Meet the Young Scientists of Target Malaria: Aisha Nakitende

What do you do with Target Malaria, and what do you enjoy about your work? 

I’m Aisha Nakitende, an Insectary Assistant with Target Malaria Uganda at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI). My work involves Anopheles gambiae mosquito rearing and maintaining colonies, monitoring insectary environment, running experiments, detecting genes in transgenic mosquitoes using microscopy and PCR techniques. I enjoy the challenge of working with cutting-edge technology to combat malaria and the development of innovative solutions for disease control. 

What motivated you to enter this line of work? 

I am driven by the potential to create a tangible impact on people’s lives, fuelled by my fascination with biotechnology and genetics. The chance to address significant public health challenges, such as malaria, deeply inspires me. 

Who are you inspired by? 

I’m inspired by the scientists in malaria research in Target Malaria and their groundbreaking work and dedication to improving human health. 

Do you have any advice to other Young Scientists? 

My advice to young scientists is to stay curious, persistent and open minded. They should stay updated on the latest research and technologies about improving lives. 

What does a day in the lab/field look like for you? What’s your favourite task to do in the lab or wherever you work? 

A usual day involves routine activities for mosquito rearing, preparing samples for microscopy and PCR analysis. Sometimes I will be in the lab to conduct experiments, optimize protocols or for some trouble shooting.  

Analysing data, interpreting results, participating in team meetings, sharing updates and planning future experiments are also quite common in my daily tasks. I enjoy the meticulous process of microscopy observing the intricate details of Anopheles gambiae anatomy and identifying transgenic traits.