Kimona Rampersadh

CHI research group: Partnerships for children with heart disease in Africa (PROTEA)

Kimona Rampersadh is a PhD student enrolled at the University of Cape Town, supervised by Prof. Mark Engel (AFROStrep research initiative/PROTEA, CHI, Department of Medicine). Her PhD aims to better understand the molecular epidemiology and pathogenesis of Group A Streptococcus (GAS), in elucidating the role of this organism in Rheumatic Heart Disease. Her research, incorporating a variety of laboratory techniques including whole genome sequencing to identify microbial determinants associated with GAS infection, seeks to improve the understanding of the pathobiology of GAS and increase the prospects of developing an effective vaccine against GAS. 

Research engagements:

·         Group A Streptococcus epidemiology

·         Rheumatic heart disease epidemiology and pathogenesis