Name: Dr Edith Majonga

Job title: Research Fellow

Faculty/department: Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology

Q1. Tell us about a project you are working on right now.

I have recently started a Wellcome Trust Fellowship called: Characterisation of Cardiovascular Disease in African Youth with Perinatally-acquired HIV infection in the era of Antiretroviral Therapy. Using state-of-the-art advanced cardiovascular imaging and biochemical profiling, I will phenotype cardiac pathology in young people with HIV in Zimbabwe, where I am currently based.

Q2. What are your top skills/areas of expertise?

I am a diagnostic radiographer and possess a diverse skillset of non-invasive cardiovascular assessment techniques. These are echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, flow-mediated dilation, pulse wave velocity and carotid-intima media thickness tests. My research endeavours have predominantly focused on epidemiological studies involving young people with HIV.

Q3. If everything goes to plan with your current work, what will you have achieved in five years’ time?

A comprehensive understanding of the cardiac pathology phenotypes in youth with perinatally-acquired HIV and develop strategies to prevent and manage HIV-associated cardiovascular diseases.

Q4. Describe your career journey so far – what were you doing before this role?

Before this role, I was a full-time researcher fellow at The Health Research Unit in Zimbabwe. I coordinated many projects and received several funding awards. Prior to this Wellcome Fellowship, I held the EDCTP fellowship which enabled the pilot work of my current project.

Q5. Have you always wanted to work in health research? 

I think so! I’ve always been really interested in healthcare. When I was in pre-school, I often role-played as a nurse and enjoyed taking care of my friends!

Q6. What’s the most recent paper you read, and what was interesting about it?

I recently read on Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (an inflammatory biomarker) in paediatric diseases. Interestingly, it’s extensively studied and elevated in various conditions. The biomarker has potential to be a diagnostic tool, a way to treat diseases, or predict when one is at risk of heart damage, which is relevant to my work!

Q7. Who’s your inspiration?

My husband, Joe. He is a go-getter, strategist and nothing is beyond his reach.

Q8. What’s your favourite thing about working at LSHTM?

The diverse interdisciplinary research community and excellence in global health.

Q9. If you could have dinner with any current or historical figure, who would you pick? Why?

Maya Angelou, she was an incredible woman who wore many hats – poet, singer, actress, author, and activist. She touched the lives of many. My favourite quote from Maya is, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”

Q10. How can people get in contact with you?

edith.majonga@lshtm.ac.uk