Dr. Harriet Mpairwe

Dr. Harriet Mpairwe is a physician and epidemiologist at the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit. She serves as an Assistant Professor in Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and is a Lown Scholar at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

With over 14 years of experience in epidemiological research, Dr. Mpairwe investigates the rising prevalence of childhood asthma in Africa, exploring environmental and psychological factors. She is also a co-investigator in the DI-DIDA consortium, which focuses on digital innovations and diagnostics for infectious diseases.

Her research journey began in 2003 as a volunteer Medical Officer at MRC/UVRI, where she later led studies on allergies and asthma in children. She has secured multiple research grants, including the prestigious Wellcome Trust Training Fellowship. Currently, she leads two major projects: a multi-country study on non-atopic asthma mechanisms and a consortium developing affordable, mobile-connected diagnostic tools for sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr. Mpairwe holds a PhD and MSc in Epidemiology from LSHTM and an MBChB from Makerere University. She is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

She values women’s leadership in global health for its role in mentorship, collaboration, and professional growth.

Fun fact: Dr. Harriet has an extensive virtual collection of birds, animals, and flowers—capturing nature through her lens while traveling.