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In the field of infectious disease research where every breakthrough can save lives, a young researcher is making remarkable strides. Dr Kabo Baruti, an accomplished scholar affiliated with the University of Botswana (UB) and the Botswana Harvard Health Partnership (BHP), is gaining recognition for his contributions to public health through cutting-edge studies on viral hepatitis and infectious diseases.

Dr Baruti’s journey has been marked by resilience, hard work and a passion for making a difference. Winning the Early Career Researcher Award at the 2023 Botswana National Research Excellence Awards stands out as one of his most significant achievements.

“This award means a lot to me because it recognises the hard work I did behind the scenes,” he shares. Competing against several nominees, many with more advanced qualifications, his win underlines the exceptional quality and relevance of his work which has opened doors to mentorship and collaboration with leading researchers.

His interest in infectious diseases began during his MSc studies at UB where a meeting with hepatitis researchers from BHP ignited his curiosity. Inspired by the presentations of renowned scientists, he was driven to join the fight against viral hepatitis.

“I became motivated to conduct research, provide feedback to the Ministry of Health and educate the public about hepatitis,” he explains. This passion continues to fuel his work particularly his efforts to eliminate Hepatitis B virus (HBV) as a public health concern by 2030.

Dr Baruti has not only demonstrated academic excellence but also proven his ability to secure research funding. He was awarded a grant from UB’s Office of Research and Development to support his Master’s project and has contributed as a co-investigator in securing major grants from the Wellcome Trust, National Institutes of Health and Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology.

Among his numerous publications, his first journal article holds a special place. The study focused on Hepatitis B prevalence and vaccine response among HIV-exposed but uninfected infants in Botswana, revealing no breakthrough HBV infections and a high vaccine response rate. The finding was a significant contribution to public health, demonstrating the efficacy of the HBV vaccine used in Botswana.

Despite his successes, Dr Baruti has faced his share of challenges. Financial constraints once forced him to defer his MSc enrollment but with his mother’s support and funding from BHP, he persevered. Moments such as winning the Early Career Researcher Award have been especially rewarding, validating his dedication and pushing him to achieve even greater milestones including completing his PhD in just two years.

Dr Baruti sees his research as a critical tool for public health. By addressing relevant questions and presenting findings to the Ministry of Health, he aims to influence policy formulation. His studies are published in high-impact, open-access journals, ensuring that his work reaches not only other researchers but also the broader public.

As he looks to the future, Dr Baruti aspires to secure early-career research grants and tackle unanswered questions in HBV and hepatitis delta virus research. He also hopes to mentor emerging researchers, leveraging the support of his own mentors to guide the next generation.

To those aspiring to follow in his footsteps, he advises: “Choose a study area you are passionate about to stay motivated through challenges. Reach out to established researchers for guidance before embarking on graduate programs.”