Professor Tom Scriba

Dr. Tom Scriba was recently honoured with a promotion to Professor within the Division of Immunology, congratulations to Prof. Scriba who is also a full member of the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM). We interviewed Tom Scriba to provide a feature on our new full Professor. 

What is your name and position?
Tom Scriba, Professor

What is the name of your research group?
South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI)

Summarise your research:
I lead the clinical immunology laboratory within SATVI, which is a team of scientists, technologists, postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate students. Our focus is clinical development of novel TB vaccination approaches and strategies and gaining a better understanding of the immunological underpinnings of immunity against M. tuberculosis. This includes identification of immune correlates of risk or of protection against M. tuberculosis infection and TB disease.

Why do you work in immunology?
The immune system never ceases to amaze me. It is a remarkably complex system that provides endless opportunities for learning, is critically essential for survival, provides a window into the processes of health and disease, and can be manipulated to improve human health.

What would you would be if you weren’t an immunologist?
Either a game ranger or wine maker (ideally both at the same time)

What is the best advice or recommendations for young immunologists?
Find what you love doing and never stop delving deeper into it.

Find out more about Professor Scriba's research - SATVI

Interview by Bonamy Holtak