First-year Ph.D. student at the University of Liverpool and under the Maternal and Foetal Health Group Dalitso Kalua recently received a translational travel award worth £4200 from the University of Liverpool., studying to understand the effect of HIV infection on the immune cells of the placenta and the effect this might have on the birth outcome or life of the offspring.

“With this award, I was able to travel to Tamara Tiliburg’s lab at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Tamara is an expert in the field of placental immunology, and it was an honour to sit under her.

As there is no one currently doing placental work here at MLW, this was an opportunity for me to learn new skills that I need for my project. During my visit, I was able to learn new skills in placenta dissection, digestion, and optimal methods of cell storage. I was also privileged to meet and connect with other scientists who have similar interests.

I am excited to transfer my learnt skills to my colleagues here at MLW and looking forward to the progress of my studies.

Lastly, I would like to thank my supervisor Dr. Louise Afran for the support and encouragement, and my colleagues in the laboratory – Bahati Mazulu, Kenneth Moses, George Shaba, and Mirriam Muruniwa for covering my work while I was away,” Kalua said.