Dr. Evelyn Lumngwena

Evelyn Lumngwena is a cardiovascular and infectious disease researcher whose work bridges clinical cardiology, immunology, and public health in sub-Saharan Africa. Affiliated with leading academic institutions in South Africa, her research integrates cardiovascular imaging, computational modelling, and multiomics approaches to investigate rheumatic heart disease and degenerative valvular disorders. Her scholarship reflects a strong commitment to addressing diseases that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income settings.

Her publications highlight expertise in multiparametric cardiovascular imaging, metabolomics, proteomics, and systems biology. Notable contributions include investigations into molecular and epigenetic mechanisms in valvular heart disease, trained immunity following BCG vaccination, and the role of the oral microbiome in cardiovascular pathology. She has also advanced computational modelling of myocardial mechanics, offering insights into structural and functional alterations in rheumatic heart disease.

In parallel, her public health research examines vaccine hesitancy, quarantine acceptability, HIV comorbidity in rheumatic heart disease, and clinical predictors of COVID-19 mortality in resource-limited settings. This interdisciplinary portfolio underscores strengths in translational research, evidence synthesis, and health systems–relevant inquiry, contributing to improved risk stratification, prevention strategies, and policy development across infectious and cardiovascular diseases.