Prof Katharina Kranzer was recently appointed as Chair of the Conference Scientific Committee, which develops the scientific programme of The Union World Conference on Lung Health.
Katharina is a clinical microbiologist and epidemiologist. Currently based in Zimbabwe, a high TB/HIV and MDR-TB burden country, Katharina leads several TB focused studies on diagnostics, transmission, comorbidities, rehabilitation and social protection. She has a keen interest in capacity building both with regards to laboratory and research capacity.
Katharina leads two large fellowship programs across six African countries funded by the Wellcome Trust and EDCTP focused on PhDs and postdocs. From 2015-2018, she directed the National and Supranational TB Reference Laboratory (SRL) in Germany. In her capacity as SRL Director she supported training, quality control and drug resistance surveys in several Central Asian and African countries.
As part of our celebration of International Women’s Day, we learn more about Katharina, what inspired her to become an epidemiologist and her new role as Conference Scientific Committee Chair – in her own words.
Why did you want to become the Chair of the Conference Scientific Committee?
The Union World Conference on Lung Health is unique, as it doesn’t only bring together researchers across a wide spectrum of methodology (e.g. basic science, immunology, vaccinology, microbiology, epidemiology, social science, health economics and mathematical modelling), but also health professionals providing care (doctors and nurses), affected community, programmers and policy makers. Thus, the conference is a platform for sharing exciting science, community engagement and lessons learned from programmes. The Union Conference is also an opportunity for networking, discussions and dialogue.
From 2017-2019, I served as a scientific officer on the Conference Scientific Committee. I have always hugely enjoyed the Union Conference as a delegate – the very first time I attended was in 2008.
Because I value the Union Conference as a special place and experience, I wanted to continue to contribute in a meaningful way. This is why I applied to become the Chair of the Conference Scientific Committee and I am humbled that I was given the opportunity.
What inspired you to become a clinical microbiologist and epidemiologist?
I studied medicine because I wanted to become a physician. I ventured into microbiology because of the colours and shapes. Bacteria display lots of different colours depended on the agar they grown on and the stains used.
I really love numbers (and mathematics) and what you can do with them, which is why I studied epidemiology.
Why are you passionate about educating others?
It makes me happy to see people grow and develop professionally regardless of their profession (academics, administrator, finance officers, data managers). By investing and facilitating professional development of students and staff we multiply our impact. In the long run the time we invest in other people is far more impactful than using the time for our own work.
What would you say to encourage the next generation of lung health experts?
Air pollution, climate change and extreme poverty are already affecting lung health, but their impact will be much more pronounced in the near future. These problems can only be addressed collaboratively. Hence it is really important to work together in true equitable partnerships and combat misinformation. High quality science and research is a team effort. Thus, I would encourage the next generation of lung health experts to seek collaborations early on, create effective networks across a variety of methods and disciplines and be kind to each other at a time when science and health may not be on top of everybody’s agenda.