Championing Women Researchers

Anneth-Mwasi Tumbo, MsC, PhD

    Dr. Anneth-Mwasi Tumbo, MSc, PhD  is a research scientist at Ifakara Health Institute in the Biomedical and Clinical Trial Department in Bagamoyo, Tanzania.

    Fatuma Issa

    research background

    I am a biomedical scientist with a background in infection biology, immunology/ microbiology and vaccinology. My research interests are in pathogen detection, immune responses to infection, vaccination and comorbidities, as well as in vaccine and drug development. I am particularly interested in understanding the factors that influence observed variability in immunological outcomes across different populations especially for vulnerable groups (i.e. HIV positive individuals, elderly and children) residing in low- and middle-income countries.

     

    CURRENT research activities

    My current research work involves profiling immune responses to malaria vaccines, as well as to both bivalent and monovalent Pfizer SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in East African adults. I am also investigating the dynamics of malaria-induced immune modulation in adults residing in different malaria transmission settings. Additionally, I am characterising the role of viral infections—particularly HIV and Human pegivirus—in the pathogenesis of and immunity to malaria. I also support the assessment of drugs for treatment of malaria and helminth infections with the aim of uncovering immune signatures associated with drug uptake. I perform immunological assays and techniques on site in Bagamoyo, Tanzania including peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) isolation, cryopreservation, in vitro cellular cultivation, stimulation, immuno-phenotyping and intracellular cytokine staining by using polychromatic flow cytometry and ELISpot technologies.  I am currently updating my skills to learn advanced immunological techniques such as single cell sequencing, mass cytometry, spectral flow cytometry and proteomics. In addition, I seek to gain a deeper understanding of the applications of nanotechnology in immunology to enhance vaccine effectiveness and modulate immune responses. These experiences have enlightened me about the need to utilize new technologies and high-dimensional data analysis tools to comprehensively understand the immune pathways and mechanisms involved following infection or vaccination.

    future research activities

    In the future, I aim to apply integrative systems immunology—focusing on multi-omics technologies and artificial intelligence (AI)—to better understand both vaccine-induced and naturally acquired immune mechanisms in the vaccine and epidemiological studies I am currently involved in or will be involved in. I believe this knowledge will be crucial for designing and developing tailored interventions and next-generation vaccines and therapeutics, especially for populations with poor immunological outcomes, such as immunocompromised individuals, the elderly, and children. Additionally, I look forward to using my skills to collaborate with and support other scientists in low- and middle-income countries, including those working on neglected diseases outside of my primary research focus, which continue to cause high morbidity and mortality in these settings.