SPOTLIGHT on Samuel Kizito
The Midwest D-CFAR community is full of brilliant and inspiring people, and we want to introduce them to the world! For our February 2025 spotlight, we are featuring Samuel Kizito, MD, PhD, research assistant professor at the WashU Brown School, and co-investigator with our Developmental Core. Many thanks to Dr. Kizito for taking the time to speak with us!
Samuel Kizito, MD, PhD
Could you briefly describe your career journey and research interests?
Dr. Kizito: I am a physician-epidemiologist interested in developing intervention to improve treatment outcomes for youths with HIV and its complications, especially tuberculosis, cancer, and mental health. I am also a biostatistician and research methodologist interested in applying advanced statistical models in testing intervention effects. My career began as a physician at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Uganda, where I witnessed the devastating impact of HIV, particularly among adolescents. This experience inspired my research focus on improving HIV prevention, care, and treatment outcomes for adolescents in low-resource settings.
What projects do you currently have ongoing?
One notable project I’m working on is a pilot study that was funded by the WashU Here and Next Global Incubator Seed Grant. I am developing a machine learning model to identify adolescent girls and young women in Uganda who are at elevated risk for HIV but are unlikely to initiate HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP empowers individuals to take control over their risk of acquiring HIV independently of their sexual partners’ actions, but only about 25% of eligible girls and young women use it. If our model is found to be accurate, it can guide clinicians on who might need enhanced support, thus providing an opportunity for early and targeted intervention.
Also, through funding from the Midwest D-CFAR investigator pilot award, I am leading a study with colleagues from WashU (Josephine Nabayinda) and University of Sierra Leone (Mamadu Baldeh). In that study, we are examining the drivers of the high burden of tuberculosis in youth with HIV in Sierra Leone, with the goal of developing targeted interventions. I am particularly excited about advancing my work, with plans of developing digital interventions to enhance HIV treatment adherence.
What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my family, painting, and playing chess and tennis. These activities help me recharge and maintain a balanced perspective, which is essential for both my personal well-being and professional growth.
Edited by April Houston.