Africa Health Research Institute

08/08/2025

Coming up tomorrow!

In celebration of Women’s Month, AHRI postdoc and study coordinator Dr. Maphe Mthembu will be speaking about her research and women’s health on Inanda88.4fm Updates at 7am .

Don’t miss it!

01/08/2025

This week, we marked 🔟 years of AHRI's lymph node study - a unique partnership which has enabled cutting-edge research to improve our understanding of HIV persistence and the immune response, laying the groundwork for cure-focused work.

To celebrate the milestone, AHRI's Ndhlovu lab and the HIV Pathogenesis Programme co-hosted a workshop which brought together collaborators including scientists, clinicians, nurses, pathologists, and study coordinators to reflect on a decade of partnership on the study. Discussions additionally highlighted research on HPV, and HIV and TB co-infection; areas where collaborative, tissue-based research can drive real progress. The workshop also looked ahead, focusing on strengthening clinical-research partnerships to support the development of a high-quality tissue biobank for infectious disease research.

We’re grateful to all the partners, past and present, who have contributed to this work!

28/07/2025

Today is World Day

Hepatitis is the second leading infectious cause of death globally, with hepatitis B and C claiming 3,500 lives every day.

AHRI's research into Hepatitis B virus (HBV) shows a high burden of the disease in our research area in northern KZN. There is an urgent need to scale up testing and treatment within South Africa, and to put HBV on the health priority map.

Here's how you can protect yourself and your loved ones 👇

18/07/2025

“It’s still in our hands to fight poverty & inequity.”

This , we got our hands dirty - planting a vegetable garden, trees and collecting over 50 books to help re-stock KwaDabeka Library. Grateful to KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Somkhele Clinic & KwaDabeka Library for standing with us in the spirit of Ubuntu. Together, we live his legacy.

15/07/2025

There is some big HIV prevention news out this week!

✅ The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
✅ The Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism reports that South Africa has accepted an offer of +- R520-million from The Global Fund to buy the jab

❓So what is all the fuss about lenacapavir? Find out more, including how AHRI and the communities where we work contributed to the landmark clinical trial result in 2024 📽️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHRV7RRXvEw

04/07/2025

We’ve just wrapped up AHRI’s annual scientific retreat, a three-day gathering dedicated to the growth and development of our early career researchers.

The retreat creates an immersive training space where our young researchers can sharpen their scientific thinking by presenting their work, asking tough questions, and learning from peers and mentors in a dynamic, collaborative setting.

One of the many highlights was a keynote talk from AHRI faculty member Dr Guy Harling, who explored the power of human networks and how our connections to each other can even shape behaviours like treatment adherence. His talk was also an important reminder that science is not only driven by data, but also by our networks - by our connection and collaboration.

Supporting the next generation of researchers - and strengthening the networks that drive impactful science - remains at the heart of our work.

09/06/2025

📢Last call for applications

Apply now for the 2025–2026 AHRI/UCL fully funded PhD scholarships.

This is a unique opportunity to pursue your PhD at UCL while gaining valuable research experience at AHRI.

https://www.ahri.org/2024-2025-ahri-ucl-phd-scholarship/

30/05/2025

Scenes from today’s career guidance and expo event in Mtubatuba 🎓✨

Around 1,800 Grade 12 learners came through to explore their options after school - from university courses to career paths. AHRI was there alongside Inkosi Mtubatuba Municipality and other partners to share info, answer questions, and support learners as they start thinking about what’s next.

We're proud to be part of community efforts that help young people make informed choices about their futures.

14/05/2025

🎓 It’s Graduation Day at UKZN, and we could not be prouder of our five AHRI researchers crossing the stage today!

Please join us in congratulating:

Dr Yumna Moosa (PhD) focused on asymptomatic TB transmission in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
Dr Antony Rapulana (PhD) investigated biomarkers for early TB diagnosis.
Ashleigh Welsh (MSc) showed how the stromal cell compartment in the gut contributes to pathology in people living with HIV.
Mali Mlaba (MSc) explored how HIV shapes natural killer cell responses in lymph nodes.
Uvedhna Padia (MSc) (cum laude) developed a CD8+ T cell assay to better understand vaccine-induced Covid-19 immunity.

Your hard work, perseverance and scientific curiosity have inspired us all.
Congratulations to you, and to your families, friends, and supervisors who’ve cheered you on!
🎉

09/05/2025

From frequent floods to heatwaves, the impact on our health is real and rising. AHRI's Dr Sithembiso Mnqobi Ndlovu joined Ukhozi FM to unpack how climate change is affecting our bodies, mental health, and communities.

Missed the conversation? Catch the replay here 👉

Impact of Climate Change in peoples health Guest: Dr. Sithembiso Ndlovu

30/04/2025

This we spotlight some of the critical vaccine research underway at AHRI.

Prof Limakatso Lebina, director for clinical trials at AHRI, shares:

💉 “Our clinical trials unit is currently testing two novel TB vaccines aimed at adolescents and adults, and is preparing for an HIV vaccine study.”

Her passion? TB vaccine research:

🔬 “We don’t have many tools for TB prevention - that’s why this work is so urgent.”

Amid rising misinformation, she reminds us:

✅ “Vaccines are the only way we can eliminate or eradicate infectious diseases.”

29/04/2025

As we mark World Immunisation Week, we find ourselves at a historic turning point: the development of a new TB vaccine that holds the greatest promise since the invention of the BCG vaccine more than 100 years ago.

📢 “Allow me to be clear: vaccination is the only way we can bring TB completely under control.”

Read how science is bringing us closer to a future free of TB in this powerful op-ed for Daily Maverick from AHRI's executive director, Prof Willem Hanekom ➡️ https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-03-23-we-can-finally-see-hope-on-the-horizon-for-beating-tb-the-worlds-deadliest-disease/