Biography:

Senior Lecturer, Faculty Member, SANTHE Principal Investigator HIV Pathogenesis Programme (HPP), University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa
Dr Nompumelelo Mkhwanazi is an acclaimed South African virologist, academic leader, and clinical researcher renowned for her transformative contributions to HIV pathogenesis, viral reservoir characterisation, and novel functional cure strategies. She holds a dual appointment as a Senior Lecturer within the School of Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and serves as an influential Faculty Member at the world-renowned HIV Pathogenesis Programme (HPP). Driven by a commitment to expanding equitable healthcare solutions across sub-Saharan Africa, her clinical excellence was formally recognized by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) with the prestigious Bronze Scientific Achievement Award. Her continent-wide leadership was further solidified by her nomination for the Best Research Award at the Africa Health Excellence Awards.
Scientific Scope & Multidisciplinary Framework
As a pioneering Principal Investigator for the Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence (SANTHE), Dr Mkhwanazi directs a cutting-edge research pipeline focused on overcoming viral latency. Her laboratory champions a multidisciplinary approach that seamlessly fuses molecular virology, host cellular immunology, Nanotechnology and medicinal chemistry. Her core research investigates:
• Antiviral Drug Screening: Discovering small molecule inhibitors and testing secondary metabolites derived from indigenous medicinal plants and endophytic fungi.
• Shock-and-Kill Mechanics: Evaluating biochemical pathways to purge latent viral reservoirs, exposing hidden infected cells to targeted host immune responses.
• Resistance Profiling: Tracking genetic barriers to antiretroviral therapy (ART) to optimize long-term clinical diagnostics.
With a prolific academic footprint, Dr Mkhwanazi has authored over 40 peer-reviewed papers in high-impact international journals. She actively translates her research into sustainable human capital development by directly mentoring five Doctoral (PhD) candidates and three Master of Science (MSc) students, cultivating the next generation of African biomedical experts.
Dr Mkhwanazi joins the International Conference on HIV/AIDS Research and Future Therapies in Milan as an esteemed member of the Guest Organising Committee. Simultaneously, she serves as the Guest Editor for the peer-reviewed open-access journal Microorganisms, spearheading the high-profile Special Issue: “HIV Infections: Diagnosis and Drug Uses”.