Lewis Murugu

My academic journey began at the University of Nairobi where I graduated with a BSc in Microbiology and Biotechnology in 2018. Following this, I embarked on a brief but impactful stint with JHPIEGO-Kenya, contributing to an operations research study centred on 'post-partum family planning choices.' Later, in 2019, I received a full scholarship from the Initiative to develop African Research Leaders (IDeAL) to pursue an MSc in Immunology at Pwani University. I was funded to carry out my MSc project at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme. Here, I engineered malaria-specific monoclonal antibodies with enhanced immune functions, laying the groundwork for potential future applications in malaria immunotherapy.

What is more, this postgraduate opportunity provided a stimulating training experience and a platform for valuable networking occasions. Notably, during a teacher-exchange program, I crossed paths with Lena Svensson, delving into her work on Leukocyte migration. Intrigued by the profound significance of understanding how T cells utilize integrins in immune functions, I found myself captivated by the potential applications of this knowledge in cancer research.

Despite the challenges posed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, my enthusiasm to learn more about advanced microscopy and T cell biology remained unwavering. This steadfast interest culminated in my decision to join Lena Svensson lab at Umeå University, where I commenced my PhD journey in November 2022.

Through this academic journey, I hope to contribute to the broader understanding of T cell immunology, particularly in unravelling the complexities of LFA-1 functions in health and disease.