Francesca Miranda Conradie
Principle Investigator in Drug Resistant TB
MBBCH, DTM&H, Diploma (Epidemiology), Dip. HIV Man (SA)
The WHO has drafted an ambitious goal of eradicating TB by 2030 and I want to be part of research agenda that achieves this. Rifampicin Resistant TB (RR TB), in all of its forms from rifampicin mono-resistant TB to Extensively Drug Resistant TB (XDR TB) is one of barriers to achieving this goal. There have been a number of breakthroughs in the treatment of these difficult to treat forms of TB. I have been involved some of the advances in this area including being involved bedaquiline trial and the subsequent incorporation of this drug into the South Africa National Program. I was the principal investigator for the TB Alliance trial NIX that led to the registration by the FDA of BPaL for XDR TB. I am also the holder of USAID Grant BEAT Tuberculosis investigating a short all oral regimen for RR TB.
I lead community engagement for the STREAM trial in Africa and I worked with the sites in Ethiopia and Uganda. I am also Technical Specialist - Clinical Research Advisor The Union Against TB and Lung Disease, North America. With this, I have conducted training in the Philippines in Drug Resistant TB.