Elizabeth Tchaiwe Chimbayo, PhD

  • Postdoctoral Research Associate
  • Center for Vaccine Research

Why did you choose the University of Pittsburgh?

The University of Pittsburgh is one of the world's leading academic medical institutions, renowned for excellence in tuberculosis (TB) immunology, vaccine development, and non-human primate (NHP) models of infectious diseases. This aligns with my scientific background and long-term career aspirations. My previous research focused on understanding how HIV alters immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) in people living with HIV by characterizing Mtb-specific T-cell receptor repertoires in the lung and peripheral blood. Building on this foundation, I sought to expand my expertise in preclinical vaccine research and in identifying immune correlates of protection using NHP models that recapitulate human TB disease.

Dr JoAnne Flynn's laboratory is internationally recognized for its pioneering research on TB pathogenesis, host immunity, and vaccine evaluation in NHPs, making it an ideal environment to develop advanced skills in translational immunology. Furthermore, the University of Pittsburgh provides access to outstanding research infrastructure, including the Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL), state-of-the-art flow cytometry and advanced imaging technologies such as Positron Emission Tomography–Computed Tomography (PET-CT), which are essential for investigating vaccine efficacy and disease progression in vivo.

Training at the University of Pittsburgh allows me to integrate cutting-edge immunological, molecular, microbiological, and imaging approaches with my previous experience in HIV/TB immunology. This unique multidisciplinary training will equip me to establish an independent research lab focused on TB vaccine development, defining immune correlates of protection, and translating research discoveries into interventions that reduce the global burden of tuberculosis.

Education & Training

  • PhD in Immunology, The University of Glasgow, 2024

Research Interest Summary

Antimicrobial Drug Discovery and Vaccine Development, Host-Pathogen Interactions

Research Interests

My research interests centre on tuberculosis immunology, vaccine development, and host–pathogen interactions, with a particular focus on understanding the immune mechanisms that determine protection against (Mtb). My work aims to identify cellular and humoral correlates of protection, define the immune mechanisms associated with control or progression of TB disease, and evaluate novel vaccine strategies in NHP models. Specifically, I am interested in assessing the immunogenicity and efficacy of novel TB vaccine candidates alongside BCG and identifying immune responses associated with protection, disease progression, and pathology.

Over the next five years, my goal is to establish myself as an independent research scientist leading preclinical studies of TB vaccines. I plan to integrate advanced immunological, molecular, genomic, and imaging approaches to investigate vaccine-induced immune responses at both mucosal and systemic sites. I am also committed to developing collaborative research projects that connect preclinical discoveries with clinical and public health priorities in TB-endemic settings.

My long-term ambition is to contribute to the development of effective TB vaccines and immune-based interventions that reduce the burden of TB disease. Through translational research, international collaboration, mentorship, and scientific leadership, I hope to generate knowledge that informs vaccine design and supports the development of interventions that are relevant to populations most affected by TB.

Publications

Elizabeth T Chimbayo, Jimmy Banda, Belson Kutambe, Steven Mitini- Nkhoma, David Mhango , Aaron Chirambo1,3, Mavis Menyere1,Catherine Anscombe, Rose Malamba, Anstead Kankwatira1, Paul Garside2, Kondwani Jambo, James Brewer, Henry Mwandumba .HIV-1 infection is associated with a differential T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ expression in   Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (Mtb)-specific T cells in the airway and blood (In press).

Elizabeth T Chimbayo, Jimmy Banda, Belson Kutambe, Steven Mitini- Nkhoma, David Mhango , Aaron Chirambo1,3, Mavis Menyere1,Catherine Anscombe, Rose Malamba, Anstead Kankwatira1, Paul Garside2, Kondwani Jambo, James Brewer, Henry Mwandumba . Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific T cells exhibit a differential TCR Vβ chain usage in the airway and blood of Malawian adults living with HIV-1 (In press).

Mitini-Nkhoma SC, Chimbayo ET, Mzinza DT, Mhango DV, Chirambo AP, Mandalasi C, Lakudzala AE, Tembo DL, Jambo KC, Mwandumba HC. Something Old, Something New: Ion Channel Blockers as Potential Anti-Tuberculosis Agents. Front Immunol. 2021 Jun 24;12:665785. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.665785. PMID: 34248944; PMCID: PMC8264357

Gupta-Wright A, Fielding K, Oosterhout-Van J, Alufandika M, Chimbayo E, Heaney J, Byott M, Nastouli E, Mwandumba HC, Corbett EL, Gupta KR. Virological failure, HIV-1 drug resistance, and early mortality in adults admitted to hospital in Malawi: an observational cohort study. Lancet HIV 2020; 7: e620–28; Doi: 10.1016/S2352-3018(20)30172-7

Mvaya L, Mwale A, Hummel A,Phiri J, Kamng’ona R, Mzinza D, Chimbayo E, Malamba R, Kankwatira A, Mwandumba HC, Jambo KC. Airway CD8+CD161++TCRvα7.2+ T Cell Depletion During Untreated HIV Infection Targets CD103 Expressing Cells. Frontiers Immunol 2019 10; DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02003