Research Manager from Imperial College London, United Kingdom
Dr. Catherine Namugga Kibirige is a seasoned researcher with over 20 years of experience in HIV-1 clinical research and epidemiology. Currently serving as a Research Manager at Imperial College London on secondment, Dr. Kibirige has contributed significantly to HIV diagnostics, treatment monitoring, and cure-related research, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Her work has had a profound impact on HIV-1 quantification, leading to the development of a cost-effective HIV-1 quantification kit specifically designed for early infant diagnosis. Through her extensive research in molecular microbiology and immunology, Dr. Kibirige has developed ultra-sensitive assays for HIV-1 and studied key aspects of HIV pathogenesis. Her research also includes profiling CD8-mediated viral inhibition and studying the impact of viral replication capacity on immune response. Dr. Kibirige is highly regarded in the scientific community, with numerous awards, patents, and collaborations with international research organizations. Her leadership in academic, clinical, and public health domains showcases her dedication to addressing global health challenges and advancing scientific knowledge.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Catherine Namugga Kibirige holds a PhD in Molecular Microbiology & Immunology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, awarded in 2009. Prior to that, she earned an MBiochem in Biochemistry from the University of Bath in 1999. She also received certification in Real-Time and qPCR from the US National Institutes of Health in 2011 and a certificate in Vaccine Science & Policy from Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in 2003. Throughout her academic career, Dr. Kibirige has focused on HIV research, molecular biology, and immunology, which laid the foundation for her groundbreaking work in HIV diagnostics and cure-related therapies. Her strong academic background has enabled her to contribute meaningfully to the scientific community, particularly in the development of innovative HIV-1 testing solutions and the advancement of public health research. Her educational credentials reflect her commitment to advancing the scientific understanding of HIV and its treatment, as well as her ability to translate research into real-world solutions in healthcare settings.
Professional Experience
Dr. Catherine Namugga Kibirige’s professional journey spans over two decades of impactful research in HIV clinical sciences, molecular microbiology, and immunology. She currently holds a secondment position as a Research Manager at Imperial College London, where she has been since 2016. Her extensive experience includes working as a Senior Research Associate at Imperial College, where she developed the HIVQuant Project, an ambient-temperature HIV-1 quantification kit aimed at early infant diagnosis and treatment monitoring in resource-constrained settings. She has also served as a contract scientist at the Janssen Prevention Center and a research associate at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Kibirige has been instrumental in molecular characterization studies of HIV and has worked on profiling CD8-mediated viral inhibition and the impact of viral replication on immune response. Her research activities have led to collaborations with international organizations such as the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and USAID. Dr. Kibirige’s career has demonstrated a commitment to advancing HIV diagnostics, understanding HIV pathogenesis, and translating scientific discoveries into practical healthcare solutions.
Research Interests
Dr. Catherine Namugga Kibirige’s research focuses on HIV-1 clinical research, epidemiology, and immunology, with an emphasis on diagnostics and treatment monitoring. Her major contributions include the development of an innovative ambient-temperature HIV-1 quantification kit for early infant diagnosis and treatment monitoring in resource-limited settings. Dr. Kibirige has conducted extensive research into the molecular characterization of HIV infection, particularly in the context of CD8-mediated viral inhibition. Her work on HIV pathogenesis has explored how viral replicative capacity influences immune response and the transcriptomic profile associated with early HIV-1 progression. Additionally, Dr. Kibirige has worked on studies related to the transmitted founder infectious molecular clones, which are critical in understanding HIV-1 pathogenesis. She is particularly interested in developing ultra-sensitive assays for viral load monitoring and exploring new methodologies for HIV cure-related research. Her passion for advancing HIV diagnostics and treatment in global health settings, coupled with her deep understanding of molecular immunology, continues to drive her research.
