Modeling Malaria Drug Resistance – Specioza Nambooze

In the fight against malaria, drug resistance remains one of the most pressing challenges threatening global health gains. Specioza, a researcher in mathematical modeling, is using advanced computational and statistical tools, like simulated transmission patterns and treatment outcomes, to understand how malaria parasites develop resistance to treatments;

Hello Specy, it is wonderful to have you join us today. Welcome to Words That Count
Thank you for this opportunity. I am happy to be here.

Briefly introduce yourself to the audience
My name is Specioza Nambooze, a Ugandan, born and raised. I am currently a Ph.D. research student based at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in Ghana.

Walk us through your journey into this research on malaria drug resistance. How did you join this field?
I was born and raised in Bamunanika, Luweero district, in Uganda. Coming from a family of teachers, I grew up with the constant reminder that education was the only sure path to success. My dad always reminded us that we were not from a rich family, so school was the only way out, haha. During my early school years, I never thought that I would take on mathematics because it was always a hard subject. Sometimes the teachers also let us know as they taught it. In a way, some of them were never surprised when our grades were not that good. This was always discouraging, and I never thought this would be an area for me.

However, during my final year of O’Levels, maths started coming out as one of my go-to subjects for a good score. That is how my love for the subject truly began. After my O’Levels, I chose to take maths for my A’Levels. This decision did not come without challenges, as maths remained the most challenging among my subjects. But because this is a subject I chose on my own, with the belief that I could do it, I took on the challenge. I never gave up and kept going despite being discouraged by teachers. Some were advising me to consider easier options! Despite the negativity, I also found some very resourceful teachers who believed in me and encouraged me to do my best till the end.

After my A’Levels, I was awarded a scholarship by the government of Uganda for a bachelor’s degree at Makerere University. I was admitted into the BSc in Science with Education, specialising in mathematics and Economics. This was a great achievement for me, considering that university education was expensive and I and a sibling were both starting university in the same year. However, to be honest, I never wanted to be a teacher. Given my maths with economics background, I thought a career in banking or accounting would suit me better. I only accepted the program because it was fully funded. Looking back, I realise that that was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.

At Makerere, I majored in mathematics, where I was exposed to different courses, including mathematical biology. This course left me wanting to learn more due to its applicability to our daily lives in disease, epidemiology, and developmental biology.

After my undergraduate degree, I taught in a school for three years, after which I was awarded a scholarship at AIMS Ghana. This was a game-changer because it opened my eyes to different strands of mathematics. I met friends and lecturers from different parts of the globe – call it social capital, haha. AIMS also intensified my knowledge in mathematical biology, opening up my eyes to many other applications of mathematics. It was more than the normal classroom teaching that I was used to. Through the Mastercard Foundation, I joined community outreach programs and took on the responsibility of serving as a class representative for my cohort. This enhanced my leadership, confidence, and public speaking skills in ways I could never imagine.

At AIMS, my master’s thesis focused on modeling malaria drug resistance, a problem faced by many malaria-endemic countries, especially in Africa. AIMS offered me an opportunity to continue with this research for another year after my AIMS master’s in mathematical sciences. The focus here was on finding out how fast a resistant strain of malaria would invade an area that is already endemic with the sensitive strain. This research used both mathematical analysis and numerical simulations. It revealed that there is a need for us to understand the effect of the many asymptomatic cases on the spread of this drug resistance, considering that the biggest percentage of people in the endemic areas are asymptomatic.

From that, I was awarded a Phd scholarship by the DAAD under the German research chair program in mathematics and its applications with Prof. Nick Monk. Here, I am modeling the Notch signaling pathway. I study how cells “talk” to each other using the Notch pathway, an on/off switch that helps tissues decide where to form different structures. I build mathematical models that combine different mechanisms of this pathway. Through numerical simulations and mathematical analysis, I test how small changes in these mechanisms ripple across space and time. This work helps explain how precise cell patterns emerge and why subtle genetic changes can disrupt them in development and disease, including cancer.

Wow! This sounds like very interesting research you are working on.

Let’s talk about some of the challenges you have faced while navigating your career in drug resistance
One of the significant challenges I have faced career-wise is that the career is very demanding. It requires a lot of commitment, eventually eating up on personal life. But well, if you need something, there is always a price to pay. These opportunities also come with a cost of being away from family for most of the time, which is also an emotional and logistical challenge.

Another is the societal bias where women are not expected to do certain things. Disclosing that you are doing a PhD sometimes results in questions like, Why would a woman do a PhD?, Moreover, in mathematics? These societal biases are sometimes from people so close to us. For example, a family member asked me once why my parents allowed such a bright girl to take on a career in teaching. Their emphasis was that teaching was a profession for failures. 

How are you able to move forward in the presence of such challenges?
First off, my parents have always believed in me, and they never get tired of reminding me about my potential. This has always kept me motivated and going.

Along the way, I have found role models, people that I look up to. I have taken time to read about their experiences, which has made me understand that they also never had it easy. This keeps me working towards my goals.

I have also learned to talk to peers, especially young women taking on the same path as I am. This helps me tap into their confidence and motivation, but also get words of encouragement when I feel drained and down.

Lastly, it is always good to remember why you started. This keeps one grounded in working towards their goals.

What have been some of the prestigious moments as part of your career path into modeling drug resistance?
Every time I have been awarded a scholarship has been so heartwarming for me. Coming from a humble background means that I would not have been able to fund my education without support. From the Uganda government scholarship for my bachelor’s, to the AIMS scholarship for my master’s, and the DAAD scholarship for my PhD studies. I can only be grateful as these have all led to profound steps in my career. They are also testaments to the fact that we can achieve our dreams when we pursue them passionately.

How do you like spending your time outside of everything related to modeling drug resistance?
Outside of my PhD life, I enjoy singing. I am a member of different church choirs in and outside Uganda. So this takes on quite a lot of my free time. I have recently developed a love for working out in the gym. This helps me keep fit in body, mind, and soul. I also have a deep love for public speaking, which includes things like MC-ing at gatherings, both corporate and fun events.

What is your favorite quote?
My favourite quote currently is by Charlie Kirk, which says, “The only time speed is important is when you are on the right path”. To me, this quote reminds me to take on my steps one at a time, not compare my achievements to others. This breeds jealousy and might lead me into hurrying and speeding in the wrong direction. It reminds me to do the right thing and do it well because every step, even the painful ones, is very important.

What are your words of encouragement for a young African girl who is interested in modeling drug resistance?
Be on guard; do not let negative energy and bias from society hinder your next steps. Does your heart tell you to apply for that next opportunity in STEM? Go for it. Whether it works out or not, the fact that you tried only shows how brave you are. I have been a victim of many failed applications. At some point, I felt like giving up! I asked myself, “What if it doesn’t work out?” However, the right question is always, what if it works out?

Do not be afraid to ask for help, talk to people who have been in the paths you want to take. 

Think about the joy and what the opportunity means to you personally. Just don’t stop. Keep on moving. You got this.

Thank you so much, Specy, for sharing your journey with the world. And, thank you for teaching us about drug resistance and part of the mathematics around it. We wish you the very best with your PhD and look forward to reading more about your work.