Professor Henry Mwandumba

Country: Malawi

Institution: Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme

Research Areas: Tuberculosis, HIV and Vascular Disease Immunology

Lab Website: www.mlw.mw

My research group at the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme (MLW) in Blantyre, Malawi conducts studies to address gaps in current understanding of HIV-related co-morbidities pertinent to Africa. We have established in Blantyre one of the best Respiratory Immunology Research Programmes in Africa with 3 major themes: Tuberculosis (TB), HIV and Vascular diseases. Our work bridges the gap between the laboratory and the clinical sphere, bringing a critical clinical perspective about health problems in countries like Malawi to inform research priorities. We work mainly with lung samples obtained from participants by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). In collaboration with local and international partners, we have developed cutting-edge technologies that enable us to perform innovative research on clinical samples at the bench in Malawi. We are one of few institutions in the world with the capacity, expertise and experience to conduct studies of this nature. Our research has resulted in several publications which have influenced clinical care and underpin current WHO guidelines for use of isoniazid preventive therapy to reduce the incidence of HIV-associated TB. We are committed to train the next generation of researchers in Africa to equip them with the relevant skills to address the health challenges facing the Continent’s populations.