Research Skills
Dr. Catherine Namugga Kibirige possesses a wide range of research skills that have contributed to her significant impact in HIV-1 research. She is proficient in designing and developing ultra-sensitive HIV-1 total nucleic acid and integrated DNA qPCR assays. Her expertise includes working with advanced molecular biology techniques such as viral inhibition assays, integration-site profiling, and qualitative and quantitative PCR methods. Dr. Kibirige has extensive experience in the molecular characterization of HIV infection and has developed protocols for profiling CD8-mediated viral inhibition. She has led the design and implementation of large-scale epidemiological cohort studies, including studies that involve transmitted founder infectious molecular clones and viral pathogenesis. Dr. Kibirige’s research skills also extend to biomedical commercialization, having engaged in market discovery and commercialization programs such as the UKRI ICURe program. Her ability to conduct rigorous scientific research while focusing on practical applications for public health and resource-limited settings exemplifies her comprehensive research skills.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Catherine Namugga Kibirige has received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout her career, recognizing her outstanding contributions to HIV research and public health. In 2025, she was nominated for the “President’s Excellence Award for Research Support” at Imperial College, highlighting her excellence in academic and research leadership. Dr. Kibirige was also nominated for the “Outstanding Teaching Award” and the “Supporting the Student Experience Award” in 2023, underscoring her dedication to education. She received the Imperial EnterpriseWE Accelerate Award in 2023, a testament to her innovative work in HIV diagnostics. Dr. Kibirige’s contributions to HIV research were further acknowledged by her receipt of the Imperial College Postdoctoral and Fellows Development Centre Wings for Ideas Award for her work on developing a low-cost, ambient-temperature HIV-1 DNA quantification kit. Additionally, she has been honored with travel awards, fellowships, and international grants, including funding from the Fogarty AIDS International Training and Research Program and USAID. These awards reflect her commitment to advancing scientific research and improving global health outcomes.
Conclusion
Dr. Catherine Namugga Kibirige is a leading researcher whose work has profoundly impacted HIV-1 research, diagnostics, and treatment monitoring. Her dedication to developing innovative solutions for resource-constrained settings, such as the HIVQuant Project, demonstrates her commitment to global health. With over two decades of experience in HIV research, Dr. Kibirige has developed groundbreaking assays and protocols that continue to shape the field. Her leadership in clinical and epidemiological studies, as well as her engagement in biomedical commercialization, showcases her ability to translate research into real-world applications. Through her numerous awards, collaborations, and affiliations, Dr. Kibirige has solidified her reputation as a pioneer in the field of HIV research and immunology. Her continued work in advancing HIV diagnostics, treatment, and cure-related research will undoubtedly contribute to global efforts in combating HIV and improving public health outcomes worldwide.
Publications Top Notes
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Point-of-care nucleic acid testing – a step forward in controlling the HIV epidemic: A review
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Authors: Suleyman Sarp Pinar, Mark Manak, Shanmugam Saravanan, Nesrina Imami, Catherine Kibirige
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Year: 2025
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Journal: HIV Medicine
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DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13757
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A Novel Sample Selection Approach to Aid the Identification of Factors That Correlate With the Control of HIV-1 Infection
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Author: Catherine Kibirige
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Year: 2021
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Journal: Frontiers in Immunology
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DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.634832
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Abstracts of the HIV Research for Prevention Meeting, HIVR4P, 21-25 October, 2018, Madrid
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Author: Catherine Kibirige
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Year: 2018
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Journal: AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses
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DOI: 10.1089/aid.2018.5000.abstracts
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White Elephants and Donor-Funded Clinical Research in Developing Countries
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Author: Catherine Kibirige
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Year: 2016
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Journal: Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research
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DOI: 10.4172/2155-6113.1000566
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Discrepant amplification results during the development of an assay leads to reclassification of two AIDS reagent repository HIV-2 isolates as HIV-1
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Authors: Jagodzinski, L.L.; Liu, Y.; Hack, H.R.; Kibirige, C.; Peel, S.A.; Manak, M.M.
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Year: 2014
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Journal: PLoS ONE
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DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096554
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Late-emerging strains of HIV induce T-cell homeostasis failure by promoting bystander cell death and immune exhaustion in naïve CD4 and all CD8 T-cells
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Authors: Kibirige, C.N.; Menendez, F.A.; Zhang, H.; Nilles, T.L.; Langan, S.; Margolick, J.B.
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Year: 2014
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Journal: Medical Hypotheses
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DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2014.04.005
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Translating Burkitt’s Lymphoma Research into Viable Solutions for Developing Countries
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The use of ultra-sensitive molecular assays in HIV cure-related research
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Author: Catherine Kibirige
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Year: 2013
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Journal: Journal of AIDS and Clinical Research
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DOI: 10.4172/2155-6113.S6-002