Dr Grace Nabakooza: Creating accessible products that prevent disease and improve life.

1. How would you describe yourself 

I am Grace Nabakooza, professionally, I am passionate about global health security, with a focus on preventing disease at its source. I hold a PhD in Viral Genomics and Bioinformatics from Makerere University, a master’s in bioinformatics from the University of Edinburgh, UK, and a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry and Mathematics from Makerere University. I have a multifaceted research career, combining over 10 years of expertise in wet laboratory, bioinformatics, infectious disease research, public health, and scientific writing. Since 2022, I have been based at the U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, supporting various public health laboratories and teams in data management, quality control, bioinformatics analysis, and scientific publication.

I was born and raised in Uganda by a resilient, single, determined mother, and the youngest of three siblings. I would describe myself as a multi-talented, purpose-driven, and self-motivated woman who believes that with God first, followed by your best work, there is nothing you cannot achieve. That mindset has carried me through a rewarding journey in my life and science career.

2. Can you share the highlights of your academic and research journey, and how it has shaped your career? – with a focus on MUII support

Gratefully, my professional journey has been marked by a series of highlights, starting as a student intern and progressing to roles in some of the world’s most prestigious research and public health institutions. Throughout this journey, the MUII-Plus programme, under the visionary leadership of Professor Alison Elliott and her team, has been a consistent and transformative source of support, serving as mentors, supervisors, sponsors, and peer support.

My first highlight began in June 2012, when I walked through the gates of the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe as a second-year student from Makerere University. I had been placed in the Immunology Laboratory at the then Medical Research Centre (now MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit), led by Professor Alison Elliott. This internship was foundational. During these 3 months, I was trained in the theoretical and practical concepts of immunology and cell biology. The experience was so enriching that I entered the interns’ competition and presented on how to preserve the integrity of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) for immunological assays—an original concept I developed from practical lessons in the lab. I won third prize. At the time, I didn’t realise how much that internship would shape the course of my future.

While waiting for graduation, I volunteered at the Infectious Disease Research Collaboration (IDRC) in Mulago, where I was trained in Malaria and parasitology research. Though unpaid, it offered me a glimpse into the real-world application of lab science and prepared me for what I now call “my mega entry” into research.

In 2014, shortly after graduation, I landed my first research job back in Professor Alison’s lab as a laboratory technologist on the Infant BCG Study (IBS), under the supervision of Prof. Stephen Cose. Through IBS, we aimed to assess the effect of maternal latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. TB) infection on the infants’ immune responses to the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine. I led various aspects of the project’s laboratory work, including protocol development, immunological assays and preliminary data analysis. One of the project’s highlights is when I discovered an unusual CD8+ T-cell phenotype in infants, which led us to identify early acquisition of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in Ugandan infants—a finding with significant public health implications. I generated massive laboratory data for IBS, which I could not effectively manage and analyse, a challenge that stirred my desire to pursue a master’s degree in Bioinformatics.

Another highlight was winning the Wellcome Trust Uganda Bioinformatics Master’s Fellowship, worth £57,000, awarded by Wellcome Trust and the UK Government through MUII-Plus. This was my career turning point and facilitated my transition into Bioinformatics. I went on to pursue a Master’s in Bioinformatics at the University of Edinburgh. Here, I complimented my laboratory knowledge with a new skill set in programming, genomic analysis, phylogenetics, virology and high-performance computing. During my MSc dissertation research on global transmission networks of HIV-1, I recognised how scarce these advanced tools and viral genomic surveillance were underrepresented in Africa, especially for re-emerging viruses like influenza.

This inspired my PhD proposal, which won me another Wellcome Trust Fellowship worth £52,225, again through MUII-Plus. My research, titled “Modeling the Influenza Transmission Dynamics in Africa”, was supervised by Professor Simon D.W. Frost, Professor  John Kitayimbwa and Professor David Kateete. It focused on sequencing and characterising the genetic diversity and transmission patterns of influenza viruses in Africa, contributing important insights to Africa’s public health systems.

After my PhD, my journey led me to the globally renowned power in public health research and investigations, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, where I was awarded the highly competitive CDC Bioinformatics Fellowship through The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). As stated in the award letter, this prestigious appointment is made “in recognition of the awardee’s past achievements, academic and career objectives, and interest in the program sponsor’s mission.” It is humbling and a privilege to be the first Ugandan and first black woman directly recruited from Africa into this prestigious programme.

