Characterising T Cell Exhaustion in Chronic HIV Infection - GSS 3.0 (4/5) - Wasihun Hailemichael

ImmunoAfrica's Graduate Student Series offers emerging and aspiring immunologists the opportunity to connect with, learn from, and be inspired by some of the most talented immunology graduate students from Africa.

For its third edition, this year, we feature 5 PhD students representing 5 African countries, namely Zimbabwe, South Africa, Benin, Cameroon, and Ethiopia. Our guests share their unique stories, perspectives, and contributions to the field of immunology, particularly within the African context.

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Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Okete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, The Immunology in Africa Podcast explores narratives at the nexus of immunology & Africa. We ask professors, postdocs, PhD students, and everyone in between to tell us about their journey into immunology, the questions driving their current work, and the impact they hope to make on the continent.

To support our efforts towards amplifying African stories of immunology, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buy us coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nominate a guest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Wasihun Hailemichael is an Immunologist and PhD researcher at University Clinic Freiburg, Germany, studying the heterogeneity of CD8⁺ T cell exhaustion in chronic viral infections, with a particular focus on HIV. His research aims to deepen understanding of the mechanisms underlyingCD8⁺ T cell exhaustion and disease-specific features to explore potential therapeutic opportunities.

Previously, he served as a Lecturer of Immunology at Debre Tabor University, Ethiopia, gaining experience in teaching,mentoring, and research. During his Master's studies, he contributed to a collaborative project on Visceral Leishmaniasis–HIV co-infection with the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium. He received the 19th Tore Godal Award for Young Investigators (2021) from the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) for this thesis research on T cell dysfunction.

Beyond the lab, Wasihun is passionate about communicating science and strengthening immunology research in Africa through collaboration, mentorship, and public engagement.

This episode centres his work on T cell immunity in people living with HIV from his PhD research.

Timestamps:

00:00 - intro, about guest

01:30 - career background; early journey into immunology

06:40 - PhD research overview: CD8+ T cell exhaustion in HIV infection

12:34 - unravelling CD8+ T cell exhaustion heterogeneity

16:19 - factors shaping T cell exhaustion: antiretroviral therapy, CMV infection

21:00 - lab techniques used to address research question and generate data

25:14 - future implication of findings: immune checkpoint inhibitors and other future innovations

29:15 - is T cell exhaustion seen in every person living with HIV?

30:27 - experience as a graduate student: culture shocks, unwinding

34:45 - role within the IUIS and other immunological scientists

39:34 - fun task: favourite immune cell, pitching findings to a potential funder

43:02 - plans post-PhD

45:32 - outro