A deadly fungal infection is claiming more lives in sub-Saharan Africa than tuberculosis among people living with HIV, yet few outside the continent even know its name. Cryptococcal meningitis is a silent killer, but Dr Rachael Dangarembizi is making sure it doesn’t stay that way.

As a neuroscientist, a rising star in African biomedical research, and now the winner of the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher, she’s leading the fight against this overlooked epidemic.

“My research is focused on studying the causes of brain injury in cryptococcal meningitis,” she explains. “It’s a neglected but deadly fungal infection that’s extremely difficult to treat and is a leading cause of death for people living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.”

Her passion is both personal and professional. “Growing up in Southern Africa, I witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of HIV-associated infections. We lost family and friends. I believe in the power and potential of science to generate solutions and have dedicated my career to tackling one of the biggest challenges that Africa has and continues to grapple with today.”

This commitment led her to establish the first laboratory in Africa dedicated to studying brain injury caused by cryptococcal meningitis — a significant milestone, especially considering she had to travel to Europe for such work during her PhD. “Five years after finishing my doctorate, I’ve set up a lab where we can now train and mentor young African scientists to do globally competitive science. That’s what keeps me going.”

But the road has not been easy.

“Conducting biomedical research in Africa presents daily challenges, from limited funding to underdeveloped infrastructure. Research on cryptococcal infections has long been neglected,” she says. “These constraints have forced me to be resilient and resourceful. They’ve taught me that scientific progress is rarely linear.”

Her team’s work doesn’t stay in the lab. It directly influences the shaping of health policy and treatment protocols across the continent.

“We’re generating powerful datasets to guide diagnosis, treatment and policy,” she explains. “Our ultimate aim is to develop more affordable and accessible therapies for the communities we serve.”

For Dangarembizi, professional success is defined by impact: “It’s not about papers or awards. It’s about building sustainable research capacity, especially for women and historically excluded groups. I’ll know I’ve succeeded when there’s an army of African scientists leading labs across the continent.”

She’s also excited by the emergence of advanced technologies in African labs. “Tools like spatial transcriptomics, advanced imaging, and artificial intelligence are finally becoming accessible here. Future solutions to some of our greatest challenges will come from places that have long been overlooked. With the right support, we can solve health challenges faster and more effectively than ever before.”

She says rewards like the NSTF-South32 Awards don’t just recognise individuals, but raise the visibility of African science. “They remind us that science is a collective, transformative force.”

Her advice to young researchers: “Ask questions that matter. Don’t wait for perfect conditions — they never come. Build networks. You can’t do this alone.”

Read the special Mail & Guardian supplement about all the NSTF-South32 Award winners.