In a significant step towards improving the health of people living with HIV (PWH), Dr. Prossy Kyasimire Bibangambah, a researcher at MUST Faculty of Medicine, department of Radiology has been awarded a substantial grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This prestigious recognition underscores Dr. Bibangambah’s dedication to advancing research on HIV-related cardiovascular disease (CVD), aligning with the University’s mandate to promote quality higher education for national integration and development through teaching of science and technology for the promotion of the political, economic, and social development of Uganda.
Dr. Bibangambah’s groundbreaking project will look into into the intricate relationship between peri coronary adipose tissue (PCAT), inflammation, and subclinical coronary artery disease (CAD) in PWH. By employing cutting-edge imaging techniques and machine learning algorithms, she aims to unravel the complex mechanisms underlying this devastating health condition.
Cardiovascular disease remains a major health challenge for PWH, even in the era of effective antiretroviral therapy. Dr. Bibangambah’s research holds the promise of revolutionizing our understanding of this disease and informing the development of more targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
Through her innovative approach, Dr. Bibangambah seeks to uncover the underlying factors contributing to CVD in PWH, potentially leading to early detection and intervention. Her findings could have a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals living with HIV, improving their quality of life and reducing their risk of cardiovascular complications.
She will be mentored primarily by Dr. Mark Siedner (Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital) and Dr. Stephen Asiimwe (Mbarara University of Science and Technology/Global Health Collaborative), along with other co-mentors: Dr. Chris Longenecker (University of Washington School of Medicine), Dr. Sadeer Al-Kindi (Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center), and Dr. Samson Okello (University of North Carolina).We congratulate Dr. Bibangambah on this remarkable achievement and commend commitment to advancing HIV research. Her groundbreaking work has the potential to make a significant difference in the global fight against HIV-related CVD, while also contributing to the university’s mission of promoting national development through scientific innovation.
As a woman in science, Dr. Bibangambah is standing out in this rare field of research, demonstrating the power of female leadership in driving scientific progress. Her success is a true definition of her talent, dedication, and perseverance, embodying the spirit of our university’s tagline: “Succeed we must.”
