Brenda Nabitula (July - October 2008)

Brenda is 31 years old and has trained professionally as a medical doctor. Her research interests include, in particular, infectious disease, anDr Brenda Nabitulad she is currently pursuing immunology as method in which to study this. Brenda is also interested in teaching and academia, and hopes to be a professor one day. While she hasn’t yet undertaken any major research, she hopes to launch into it upon completion of her MMed. Brenda’s other interests include reading; in particular, cooking, art and travel.

Brenda trained with the CDPC from July to October 2008. During her time in Ireland, she worked in Immunology labs in the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, learning molecular techniques including:

• PCR
• Nucleic acid isolation
• Tissue culture
• Isolation of PBMCs
• HLA typing
• Electrophoresis
• Immunoassays using ELISA

Brenda spent much time lecturing on the CDPC's Education Outreach lecture series, where she toured the country with CDPC Education Officer Joe Clowry, giving presentations to second-level studentson HIV/AIDS and other diseases of poverty.

Brenda also spent time training at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, where she learned techniques including immunofluoresence, radioimmunodiffusion and sero HLA typing. During her free time, Brenda spent time in Cork and Dublin, not forgetting to visit the Guinness Brewery before she left!