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Dr. Jennifer Brown

Department of Clinical Research
Profiles & Affiliations

Jennifer Brown is a postdoctoral scientist conducting clinical, epidemiological, and implementation research aimed at informing HIV management in Southern and East Africa. Key interests include paediatric HIV, viral drug resistance, implementation of genotypic resistance testing, treatment outcome monitoring strategies, decentralisation of service delivery, and the rollout of new antiretrovirals (notably dolutegravir).

Selected Publications

Brown, J. A., Lewis, L., Sookrajh, Y., Hobe, L., Ngwenya, T., van der Molen, J., Asare, K., Tlhaku, K., Khanyile, M., Khubone, T., Bottomley, C., Garrett, N., & Dorward, J. (2025). Uptake and 24-month outcomes of dolutegravir- versus lopinavir-based second-line antiretroviral therapy for people with HIV in South Africa: a retrospective cohort study and emulated target trial [Posted-content]. F1000 Research Ltd. https://doi.org/10.12688/verixiv.686.1

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Tschumi, Nadine, Lukau, Blaise, Tlali, Katleho, Motaboli, Lipontso, Kao, Mpho, Kopo, Mathebe, Hänggi, Kathrin, Mokebe, Moleboheng, Naegele, Klaudia, Ayakaka, Irene, Leuzinger, Karoline, Brown, Jennifer A, & Labhardt, Niklaus D. (2024). Emergence of Acquired Dolutegravir Resistance in Treatment-experienced People With HIV in Lesotho [Journal-article]. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 79(5), 1208–1222. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciae185

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Brown, Jennifer Anne, Ringera, Isaac Kaumbuthu, Luoga, Ezekiel, Bresser, Moniek, Mothobi, Buoang, Kabundi, Lorraine, Ilunga, Mulume, Mokhele, Kuena, Isaac, Andreas Boy, Tsoaeli, Ntsepiseng, Mbaya, Thomas, Simba, Brenda, Mayogu, Kasasi, Mabula, Elizabeth, Cheleboi, Molisana, Molatelle, Mamello, Kimera, Namvua, Mollel, Getrud Joseph, Sando, David, et al. (2024). Resistance-informed versus empirical management of viraemia in children and adolescents with HIV in Lesotho and Tanzania (GIVE MOVE trial): a multisite, open-label randomised controlled trial [Journal-article]. The Lancet Global Health, 12(8), e1312–e1322. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2214-109x(24)00183-9

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Tschumi N, Lerotholi M, Motaboli L, Mokete M, Labhardt ND, & Brown JA. (2023). Two-Year Outcomes of Treatment-Experienced Adults After Programmatic Transitioning to Dolutegravir: Longitudinal Data From the VICONEL Human Immunodeficiency Virus Cohort in Lesotho. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 77(9), 1318–1321. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciad390

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Brown JA, Hauser A, Abela IA, Pasin C, Epp S, Mohloanyane T, Nsakala BL, Trkola A, Labhardt ND, Kouyos RD, & Günthard HF. (2023). Seroprofiling of Antibodies Against Endemic Human Coronaviruses and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus Cohort in Lesotho: Correlates of Antibody Response and Seropositivity. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 228(8), 1042–1054. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiad197

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Brown, Jennifer A., Nsakala, Bienvenu L., Mokhele, Kuena, Rakuoane, Itumeleng, Muhairwe, Josephine, Urda, Lorena, Amstutz, Alain, Tschumi , Nadine, Klimkait, Thomas, & Labhardt, Niklaus D. (2022). Viral suppression after transition from nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor- to dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy: a prospective cohort study in Lesotho (DO-REAL study). HIV medicine, 23(3), 287–293. https://doi.org/10.1111/hiv.13189

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Selected Projects & Collaborations

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LoDoCA: Tolerability of Ritonavir-Boosted Lopinavir- Vs Dolutegravir-Based Antiretroviral Therapy for Children and Adolescents Living with HIV: an Open-Label Randomised Study in Lesotho, Southern Africa

Research Project  | 16 Project Members

LoDoCA is a prospective cohort study among children and adolescents with HIV in Lesotho, southern Africa who changed from an antiretroviral therapy regimen containing lopinavir to a regimen containing dolutegravir. The study compares treatment satisfaction and previously reported adverse effects of either drug, including neuropsychiatric (sleep, depression) and gastrointestinal outcomes. Sleep is a key focus, as sleep disturbance has previously been reported as an adverse effect of dolutegravir among adults. Thus, sleep is measured by actigraphy (movement-sensing devices worn by participants around their wrist from around bedtime to morning) in addition to questionnaires.

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Hair Salon Project

Research Project  | 17 Project Members

In settings such as Lesotho, where young women face enormous HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges, novel and accessible spaces to complement traditional health facilities are urgently needed. HIV- and pregnancy-related complications are still the leading cause of death among young women in high HIV prevalence settings in Southern Africa. 


Hair salons may offer a safe, accessible, trusted community space to engage young women and address barriers related to HIV/SRH.


In a first step, we concluded an innovative cross-sectional survey – co-designed and conducted in collaboration with citizen scientists – and gathered data among 100 hair stylists and 300 clients across Lesotho. The findings were complemented by qualitative research, narrative storytelling and a video documentary.


In a next step, we are designing and implementing a pilot to evaluate a first HIV/SRH service intervention at a few hair salons in Lesotho.