Alash’le Abimiku, PhD, Contributes to International Study Advancing Understanding of COVID-19 Immune Responses

The Institute of Human Virology (IHV) proudly recognizes Alash'le Abimiku, PhD, Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Director of Laboratory Services and Research at Ciheb Global, for her contribution to newly announced research conducted in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Cambridge through her work with the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN). 

The study, "SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Infection Reveals Imprinted Antibody Responses in the Absence of Vaccination," was led by researchers from the University of Cambridge's Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease (CITIID) in collaboration with investigators from IHVN and institutions across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Singapore, South Africa, Hong Kong, and the United States. 

Published in June 2026, the research provides important new insight into how the body's immune system responds to SARS-CoV-2 following natural infection in populations with limited access to early COVID-19 vaccination. 

Using samples collected from two independent cohorts in Nigeria, investigators found that people who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine developed durable immune responses that remained strongly influenced by exposure to the original Wuhan strain of the virus—even after subsequent infection with the Omicron variant. The findings help explain how "immune imprinting," in which the immune system preferentially recalls responses to its first encounter with a virus, may influence protection against emerging variants and could help guide the design of future vaccines. 

Dr. Alash’le Abimiku served as an author on the publication and played a critical leadership role in the study's design, supervision, field implementation, data analysis, and scientific oversight. “Scientific progress depends on strong international partnerships," said Dr. Abimiku. "It was a privilege to contribute to this collaborative effort, which demonstrates how institutions across continents can work together to address global health challenges." 

The study highlights the growing importance of global research collaborations in addressing emerging infectious diseases. By examining immune responses in African populations that experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection before widespread vaccination, the investigators generated evidence that complements studies conducted in Europe, North America, and Asia while filling a critical gap in global understanding of COVID-19 immunity. 

The research also reflects the strength of IHVN's clinical research infrastructure and longstanding partnerships that enabled investigators to recruit participants and conduct sophisticated immunologic analyses in Nigeria and in the Cambridge lab. Through its multidisciplinary approach, IHV bridges laboratory discovery, clinical research, and patient care to accelerate the translation of scientific advances into improved health outcomes for communities in Baltimore and around the world. 

This latest publication demonstrates how the enduring partnership among IHV, Ciheb Global, IHVN, and leading academic institutions continues to generate knowledge that informs global health policy, advances vaccine science, and improves preparedness for future infectious disease threats.