Malaria in a Changing Climate

Dr. Henriette Balinda is a PhD-trained cancer biologist and translational scientist with expertise in tumor biology, immunotherapy, and the tumor microenvironment. Her research focuses on how cancer cells interact with the immune system and how therapies — including radiation, DNA damage response inhibitors, and immune checkpoint blockade — can be combined to improve treatment outcomes.

She currently serves as a Senior Research Scientist at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, where she leads translational oncology projects and integrates advanced technologies such as flow cytometry, CyTOF, and single-cell RNA sequencing. She is also completing an MPH in Public Health Practice & Administration, deepening her expertise in public health systems, health policy, and community-based strategies.

Her background weaves together laboratory-based biomedical research, translational science, and public-health communication — giving her a rare vantage point on how bench science becomes lived reality for African communities navigating shifting infectious-disease patterns.

Beyond the lab, she has trained and mentored doctoral students, undergraduate researchers, and laboratory staff across multiple institutions, and contributes to scientific communications through Feat Healthcare — developing manuscripts, presentations, and thought leadership content for healthcare professionals and industry stakeholders. She joins AHA as the Featured Speaker for the February 2026 Monthly Speaker Series.