Aspro Bhavnaben Gordhan

Bhavnaben Gordhan is an infectious diseases researcher whose work centers on tuberculosis and emerging respiratory pathogens. Affiliated with leading South African research institutions, her scholarship advances understanding of Mycobacterium tuberculosis persistence, host–pathogen interactions, and diagnostic innovation. She collaborates widely in translational programs addressing TB control and pandemic preparedness.

A defining theme of her research is the study of differentially culturable tubercle bacteria as markers of treatment response and relapse risk. Her work demonstrates how these drug-tolerant populations influence culture-based diagnostics, mixed infection detection, and therapeutic evaluation. She has also examined genotype-specific adaptation in TB strains, highlighting implications for disease progression and treatment outcomes.

Beyond TB, Gordhan has contributed to SARS-CoV-2 immunology and diagnostic assay development, including SNP-targeted qPCR tools and mucosal immune profiling. Her studies on ex vivo tissue models and nanoparticle-based drug delivery reflect strengths in experimental model development and translational application, reinforcing her impact on infectious disease research and public health innovation.