Five young Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) scientists are celebrating major academic milestones this year, with two completing PhDs and three earning Masters degrees from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Behind each qualification lies not only rigorous research but also deeply personal journeys of perseverance, resilience, and a shared commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of under-resourced populations.
For PhD graduate Dr Yumna Moosa, science and survival went hand-in-hand. Her doctoral research, supervised by Prof Emily Wong and Prof Tulio de Oliveria (Stellenbosch University), tackled a critical blind spot in the fight against tuberculosis (TB): potential transmission from asymptomatic transmission. Drawing on data from over 18,000 people in rural KwaZulu-Natal, Yumna’s study integrated epidemiology, pathogen genomics, and spatial analysis to uncover that most TB in the community was asymptomatic, and that asymptomatic individuals may be silent drivers of the epidemic.
(Above: Prof Emily Wong and Dr Yumna Moosa)
But her academic work was only part of the story. Four months into her PhD, Yumna became a single mother under traumatic circumstances, navigating legal systems and relocating cities for her and her child’s safety. “This PhD is more than a degree,” she reflected. “It’s a testament to patient endurance (sabr) in the face of violence, prejudice, and systemic failure. I dedicate it to every woman whose story has been silenced or sidelined, and I commit to creating spaces where we are safe, supported, and seen.”
“Yumna’s work has made an important contribution to our understanding of asymptomatic TB, which may turn out to be responsible for undetected transmission,” said Emily. “Her PhD journey speaks to the challenges that women in science face and I am proud that she has persevered and decided to speak openly about her story to inspire other students.”
AHRI’s other May 2025 PhD graduate, Dr Antony Rapulana, focussed on improving early diagnosis of TB. Supervised by Prof Mohlopheni Marakalala, Dr Theresa Smit, and Prof Tim McHugh (UCL), Antony investigated blood-based biomarkers as diagnostic tools that could distinguish between latent and active TB, as well as the ‘goldilocks’ effect of TNF-alpha inducible proteins in TB pathogenesis. He also utilised a novel molecular method to determine mycobacterial load in sputum. His findings — including the upregulation of TNFAIP2 protein in TB-diseased tissue — point toward promising avenues for diagnostics and therapeutic targets. “These discoveries not only offer potential diagnostic tools but also open new avenues for intervention,” he said. His PhD produced two publications, one as first author and one in progress.
(Above: Prof Mohlopheni Marakala, Dr Antony Rapulana and Dr Theresa Smit)
“Antony’s work highlights the value of seeking diagnostic and therapeutic interventions at the host-pathogen intersection. By characterising both mycobacterial and host factors associated with different stages and compartments of TB, Antony’s work adds great knowledge towards development of tools to combat the disease,” said Mohlopheni. “He’s a very talented scientist with an amazing creative ingenuity. It has been a great privilege to mentor him, as I look forward to celebrating him as he flourishes to greater heights.”
AHRI’s clinical laboratory head, Dr Theresa Smit, said it has been an honour to be Antony’s co-supervisor. “Besides the scientific contributions of his thesis and publications, I am very proud of the dedication and personal growth – bearing in mind that he took this on largely after-hours while employed in the AHRI clinical laboratory as a medical technologist. There were several challenges but Antony persevered and contributed to four additional collaborative publications on different studies. He also amazingly found and married the love of his life during this time.”
At the Master’s level, Mali Mlaba and Uvedhna Padia (cum laude) each brought fresh insight to some of the most pressing questions in immunology. Mali, supervised by Prof Zaza Ndhlovu, investigated the role of natural killer (NK) cells in HIV persistence, particularly within lymph nodes during early antiretroviral therapy. His research revealed that NK cells are excluded from germinal centres (where HIV hides) and exhibit low cytolytic potential, potentially explaining why the virus is so hard to eliminate.
(Above: Mali Mlaba and Prof Zaza Ndhlovu)
For Mali, the work was personal. Growing up in Ntuzuma, Durban, he has long been driven by a desire to contribute to communities heavily burdened by disease. Despite experiencing a prolonged illness during his studies, Mali remained committed to his degree, and to mentoring other young scientists. “My journey wasn’t in solitude,” he said. “My family and the Ndhlovu lab were instrumental in getting me to the finish line.”
“Scientific rigor and quiet determination — that’s Mali,” says Prof Ndhlovu. “His contributions to HIV cure research are only just beginning.”
Uvedhna Padia, also supervised by Prof Ndhlovu with Dr Andrea Papadopoulos as co-supervisor, focussed her MSc on Covid-19 immunology. She developed a fluorescence-based assay to measure CD8⁺ T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2, an essential step in understanding vaccine efficacy, especially in African cohorts. Validated with samples from Botswana, the assay fills a key gap in Covid-19 research.
(Above: Prof Zaza Ndlovu, Uvedhna Padia and Dr Andrea Papadopoulos)
“Every mistake is data; an opportunity to improve,” said Uvedhna. “Embrace the failed experiments and long days in the lab. They prepare you for real-world challenges.”
Dr Papadopoulos praised Uvedhna’s methodical approach and sharp thinking: “Her work will have lasting impact in how we evaluate T cell immunity in African populations.”
Ashleigh Welsh’s work showed a novel angle on how the impact on gut health in people with HIV not only involves immune subsets, as demonstrated over decades, but also how structural stromal cells are involved in the persistent pathology despite viral suppression in the blood compartment. Thus, Ashleigh’s work demonstrated novelty and through focussed experiments how a MSc project can bring new aspects of HIV pathology that are directly relevant for long-term reconstitution of the gut.
“Ashleigh worked through all obstacles that came her way and showed persistence to complete this important work. She now holds a position in the respected lab of Penny Moore at Wits, and I am confident she will contribute to other important work in understanding and developing new strategies towards non-ART mediated control of HIV,” said her supervisor, Dr Henrik Kløverpris. “I also want to highlight that key to Ashleigh’s work was also proficient supervision by Dr Miguel Marin, a talented postdoc in my lab who supports and trains a number of junior scientists.”
(Above: Ashleigh Welsh)
Though their topics varied, all five graduates share a commitment to science that matters: science that changes lives, especially in under-resourced settings. Their achievements are not just academic milestones; they are investments in a better, healthier future for South Africa.
As AHRI celebrates their success, we also honour the mentors who have guided, challenged, and championed them along the way.
Congratulations!