Breaking Barriers in HIV Research Earns Dr Tamlyn Seunanden a PhD in Public Health

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal celebrated the graduation of Dr Tamlyn Carmin Seunanden, who received her PhD in Public Health at the Institution’s Spring Graduation ceremonies.

Affectionately known as ‘Tam’, Seunanden is a South African researcher of Indian descent whose life and work are deeply rooted in her family’s legacy of perseverance, education, and social justice. Her great-grandparents were among the earliest indentured labourers to arrive in South Africa, and her family later thrived as farmers, educators and taxi drivers who actively fought for human rights during apartheid.

“I am passionate about improving the lives of adolescents and children living with HIV,” she said. “This work echoes the courageous spirit of my ancestors and reflects the values instilled in me by my parents, who taught me that with determination, faith, and integrity, anything is possible.”

Seunanden grew up in Port Shepstone, where she attended Jai Hind School - founded by her late great-grandfather, Mr Jacob John - before completing her high school education at Port Shepstone Secondary. In 2005, she began her studies at UKZN, completing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Genetics, followed by an Honours and Master’s degrees in Psychology. After nearly two decades of professional experience in HIV and health systems research, she returned to UKZN in 2022 to pursue her PhD in the Discipline of Public Health Medicine.

“When I was just seven years old, my father, Mr Jerry Seunanden, suffered a serious motor vehicle accident. What followed was an extraordinary display of human resilience. I watched his determination to heal, teach himself how to walk again, and become ambidextrous to complete daily tasks. I was in awe of his unwavering commitment and consistency, and grateful to support him through his journey,” said Seunanden.

“Equally inspiring was watching my mother, Mrs Valerie John, return to education later in life. Having never completed school in her youth, she courageously returned to matriculate and successfully obtained a bursary. In her 50s, she earned a Bachelor of Education degree. It was an extraordinary experience to witness her levels of discipline in her studies. I was happy to help her adjust to being a university student,” she commented.

“These profound early experiences, combined with years of dedicated experience in research, now drive my efforts and contributions to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people living with health conditions facing psycho-social and emotional challenges,” said Seunanden.

Her doctoral research formed part of the BREATHER Plus trial, a multinational study investigating innovative HIV treatment approaches for adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. Using qualitative methods, she examined how young people living with HIV (YPLHIV) navigate the dual challenge of adhering to lifelong treatment while managing stigma.

Her findings revealed that YPLHIV often rely on ‘secrecy networks’ and carefully controlled disclosure to protect themselves from discrimination. While these strategies help them preserve social belonging, they also impose a heavy psychological toll. Importantly, her work introduced the concept of ‘stigma marking’ into stigma theory, offering fresh insights into how young people negotiate their social identities while safeguarding their health.

“By privileging the voices of young people, caregivers, and health professionals, this study provides evidence-based recommendations for youth-friendly, non-judgemental environments where stigma management becomes less necessary,” she explained. “This could transform treatment outcomes for the more than 300 000 young people living with HIV across sub-Saharan Africa.”

Seunanden has extensive experience as a researcher and project manager, having worked on HIV, tuberculosis, and chronic illness studies in South Africa and internationally. She was supervised by Dr Nothando Ngwenya and Professor Janet Seeley, and collaborated with regional and global scientists as part of the BREATHER Plus consortium.

Looking ahead, she plans to continue contributing to transdisciplinary research, combining her academic expertise with project management skills to foster innovation, mentor young researchers, and deliver solutions that improve public health.

Beyond her research, Seunanden enjoys gardening, hiking, running, and writing.

Words: MaryAnn Francis

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini