@rirca
The Reproductive Immunology Research Consortium in Africa was founded by @clivemgray at Stellenbosch University. A group of scientists, clinicians & statisticians investigating the immunological factors contributing to adverse birth and perinatal outcomes
🧬 Just published! Joining the dots: maternal cytomegalovirus, HIV and the placenta.
We explore how maternal CMV–HIV co-infection during pregnancy may disrupt immune balance at the maternal–feotal interface
📖https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2024.0400
#placenta #cmv #hiv #immunology
Fuad Waja
Meet Fuad Waja in August!
📊As the Biorepository Database Coordinator, Fuad is responsible for overseeing the storage and preservation of our lab’s biological specimens, ensuring optimal conditions to maintain their integrity and viability.
#MeetTheTeam #Biorepository #Immunology #LabOperations
Doty Ojwach's Future Plans
🚀 ”I aspire to lead translational research that improves lives, bridging lab innovations with real-world impact”
🌱” I see myself directing an African research center in maternal-fetal immunology, mentoring the next generation of African scientists"
#Immunology #WomenSTEM
🧪 Thursdays at RIRCA are all about collaboration and discovery!
Each week, our team gathers for a lab catch-up—sharing progress and spotlighting new findings 🔬
#Immunology #LabLife #TeamScience #RIRCA #AfricanScience #ImmunologyEducation #WomenInScience #ScientificCollaboration
Step into Dr Doty Ojwach's world at RIRCA
Watch as Doty takes us through her lab routine for a cell culture.
🧪 Warming media
🧼 Setting up a station at the hood
🔬 Observing cells under the microscope!
🔊 Sound On to follow her journey in the lab!
📽️ Watch the video to #MeetTheTeam
#Immunology
The Postgraduate #OpenDay2025 was a brilliant showcase of science in action!
🔬The RIRCA team brought science to life with our interactive stand, with videos, examples of instruments, a microscope, and a game designed to spark curiosity and conversation.
We loved meeting future scientists!
🎥 Meet Dr Doty Ojwach (PhD) Ojwach in July!
🥼 Find out about her research at RIRCA as our respected Senior Scientist.
🧬 Doty blends immunology, virology, and placental biology to address safer strategies for pregnant HIV+ women
🎥 Watch the video to #MeetTheTeam
#AfricanScience #immunology
Meet the Team – Dr Doty Ojwach, Senior Scientist at RIRCA!
🗣️ “I study how HIV and antiretrovirals affect maternal and fetal health—especially through placental macrophages.”
🌍 Her mission: translational science that improves pregnancy outcomes for women living with #HIV.
#Immunology #WomenInScience
📢 RIRCA at FOCIS 2025
🥼Prof Clive Gray chaired the Microbiome and Immunity session.
🧪 Dr Doty Ojwach presented her impactful poster on a study linking HIV treatment and maternal-fetal health.
🧫 Prof Rossouw (University of Pretoria) was also in attendance highlight South African #immunology
🚗 Meet Franklin Erasmus – the Man Behind the Specimen Move! He shares how he got started in logistics and what led him to join the RIRCA team.
From his first steps into specimen transport to his role today. Watch the video and hear Franklin’s story
#RIRCA #ScienceInAction #Immunology #AfricanScience
📢 Meet the RIRCA Team! In June, we are highlighting Franklin Erasmus, our dedicated Logistics Officer!
Franklin gave a quick peek into his role at RIRCA and how he likes to spend his downtime
🎥 Watch the video below 👇
#MeetTheTeam #Immunology #AfricanScience
🔬 Meet Our RIRCA Team! Nicole Prins, our Scientific Officer & MSc student has a passion for immunology and research on early-life immune development.
💡 Stay curious & find strong mentorship
🚀 Future goal of impactful translational research in Africa
#Immunology #AfricanScience #WomenInScience #Lab
🔬 Meet Our RIRCA Team! Spotlighting Nicole Prins, Scientific Officer & MSc student!
💡 Behind-the-scenes glimpse into her CMV research.
🎥 Watch Nicole in action below!
#Immunology #AfricanScience #MedicalResearch #CMV #ScienceSpotlight #WomenInScience #Lab
🧬 Imagine mapping biology in 3D – spatial omics makes it possible!
Join our advanced online course 'Single cell and spatial omics' 2–13 June and gain in-demand skills for your research and CV.
👉 Secure your spot today! 50% discount for members 👀 https://bit.ly/447QN0a
Team Highlight! Nicole Prins our Scientific Officer: 10 years' experience on diverse research projects. I process specimens, optimize assays, and train staff & students. I especially enjoy conducting experiments and data analysis. I’m currently completing my MSc at SU #immunology
#AfricanScience
Nikon Small World Competition closes 30 April! Enter either the 📸 Photomicrography Competition for still images or 🎥 Small World in Motion (SWIM) for videos.
