Carine Kunsevi-Kilola
Post-Doctoral Fellow
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Occupation:Post-Doctoral Fellow
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Email:
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EDUCATION:PhD
EXPERIENCE
Dr Carine Kunsevi-Kilola holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Stellenbosch University, where her research explored the intricate connection between Tuberculosis (TB) and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), particularly examining the factors influencing T2D individuals in progressing to active TB. Since joining RIRCA, Carine has directed her expertise towards understanding the mechanism affecting pregnant women living with HIV and fetal development.
AWARDS
| Award Name | Dates | Presentation Title |
| The Intramural AIDS Research Fellowship (IARF) – Office of Intramural Training & Education National Institute of Health (NIH) |
2025 | The Intramural AIDS Research Fellowship |
| African Post-doctoral Training Initiative Fellowship by the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) in partnership with the US National Institute of Health (NIH) – Cohort 3 | 31 March 2023 | African Postdoctoral Training Initiative (APTI) – Fogarty International Center @ NIH |
| The Global Health Travel Award from Keystone Symposium, Santa Fe, NM, USA | 16 Jan 2020 | A2 Tuberculosis: Immunity and Immune Evasion conference |
| L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa: Young Talents, 21 Nov 2019, Dakar, Senegal | 21 Nov 2019 | 2019 Young Talents Sub-Saharan Africa Awards L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme.pdf |
| Doctoral Scholarship: Extended support for scholarships and fellowships | 2018 | |
| Stellenbosch University Scientific Travel award | 2017 | Changes in peripheral T-cell subsets during Tuberculosis-Diabetes Co-morbidity |
| The Global Health Travel Award from Keystone Symposium Colorado, USA | 28 February – 3 March 2016 | Changes in peripheral T-cell subsets during Tuberculosis-Diabetes Co-morbidity |
| Harry Crossley Laboratory Consumable Grant | 2015 | |
| Scholarship Award for the 1st IUIS-FAIS southern African Immunology Workshop combined with the 6th Infectious Diseases in Africa (IDA) Symposium and African Flow Cytometry Workshop | 20-30 October 2015 | Characterization of HAM and blood MDM responses to M.tb in TB household contacts with and without type 2 diabetes |
INTRODUCTION
🎙 Meet Dr Carine Kunsevi, Ph.D(Pr.Nat.Sci)
RIRCA is proud to spotlight Dr Carine Kunsevi-Kilola, who has recently returned from the National Institute of Health where she worked at the Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology lab in Bethesda, USA.
🌍As an African Postdoctoral Training Initiative (APTI) fellow at Stellenbosch University and a key RIRCA researcher, Carine is investigating how the timing of antiretroviral therapy (ART) affects placental blood vessel development in women living with HIV. Her project looks at the complement system’s role in pregnancy, aiming to unravel why HIV can trigger adverse birth outcomes like preterm birth and low birthweight. 🔬
👉Her project title: “The impact of Antiretroviral Therapy Timing on complement_mediated angiogenesis in women living with HIV”
💪Her goal: to identify biomarkers that can improve maternal and neonatal health in HIV-affected pregnancies, paving the way for healthier pregnancies and brighter futures.
YOUR CURRENT PROJECT
🎥 Meet Dr Carine Kunsevi, Ph.D(Pr.Nat.Sci)
We’re excited to continue our spotlight on Dr Carine Kunsevi-Kilola! In this short video, Carine shares a glimpse of herself outside the lab – her hobbies and even her favourite immune cell.
🌍 As an African Postdoctoral Training Initiative (APTI) fellow at Stellenbosch University and a key RIRCA researcher, Carine’s project explores the complement system’s role in pregnancy, aiming to understand why HIV can trigger adverse birth outcomes like preterm birth and low birthweight.
👉 Watch her short interview and get to know the scientist behind the research.
BEHIND THE SCENES
🎥 Behind the Science with Carine Kunsevi, Ph.D(Pr.Nat.Sci)
🔬 Step inside the lab with Carine, who gives us a closer look at her science in action. Her research investigates how HIV-driven complement system activation impairs placental vascularisation – a critical process for healthy pregnancies.
🧬 By analysing global plasma proteomics, Dr Carine Kunsevi-Kilola explores how the timing of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) modifies immune responses to prevent adverse outcomes such as preterm birth and low birthweight.
🎯Her goal: to bridge the gap between immunology and clinical care, ensuring healthier pregnancies for women living with HIV.
Carine’s journey reminds us that every experiment adds a piece to the puzzle of maternal health and reproductive immunology in Africa.
FUTURE PLANS
🗣️Dr Carine Kunsevi
Dr Kunsevi-Kilolas’ s journey into immunology began with a fascination for the dynamic interplay between host and pathogens, an interaction she sees as central to understanding human health and disease.
💬 Advice to future immunologists: “Stay resilient and embrace omics and data science as the future language of medicine.”
🔎 Her vision: Moving beyond descriptive studies, Carine aims to decode the fundamental pathways of immune regulation and dysregulation.
🚀 Looking ahead: “In 10 years, I see myself as a leading African scientist, refining global clinical guidelines and mentoring the next generation to drive evidence-based, innovative HIV responses and healthcare solutions across the continent.”
Carine is an African Postdoctoral Training Initiative (APTI) fellow and a vital member of the RIRCA team!
Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF)
