinary, high-performing teams in Uganda and across Africa, collaborating with global partners to advance solutions for some of the most pressing global health threats.

I currently serve as Strategic Lead for the Vaccines for Viruses and Viral Pathogens Research Themes at the MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, where I direct national and regional immunology and vaccine development programs, including pioneering work on COVID-19 immune profiling, Ebola, Marburg, Mpox, HIV, and Rift Valley Fever vaccines and natural infection. I am the Principal Investigator of VacICoP, a landmark Wellcome-CEPI-funded study to establish immune correlates of protection for Marburg virus vaccines, and I am a co-investigator on the complementary CEPI-Wellcome initiative on Ebola vaccines correlates of protection. These efforts position me at the forefront of global epidemic and pandemic preparedness.

As Principal Immunologist and laboratory Director of the CEPI Centralized Laboratory Network (CLN) at UVRI, I oversee the development, validation, and standardisation of key immunological assays (ELISA, ELISpot, Neutralization, Luminex, PRNT) to support Phase I–III vaccine trials for high-consequence pathogens. I serve on CEPI's Global Centralized Laboratory Network Advisory Council (GCAC) and WHO CoViNet, contributing to shaping international assay standards and guiding vaccine updates, including for the SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 variant.

I have demonstrated leadership in advancing Africa's role in global vaccine evaluation, including spearheading Uganda's first inactivated COVID-19 vaccine initiative, leading immunogenicity evaluations for COVAC-1 and PrEPVacc clinical trials, and initiating monoclonal antibody (mAb) discovery for emerging viral pathogens in collaboration with King's College London, NIH, and La Jolla Institute for Immunology. My contributions to the vaccine platform evaluation, assay development, and immunogenicity studies are internationally recognised, with a robust track record of over 47 high-impact peer-reviewed publications, including seminal studies on SARS-CoV-2 immune profiling and HIV broadly neutralising antibodies (bNAbs).

Committed to scientific capacity building, I have established and led regional and national training programs in advanced immunological assays, biosafety, and outbreak readiness, with strategic mentorship of MSc and PhD students and regional training collaborations in DRC, South Sudan, Burundi, and beyond. My mentorship has nurtured future scientific leaders, contributing to sustainable research excellence and preparedness for epidemic threats across Africa.

In recognition of my outstanding scientific contributions and leadership, the President of Uganda (2025) recently awarded me the National Diamond Jubilee Medal for my contributions to science and national development. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation also nominated me for the prestigious Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellowship for my impactful work in breakthrough research and global health leadership.

My profile reflects outstanding scientific leadership, impactful research contributions, and an unwavering commitment to advancing global health, particularly through vaccine development and epidemic preparedness. I bring to the MRC/UVRI Research Unit a proven record of scientific innovation, capacity building, and strategic leadership that advances the & LSHTM Uganda Unit’s mission in global health research and education.