Ruth Nanjala is a scientist specializing in the application of computational methods to investigate the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) region and its role in complex immune-mediated diseases.
With a background in Bioinformatics and Microbiology, Ruth completed a master’s research project that evaluated the accuracy of genotype imputation within the HLA region across selected African populations. This work fostered a continuing research interest in HLA genetics, particularly in leveraging computational approaches to elucidate the mechanisms by which HLA variants influence gene expression.
Since October 2022, Ruth has been pursuing a DPhil in Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Oxford, supported by the AfOx Kennedy Trust Prize studentship & Clarendon Scholarship. Under the supervision of Dr. Yang Luo and Professor John Todd, Ruth’s doctoral research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms through which disease-associated HLA variants modulate autoimmune disease risk.
