By Racheal Ninsiima
We are pleased to announce that on August 10 2022, Dr. Richard Kwizera, a THRiVE-2 PhD fellow, successfully defended his PhD dissertation titled: ‘Aspergillus sensitization and asthma in Uganda.’ The defense was held in a hybrid (online/in-person) format and was evaluated by a Dissertation Committee consisting of Dr. Henry Kajumbula; Dr. Bruce Kirenga and Dr. Joseph Musaazi. The live-streamed defense was also attended by over 40 colleagues and members of the public.
Richard began the defense by delivering a comprehensive presentation about his research, which was then followed by a detailed discussion led by the Dissertation Committee. In his thesis, Richard investigated the burden and factors associated with fungal asthma among Ugandan adult patients. In collaboration with the African Severe Asthma Program at Makerere University Lung institute, Kwizera performed skin prick tests and examined blood samples of 374 adult asthmatics aged between 18 and 70.
The results suggest that fungal asthma is a significant problem among Ugandans with asthma and should be particularly considered in individuals who remain uncontrolled despite optimal standard of care for asthma. The good news is that fungal asthma is responsive to oral antifungal therapy.
Richard’s study has added a wealth of understanding of the burden of fungal asthma in Uganda and the impact of fungal allergy on asthma treatment and overall quality of life. In collaboration with the University of Manchester, he envisions conducting randomized clinical trials of antifungals for the management of fungal asthma in Uganda and setting up and leading a dedicated reference laboratory for studying fungi in Uganda.
Moving forward, he will be required to revise his thesis based on the recommendations from the committee of examiners, and submit the final thesis for approval and award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Microbiology of Makerere University.
Congratulations Dr. Richard Kwizera!