🏆$3,000 for first-place winners! Every entry to receive a Nikon Small World calendar www.nikonsmallworld.com
#Microscopy #Photography
📢 Dr Doty Ojwach from our team will present her research “Investigating placental macrophages in maternal HIV and antiretroviral therapy” at the Harvard University Center for AIDS Research Research in Progress!
📅 Friday, April 11, 2025 at 2PM CAT
📌 Hybrid! mailchi.mp/6cfe068bb654...
#HIV #immunology
It's World Health Day! The WHO theme is "Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures". At RIRCA, we remember that our collective vision to improve mother and child health in Africa 🌍 through immunology research 🔬“NGOBUNYE” – Together we Thrive! 🤝#WorldHealthDay #immunology #maternalhealth #birth
Mark your calendars for this year's Day of Immunology !
This year's theme is "Brain and Immunity: Immunological insights into neurologic disorders"
📅 Date: April 29, 2025
⏰ Time: 15:00 – 18:00 CEST
💻 Format: Online Webinar
🔗 Register here: immunohub.iuis.org/iuis/2024/we...
Exciting opportunity! Applications to host an IUIS course in 2026 are open!
www.surveymonkey.com/r/IUISCourse...
#course #immunology #education
More below:
Applications for Immuno-Peru 2025 are open!
This IUIS-ALACI-PSI course will focus on a variety of endemic and emerging diseases related to environmental and climate change.
www.immunopaedia.org.za/course-appli...
#course #education #immunology #science #research
📢 It's #WorldTuberculosisDay 2025!
#TB is preventable and curable, yet millions are still affected!
This year we focus on early diagnosis, universal treatment access & the responsible use of medicines to save lives & stop the spread.
➡️ bit.ly/WorldTBDay2025
#TB #Tuberculosis #WorldTBDay #EndTB
What is tuberculosis (TB)?
Today is #WorldTBDay.
#Tuberculosis - or TB - is caused by bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis that mainly affects the lungs.
Common symptoms include
❗️ Cough
❗️ Chest pains
❗️ Weight loss
❗️ Fever
❗️ Night sweats
Learn more about TB 👉 bit.ly/3yYNwzx #EndTB
The Reproductive Immunology Research Consortium in Africa (RIRCA) is pioneering research to uncover immunological factors 🔬 impacting birth outcomes, especially for infants born to mothers living with HIV🤰Established in 2021, we aim to drive positive change with communities! 💪
#HIV #immunology
🚀 Our 2nd #WomenInScience interview is live!
🎙️ Johanna Joyce @johannajoyce.bsky.social shares insights on gender equality, challenges in science & building an inclusive research space, hosted by Lyn Lim @lynnietheelf.bsky.social
🎦 Watch here 👉 youtu.be/4CRxH_kEUYk?...
Last chance to register for the BSI's #SIGNET2025 joint immunology symposium in Perth on 27 March!⌛
Discover the latest immunology research happening across Scotland. Keynote speakers include Prof. Sarina Ravens and Prof. David Sansom.
👉Register now: bit.ly/4euIWLO
New research in @jimmunol.bsky.social from @jenjuno.viralvaxlab.com and Dr. Hyon-Xhi Tan suggests that receiving multiple doses of a vaccine in the same limb leads to faster antibody development. Learn more: news.aai.org/2025/03/10/m.... #medsky #immunosky #idsky
Nicole Prins successfully presented her Master's update at the Division of Immunology today 🥳 Her MSc project is entitled "CMV and HIV exposure in premature infants". Well done, Nicole!
#immunology #cmv #hiv #infant #research #ImmunologyResearch #PrematureInfants #ResearchSuccess #FutureOfScience
Many women lack access to essential sexual & reproductive health services that prevent maternal deaths. LEADING DIRECT CAUSES ARE: Haemorrhage (Severe heavy bleeding) 27% Hypertensive disorders including preeclampsia 16% Other direct causes including birth injuries and anaesthetic complications 10% Spontaneous and induced abortion including complications from miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, unsafe abortions 8% Sepsis/infections 7% Pulmonary embolism 7% Underlying health issues like anaemia, HIV/ AIDS, diabetes and malaria are major contributors to many maternal deaths. 23%
📢 New study on causes of maternal death:
Severe bleeding (haemorrhage) and hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia are the leading causes of maternal deaths, together claiming around 130,000 lives worldwide in 2020.
bit.ly/43AzEvM
