Dr. Jinal Bhiman

Jinal Bhiman is a South African immunologist and virologist recognized for work on viral evolution, antibody immunity, and vaccine responses, particularly in the context of SARS-CoV-2 and HIV. Affiliated with leading research institutions in South Africa, her scholarship bridges basic immunology and public health, contributing to global understanding of variant emergence and immune escape.

Her publications highlight population-level shifts in humoral immunity during successive SARS-CoV-2 waves, mechanisms of cross-neutralization, and Fc-mediated antibody functions. She has examined immune responses in people living with HIV, demonstrating how advanced immunosuppression can drive rapid intra-host viral evolution and potentially seed new variants.

Bhiman has also advanced global viral surveillance through collaborative work on standardized antigenicity assessments and unified phylogenetic classification of respiratory syncytial virus. Her research strengths lie in translational immunology, genomic epidemiology, and vaccine strategy evaluation, informing booster design and preparedness against emerging respiratory pathogens.