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Jessica Prodger is an Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair in Genital Immunology and STI Prevention at the University of Western Ontario. Her research focuses on understanding HIV transmission mechanisms in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly investigating the role of genital microbiota and immune responses in mucosal HIV susceptibility. She holds a PhD and MSc from the University of Toronto and completed postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the NIH.
Her work spans multiple disciplines including global health, immunology, and microbiology. Key areas include developing interventions to reduce HIV transmission through targeting penile microbiota, studying latent HIV reservoirs in virally suppressed individuals, and evaluating healthcare access barriers for transgender populations in Africa. Her lab is located in the Dental Sciences Building at Western University.
Prodger has published extensively on HIV pathogenesis, genital immunology, and public health strategies. Recent research highlights include identifying anaerobic bacteria's role in HIV risk, exploring the impact of circumcision on penile microbiota, and investigating gender-affirming care effects on genital microbiomes. Awards include the prestigious Canada Research Chair designation.
Her current projects include clinical trials of antimicrobial interventions for HIV prevention, studies on viral reservoir dynamics, and translational research applying imaging techniques to mucosal tissues. She collaborates with institutions in Uganda, the U.S., and Canada, addressing both basic science and applied public health challenges in infectious disease prevention.
