Associate Professor Shaheen Mowla holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and joined the Haematology Molecular Research Unit in 2009. She is a cancer biologist and her primary research focus is in the field of HIV related lymphoma. Lymphomas are an important complication of HIV infection, with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma being the most common types of HIV/AIDS-defining lymphomas. The incidence of these cancers in HIV-infected individuals remains high even under combined antiretroviral therapy that reconstitutes the immune function. Dr Mowla’s research uses a broad range of molecular and cellular biology techniques to study transcription factor function, signal transduction pathways and gene expression and regulation in these lymphomas. She works closely with pathologists and clinicians with the aim to improve diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of patients suffering from these aggressive cancers. Dr. Mowla previously held the prestigious Medical Research Council (MRC) Career Development Award, and is currently the recipient of several research awards. She has established collaborations with both local and international partners and she has trained and mentored over 20 BSc Medical Honours, Masters and PhD students in the last 10 years. She is also involved in teaching and convening of various undergraduate and postgraduate courses. She is a member of several faculty and University committees including the Transformation committee, the Human Research Ethics committee, the University Employment Equity forum, and others.

Selected publications of the last 5 years:

1. Mowla S and R Ahmed (2022) HIV infection and the risk of cancer – tumorigenicity of HIV-1 auxiliary proteins. Future Virology. https://doi.org/10.2217/fvl-2022-0065
2. Ramorola BR, Goolam-Hoosen T, Alves de Souza Rios L, Mowla S (2021) Modulation of Cellular MicroRNA by HIV-1 in Burkitt Lymphoma Cells—A Pathway to Promoting Oncogenesis. Genes. 2021; 12(9):1302. PMID: 34573283, DOI: 10.3390/genes12091302.
3. Alves de Souza Rios L, Mapekula L, Mdletshe N, Chetty D, Mowla S (2021) HIV-1 Transactivator of transcription (Tat) co-operates with AP-1 factors to enhance c-MYC transcription. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. Doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.693706
4. Godsmark, G., Alves de Souza Rios, L. & Mowla, S (2021) Activation-Induced cytidine deaminase promotes proliferation and enhances chemoresistance and migration in B-cell lymphoma. Anticancer Research. 41(1): 237 – 247. PMID: 33419818, DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.14770
5. Mdletshe, N., Nel, A., Shires, K. & Mowla, S (2020) HIV Nef enhances the expression of oncogenic c-MYC and activation-induced cytidine deaminase in Burkitt lymphoma cells, promoting genomic instability. Infect. Agent. Cancer 15, 54. DOI: 10.1186/s13027-020-00320-9
6. Rios, L.A.d Souza., Cloete, B. & Mowla, S (2020) Activation-induced cytidine deaminase: in sickness and in health.  J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 146(11): 2721 – 2730; PMID: 32772231, DOI: 10.1007/s00432-020-03348-x