Yashini Govender, PhD, joined the HMS Therapeutics Initiative as a Project Manager in December 2024. She previously worked as a Scientist at Biomodels, a preclinical contract research organization (CRO), managing projects that evaluated new therapies for inflammatory, pulmonary, and fibrotic diseases using murine models. Her postdoctoral research at Brigham and Women’s Hospital focused on host immunity and vaginal microbiota interactions related to susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections. Before that, she conducted HIV immunology research at the National Institute of Communicable Diseases in Johannesburg, South Africa, identifying biomarkers associated with HIV-1 control. She earned her PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, where she studied the effects of hormonal contraceptives on cervical inflammation. At HMS, Dr. Govender applies her experience in research and industry to support drug discovery efforts through the Therapeutics Initiative.