Leonard Mvaya
Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Adjunct Lecturer
PhD Clinical Sciences, MSc Immunology, BSc Microbiology
leonard.mvaya@wimr.org.au
Biography
Dr Leonard Mvaya completed his Master of Science in Immunology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2020, before going on to complete a PhD in Clinical Sciences at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in 2024. His doctoral research focused on tissue‑resident memory CD8⁺ T cells in mucosal and lymph node tissues and how HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy shape their phenotype, localisation and effector function. This work has led to three first‑author publications and co-authorship in several papers in the fields of HIV immunology.
In his current postdoctoral role at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Dr Mvaya’s research focuses on HIV cure strategies, particularly the development of novel approaches for HIV latency reversal and reservoir targeting. In parallel, he is characterising the phenotypic and functional properties of CD8⁺ T cells across human anogenital tissues to understand how local microenvironments shape T cell immunity.
Dr Mvaya is skilled in multiparameter flow cytometry and immunophenotyping, spatial tissue analysis, human tissue processing and culture, viral infectious assays and bioinformatics.
Research interests
Leonard’s research focuses on two complementary areas in HIV immunology. One project investigates HIV cure strategies, with a particular emphasis on understanding and optimising latency reversal through the use of HIV infection models. A separate program characterises the phenotypic and functional properties of CD8⁺ T cells, including tissue‑resident memory subsets, across mucosal and anogenital tissues to define how local microenvironments shape antiviral T cell responses.
Additional information
Education
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (United Kingdom) – PhD Clinical Science
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (United Kingdom) – MSc Immunology
University of Pretoria (South Africa) – BSc Microbiology
Affiliations
University of Sydney