From student intern to global researcher, MUII-Plus has been a constant presence, opening doors, providing resources, and fostering my growth in every step. Their investment in me is now multiplying as I share knowledge, contribute to scientific progress, and mentor others in and beyond Africa.

3. What motivated you to choose your area of specialization, and how do you think it contributes to scientific progress?

My transition from immunology into bioinformatics was sparked by a real and personal challenge. In my early years, while working as the lead lab personnel on the Infant BCG study (IBS), I generated large volumes of laboratory data that I didn’t have the tools and capacity to manage or analyse effectively. I felt limited (which I do not like), knowing the answers were buried in that data, but I couldn’t extract them. This challenge sparked my decision to pursue a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics—not just to solve that immediate problem, but to equip myself with the skills to handle, manage, and interpret scientific data independently, in any research setting. One statement I live by is: “If you have a why, you will always find a way.” And this was my “why”.

Specialising in bioinformatics has empowered me to transform raw data into meaningful scientific insights. Today, my work contributes to understanding disease transmission, guides surveillance strategies, supports evidence-based decision-making, and has added to scientific data and literature. That, to me, is good progress.

4. Could you describe some of your most significant research findings or projects that have had a broader impact?

Before my PhD, viral surveillance programmes showed that influenza viruses circulated within African populations. However, there was a critical missing piece — we lacked the genomic-based data to understand how these viruses evolved, spread, and contributed to seasonal epidemics. With support from the Wellcome Trust PhD fellowship through MUII-Plus, I set out to close this critical gap.

As principal investigator, I led and conducted a comprehensive study that combined laboratory and genomics, with cutting-edge bioinformatics and phylodynamic modeling. I successfully generated 215 novel viral genomes from clinical samples collected through the WHO influenza surveillance programme by the Uganda Research Institute (UVRI), led by Professor Julius Lutwama.  Collaborating with Professor James Nokes’ laboratory at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kilifi, Kenya, I was the first to use the advanced next-generation technology to sequence influenza viruses whole-genomes locally for Uganda. I curated and published my newly generated viral genomes in the Global Influenza Data Sharing Database (GISAID) for free, contributing to global open data sharing.

I then developed custom Unix, R, and Python scripts to clean and analyse these genomes alongside others from across Africa and the world. This advanced analysis allowed me to uncover the historical evolution, diversity, and transmission patterns of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses, dating back to 1994. My findings revealed Africa’s contribution to the global migration of influenza viruses, offering a new perspective on regional and international virus exchange that had previously gone unrecognised.

My PhD work is very significant because it provided the first continent-wide genomic view of influenza in Africa, establishing a foundation for future molecular surveillance and public health decision-making. From this work, I first-authored and published three original articles, now accessed over 10,000 times and referenced across the global scientific community.

In addition, during my MSc working under the supervision of Prof Andrew Leigh Brown and Dr Emma Hodcroft at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, I designed a novel Python pipeline to construct HIV-1 transmission networks using  HIV-1 full genome sequences. My findings were the first to show that pure and recombinant HIV-1 viruses sampled globally cluster together. This achievement not only showed a significant breakthrough but highlighted the potential to include HIV-1 gene recombinants in future HIV transmission studies. My research findings provided preliminary data for further studies by Prof Andrew’s group, later published in globally recognised peer-reviewed journals.

5. How do you approach mentoring or guiding junior scientists, and what advice would you offer young academics seeking to excel in their research?

I believe mentorship is most impactful when personal. That is why I always prefer a one-on-one approach. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all model because every young scientist brings a unique set of capabilities, needs, and dreams. So, I take time to listen, understand their journey, and then guide them based on where they are and where they hope to go.

To every young academic or researcher, here are my 4 pieces of advice:

• Be open-minded in the beginning. Learn as much as you can from different areas. Explore, ask questions, and stay curious. This exploration stage helps you discover the field that stirs your passion. Because you want to commit to the field that you can serve wholeheartedly even when no one is watching.
• Find a mentor in that field of interest and keep them close. The right mentor is like a compass. They won’t walk the path for you, but they will help you stay on course and prevent many mistakes.
• Be clear about your direction early: research or academia. It is easy to follow the crowd or the money, but that can lead to regrets. Having clarity at this stage highly depends on the first two steps — exploration and mentorship.
• And finally, ALWAYS BE PREPARED. There are thousands of opportunities out there in the form of research grants, fellowships, and training for every stage in your research career. But you have to look for them. They won’t find you seated. First, always update your documents and have them ready, network with intention, and even spare 30 minutes a day to Google search for opportunities. You don’t get something from nothing.

