Graduation and Wedding Bells for HIV Researcher

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Dr Shreyal Maikoo (28) is thrilled after graduating with a PhD from the HIV Pathogenesis Programme (HPP), with more joy in store as she and Mr Preveshen Naidoo, are soon to wed.

Maikoo’s PhD contributed to the novel development of more effective HIV cure strategies by addressing the virus’s under-researched “subtype C”, which dominates infections in Southern Africa. 

Supervised by HPP faculty member and senior lecturer Dr Paradise Madlala, Maikoo developed a novel HIV-1 subtype C latency model to study distinct reactivation patterns compared to subtype B. ‘Prior to this, there was no subtype C-specific latency models, yet HIV-1 subtype C is responsible for approximately 50 percent of global infections and 98 percent of infections in southern Africa,’ said Maikoo, whose passion for research began with a Bachelor of Medical Science Honours cum laude in 2017. ‘This work advances personalised HIV treatments and encourages broader research on all HIV subtypes, with the potential to improve global public health outcomes.’ 

Maikoo entered the field of research driven by a passion to address significant global health challenges, particularly the need for more equitable solutions in HIV treatment and cure strategies. The underrepresentation of HIV-1 subtype C, despite its prevalence in regions like southern Africa, motivated her to contribute to closing this research gap. This work aligns with her desire to make a meaningful impact on public health and improve outcomes for those disproportionately affected by HIV. 

Maikoo said she had always been fascinated by science and how it could be used to help people from a young age. ‘My passion for making a difference in people’s lives through medicine and research has driven me throughout my academic journey. That childhood dream of contributing to health and well-being through science eventually evolved into a deep commitment to HIV research, where I hope to make a meaningful impact,’ she said. 

‘I am extremely proud of this accomplishment! Graduating with a PhD after a decade of dedicated study is deeply fulfilling. It represents not just the culmination of years of hard work but also a journey of personal and intellectual growth…I feel a strong sense of gratitude for the support I’ve received along the way. This is also a reminder of the impact that perseverance and passion can have in science. I’m excited to have contributed to knowledge in my field and to be part of a community pushing the boundaries of what we know,’ she said. 

Maikoo said she was deeply grateful to her parents for their unwavering support and sacrifices. They often drove her between Durban and Pietermaritzburg to conduct her laboratory-based research. ‘They made this journey possible, and I owe my success to them more than words can express.’ 

Maikoo’s goal remains to continue making a meaningful difference in the world through science - ‘whether it’s through research, mentoring the next generation of scientists, or applying what I’ve learned to solve real-world problems, I am committed to contributing to the advancement of knowledge and technology. I believe that science has the power to improve lives, and I’m eager to be part of that change,’ she said. 

Her motto is: ‘Persevere through challenges, because every step forward brings you closer to making a difference.’ 

Her hobbies include cooking, embarking on adventures and spending time with animals. 

Words: Lunga Memela

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini