Ragon Institute About Ragon International
Ragon International advances the Ragon Institute’s mission to harness the immune system to prevent and cure human disease by combining cutting-edge research with community-driven solutions. Our international work in global infectious disease and immunology began with a focus on HIV, both in the United States and in South Africa. Since the early 2000s, the Ragon has developed partnerships and programs centered in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province to advance science and inform the development of solutions for HIV, TB, challenges to reproductive health, and emerging diseases such as COVID-19. Through these collaborations, we also aim to support the next cohort of scientists on the continent.
From the beginning, our fundamental scientific research programs were coupled with initiatives that responded to the immediate needs of study participants and their families. We conduct patient-centered research where the need and potential for impact is greatest and our early findings informed national HIV treatment guidelines in South Africa. By working closely with local healthcare providers, community members, and key stakeholders, these programs deliver comprehensive health services, education, and training while advancing cutting-edge research — combining basic science with social good.
Ragon International is divided into three key segments: Research, Capacity-Building, and Collaboration. These segments work together to deliver comprehensive healthcare, education, and research opportunities, advancing our global mission.
Research, Capacity-Building, and Collaboration
Research
Capacity-Building
Collaboration
Research
Our research efforts span three areas, each dedicated to advancing our understanding of disease and developing new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat illnesses.
FRESH – Clinical Research
The FRESH program focuses on young women at high risk for HIV in South Africa’s Umlazi Township. Participants receive life and job skills training while contributing data to a longitudinal study on immune responses to HIV.
ITEACH – Social Research
ITEACH improves HIV and TB care through training healthcare workers and collaborating with community stakeholders, such as traditional Zulu healers, to enhance prevention and treatment services.
HIV Pathogenesis Programme (HPP) – Basic Science
The HIV Pathogenesis Programme (HPP) conducts cutting-edge basic science research into HIV and tuberculosis at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with a focus on understanding the mechanisms of disease and developing targeted therapies.
Capacity-Building
The Connect Africa Scholarship supports the next generation of African scientists by providing travel and skills-building opportunities. This program empowers early-career researchers to advance their expertise and contribute to global health solutions, fostering sustainable scientific leadership in under-resourced areas.
Collaboration
Ragon International is committed to building strong international partnerships that foster collaboration and knowledge exchange. By working with key institutions like the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) and other global partners, we aim to strengthen research infrastructure and drive progress in global health.
Ragon Impact
Transforming HIV Care for Women
Through the FRESH program, the Ragon Institute has made a significant impact on the young women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, while providing job skills and empowerment training. Over 80% of participants secure employment, internships, or further education within a year of completing the program.
Improving Maternal and Neonatal Health
In 2022, FRESH expanded to study preterm birth under its Baby U program, the leading cause of neonatal death globally. By focusing on pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, where preterm birth rates are highest, the program aims to develop strategies to reduce the global burden of adverse reproductive outcomes.
Enhancing Global Health Research Infrastructure
The Ragon Institute has assisted in developing advanced research platforms in KwaZulu-Natal, including clinical, basic science, and social-behavioral research facilities. These platforms enable cutting-edge studies on diseases like HIV and tuberculosis, fostering rapid scientific progress in global health.
Ragon International News
Groundbreaking Study on Lymph Node Excision Advances HIV Cure Research
Aug 28, 2024 Features
Researchers at the Ndhlovu Lab, part of the Ragon Institute and the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), have completed a significant study on the safety and practicality of lymph node excisions for HIV cure research in South Africa. The study — led by Ragon faculty member Zaza Ndhlovu, PhD, and published in Frontiers in Immunology — provides […]
MIT NEWS – Empowering the next generation of scientists in Africa
Aug 6, 2024 Features
The Future African Scientist organization was sparked by a connection between two students from different walks of life during an MIT program in South Africa. Read the full MIT News Article here.
Ndhlovu Lab Postdoc Wins Prestigious IAS/ANRS Lange/van Tongeren Prize for Young Investigators
Jul 30, 2024 Features
Moodley with Ndhlovu at the award ceremony The Ragon Institute is proud to recognize Merantha Moodley, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Ragon faculty Zaza Ndhlovu, PhD, who has been selected as one of six recipients of the IAS/ANRS Lange/van Tongeren Prize for Young Investigators. Her exceptional work on the abstract titled “Spatial […]
“Future African Scientist” — The Unlikely Friendship Teaching the Next Generation of African Researchers
Jul 23, 2024 Features
In January 2020, two students from across the world met on the “Evolution of an Epidemic” course. Their friendship inspired the creation of a program they hope will benefit African science for years to come. Martin Lubowa was a high school student at the prestigious African Leadership Academy (ALA) when he got an opportunity–the chance […]
Support Our Vital Research
As a non-profit institution, the Ragon relies on the generosity of our benefactors to advance our world-changing research. Whether giving to labs at the Ragon, outreach programs in the Boston area, or research programs in South Africa, one of the greatest catalysts in going from novel ideas to treatments and cures is flexible philanthropic support from donors — and your gift could make all the difference.
More from Ragon
Education & Outreach
The Office of Education and Outreach supports the Institute’s mission and its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by offering programs such as RISE and PRISM to students from the Greater Boston community — setting a foundation for the next generation of researchers.
Our Research
By leveraging cross-disciplinary knowledge, we recognize that significant progress arises from the collective effort of various scientific fields. Through fostering a collaborative and research-intensive environment, we aim to achieve transformative outcomes in global health, pushing the boundaries of science to find cures and improve lives — embodying our commitment to collaboration, research, and curing diseases.