Lynn S. Zijenah was elected as an AAS Fellow in 2022. As a fellow, Lynn S. Zijenah contributes to the development of the Academy's strategic direction through participation in AAS activities and governance structures. This gears the Academy's vision of transforming African lives through science.
Lynn S. Zijenah is a Professor of Immunology in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, the University of Zimbabwe.
She obtained her BSc degree in Applied Biology from Thames Polytechnic, UK, MSc degree in Biophysics and Biochemistry from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada and PhD degree in Vascular Pathology from the University of Cambridge, UK.
Her research interests include immunogenetics of infectious diseases, prevention of mother- to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), development and evaluation of novel point-of care diagnostic tools for HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Her active participation in pan-African and international science fora and initiatives, ability and consistent track record to lead and establishing a cutting edge Department of Immunology at the UZ, academic affiliations, several competitive grant awards; strong publication track record in high impact factor journals, numerous multi-country collaborations, post-graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral student mentorship and supervision capture her vision, leadership, inter-personal skills and her commitment to investing in the next generation of science leadership.
In addition to participation in multi-centre clinical trials for PMTCT, she has initiated pivotal randomized controlled trials to address PMTCT challenges in sub-Saharan Africa including facilitation of rapid access to anti-retroviral treatment through nurse-initiated services and optimization of implementation of PMTCT strategies. She has made substantial contributions to optimising TB diagnostics through evaluation of point-of-care diagnostics, enhancing understanding of TB transmission dynamics, diagnosis and care for HIV-TB co-infected patients.
Her outstanding contributions to science are not limited to engaging in scientific research. She was, Chairperson of the Department of Immunology for 14 years, Chairperson of the Research Council of Zimbabwe, Foreign Researchers Committee and Division of Pathology. She has been the Scientific Director of the Biomedical Research and Training Institute, in Zimbabwe since 2004. She is currently a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence Consortium.
