Specialization
Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases; Epidemiology (MSc)
Focus of research
As an infectious diseases physician and epidemiologist with more than 10 years of experience living and working in various sub-Saharan African countries, I have a varied, complementary and unique skill-set. My research interests include HIV and tuberculosis (co-)infection, in particular recurrent tuberculosis, and optimal strategies of HIV and TB health care delivery in sub-Saharan Africa.
Within the realm of HIV and TB, I specialize in the analysis of large-scale routinely collected data using up-to-date techniques, and prospective studies of the impact of health care interventions. My expertise enables me to collaborate effectively with basic scientists as well as public health experts, mathematical modellers, clinicians and policy makers.
My work analyzing a decade of routinely collected TB data in Cape Town, South Africa, and Kampala, Uganda has led to my current research focus on recurrent TB. My aim is to determine the mechanisms underlying the increased risk of recurrent TB to identify better approaches for TB control, both in the area of TB vaccines and adapted screening or treatment approaches.
Other current work includes a prospective study a prospective cohort study to implement and evaluate novel drug regimens for multi- and extensive drug resistant TB in South Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tanzania (T2RiAD study), an evaluation of a new stool-based PCR for diagnosis of TB in children and people living with HIV in Uganda, Mozambique and Eswatini (Stool4TB study), and operational research into the effectiveness of Universal HIV Test and Treat (UTT) in rural Tanzania. Recently, I was awarded a grant to study the prevalence of TB infection in various countries and risk groups in the European Union.
I am passionate about capacity development and am involved in teaching and mentorship of students at various levels including bachelor and master theses (BSc and MSc Medicine and MSc Health Sciences). I am the co-promotor of seven PhD students, the majority of whom are based in sub-Saharan Africa.