HPTN 071 Phylogenetics Study

The Phylogenetic study is an ancillary study of the main HPTN 071 (PopART) trial that aims to examine patterns of HIV transmission in a population level and identify factors associated with HIV transmission in selected HPTN 071 trial communities. This study will provide key insights into the source of additional infections within selected communities and will help guide future studies and public health prevention programs that build on the results of HPTN 071 trial to optimize community-based approaches for HIV prevention.

This study will use novel approaches to understand the impact of the HPTN 071 interventions on HIV transmission, to understand why these interventions do not prevent all new HIV infections, and to identify key factors that fuel on-going HIV transmission.

Mohammed Limbada is the study manager for the Phylogenetic Study under the HPTN 071/PopART study. He is also involved in PopART’s Intervention and Population Cohort aspects.


Dr. Mohammed Limbanda

Dr. Mohammed Limbada developed an interest for HIV and AIDS during his rural posting at Monze Mission Hospital in southern Zambia, and was one of the first provincial trainers for HIV in the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV.

Before joining Zambart in August 2014, Dr Limbada worked for the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), where he had a wide range of responsibilities within the HIV program, from direct clinical care to the training and mentorship of other health care providers to ensure HIV quality care services. He serves on the Ministry of Health HIV technical committees and through which he helped shape national policies around HIV prevention, care and treatment. He also served as the head of the Lusaka Adult HIV program and worked in close collaboration with Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in ensuring the HIV programs achieved their targets and quality of care.

Dr Limbada holds a Master’s degree in Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) under scholarship from the Vanderbilt-AIDS International Training and Research Program (AITRP).