I believe preparation is key. This is why I founded ILLUMINATEDbyGRACE (https://gracenabakooza.com/) to provide services that equip female professionals in STEM with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate their careers and make empowered, informed decisions. By sharing my story and experiences, my mission is to help the next woman walk boldly and purposefully through her own journey. In addition to this, I am a licensed financial professional. I facilitate sessions focused on financial planning and management, helping my peers build financial confidence and long-term security. When I’m not leading in these spaces, I remain committed to contributing meaningfully to pressing social issues through volunteer work and service.

6. Are there any specific challenges you faced during your academic journey, and if so, how did you overcome them?

Absolutely. I encountered several challenges during my PhD journey, but two stand out clearly.

The first was the COVID-19 pandemic. It disrupted research timelines and halted travel, creating uncertainty and delays. Like many researchers around the world, I had to adjust my timelines and expectations. Thankfully, MUII-Plus stepped in with critical support—they extended my funding to accommodate the setbacks caused by the pandemic. That support wasn’t just financial; it was a reminder that I wasn’t walking the journey alone. Makerere University was also very accommodative to us as students, where they started online training for the mandatory PhD skill courses.

The second major challenge was computational. I was working with large genomic datasets, and the infrastructure at the time wasn’t always sufficient to meet the demand. But again, collaboration made the difference. I reached out to teams in Kenya and the United States, including Professor Simon D.W. Frost at Microsoft in Seattle. Through these collaborations, we were able to troubleshoot and optimise various genomic data analysis tools, overcoming what had initially felt like insurmountable technical barriers.

Looking back, these challenges became growth opportunities and remind me of the power of collaboration in science. These collaborations not only enrich the quality of the science but also sustain knowledge transfer and network building.

7. Can you discuss the importance of collaboration within the research community and highlight any examples where collaboration has been critical to your work?

Beyond helping me overcome challenges, working closely with my supervisor, doctoral committee, and peers created a rich, supportive ecosystem that pushed the boundaries of what I could achieve. I had the privilege of collaborating with colleagues from several esteemed institutions across borders, including the MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Uganda Virus Research Institute, MUII-Plus, the Friends of PhD Support Group, Makerere University, the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kilifi, the Cambridge-Africa Programme, and even Microsoft in Seattle, USA.

Each of these collaborations played a unique and valuable role at every stage of my PhD, whether in refining my ideas, enhancing data analysis, co-authoring publications, or simply encouraging me to keep going. They also modeled the kind of inclusive, multidisciplinary teamwork that I believe is essential for impactful scientific research today.

8. How do you balance your research work with other responsibilities, and do you have any strategies for maintaining productivity in multiple areas?

Over the years, I have come to firmly believe that life happens beyond the four walls of the lab or office. While research is a major part of my life, I intentionally make room for my other passions like church, business, and travel. I have noticed that when I focus solely on one thing, especially for long periods, I become mentally drained. But when I carve out even just an hour a day for something I love outside of work, I return to research feeling renewed and re-energised.

My strategy is simple: Prioritise — Rest — Other.

• Each day, I commit to finishing one major priority. This must be one and only task per day that needs my clearest thinking.
• Then, I rest. I love a short nap – it works wonders for clarity. I wish workplaces would incorporate nap rooms (haha).
• And finally, I dedicate 30 minutes to an hour to something else I enjoy but doesn’t demand intense mental effort.

This strategy keeps me grounded, productive, and more present in all areas of my life that I am passionate about.

9. Finally, what is your vision for the future of scientific research, and how do you think young academics can contribute to it?

My vision for the future of scientific research beyond just publishing papers to creating tangible, innovative, and accessible products that prevent disease and improve personal everyday life. These could be as simple and practical as functional foods, wellness supplements, or daily-use tools designed to promote health in our homes, schools, and communities.

For the past 3.5 years, I have had the privilege to work at the intersection of laboratory research and public health through the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Here, I have witnessed firsthand how small, user-friendly innovations can make a big difference in disease prevention at the population level. We need science that doesn’t just sit in published journals, but lives in people’s hands and homes.

As young researchers and academics, we have a powerful role to play in this transformation. It’s high time we started embracing evolving technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, 3D modelling, and data-driven design. These tools are the “NEXT BIG THING” we can leverage to accelerate and bridge discovery and real-world impact, especially in Africa, where technology and resources are minimal.  We have the power within us to build the future we hope for.