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Our September Ambassador of the Month is Ludoviko Zirimenya from Uganda. Ludoviko is a Clinical Research Scientist and PhD student at the The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). He is a Research Fellow of LSHTM based at the Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit. His research focuses on how different populations in Uganda respond to commonly used vaccines and non – specific (beneficial) effects of vaccines such as BCG.
Research Interests:
I am fascinated by how populations respond differently to the same vaccines and the non – specific (beneficial) effects of vaccines. To this end, I seek to answer questions on how environmental exposures (e.g. parasites) affect vaccine responses and how BCG re-immunisation may also be a tool for inducing enhanced benefits for other vaccines. I would like to help improve how vaccines work in Sub Saharan Africa where they are most needed to better prevent morbidity and mortality.
Recent Publications:
- Natukunda, A., Zirimenya, L., Nassuuna, J., Nkurunungi, G., Cose, S., Elliott, A.M. and Webb, E.L., 2022. The effect of helminth infection on vaccine responses in humans and animal models: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Parasite Immunology, 44(9), p.e12939.
- Zirimenya L, Nkurunungi G, Nassuuna J The POPVAC trial team, et al. Impact of BCG revaccination on the response to unrelated vaccines in a Ugandan adolescent birth cohort: randomised controlled trial protocol C for the ‘POPulation differences in VACcine responses’ (POPVAC) programme. BMJ Open 2020;11:e040430. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040430
- Natukunda A, Nkurunungi G, Zirimenya L on behalf of the POPVAC trial team, et al. Effect of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine on immune responses to vaccines among rural Ugandan adolescents: randomised controlled trial protocol B for the ‘POPulation differences in VACcine responses’ (POPVAC) programme. BMJ Open 2020;11:e040427. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040427
Why I love Immunology:
Interestingly, I am a medical doctor, so I have a clinical background. I have had to intentionally ‘love’ immunology. Since falling in love with the field of vaccinology, I had to intentionally force myself to love immunology. It was hard at the beginning but fortunately as I work with immunologists, this now does not require effort as I have learnt and continue to learn from them. As vaccinology explores how the immune system responds to vaccines, immunology is key in understanding the underlying mechanisms of vaccine responses. This keeps me going whenever I question my love for immunology.
If I wasn’t an immunologist I would be:
Earlier on in my career, I worked in palliative care, so I would have ended up as full time Palliative care clinician.
Tips for young people who want to enter the field of immunology:
It is OK to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. You don’t need to love immunology before you join it, one has to patiently hang in there to grow in the field and finally you will fall in love. There will be some bad days where you question yourself but finally it will be worth it if you persevere!
What being an Immunopaedia Ambassador means to me:
As a Clinical Research Scientist, being an ambassador helps me contribute to the promotion of cutting-edge research in clinical immunology. On the ‘selfish’ side, being an ambassador enables me externally contribute beyond my current work helping to establish my standing and reputation in the field.
How I have contributed to Immunopaedia so far and plans for future contributions:
I have been able to write so far two breaking news research articles. Going forward, l plan to aggressively promote the Immunopaedia website educational materials and other resources in my home country and institution.
You can get in touch with me by:
Twitter: @LZirimenya
LinkedIn: Ludoviko Zirimenya
ResearchGate: Ludoviko Zirimenya
