Hyacintha was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and has spent the past six years in the United States. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry (Pre-Health Double Major) from Auburn University at Montgomery, where she conducted research under Dr. Greg Ciesielski, focusing on mitochondrial function and the factors influencing the maintenance of mitochondrial genomes.

She later joined Dr. Jonathan Herman at the Ragon Institute in Boston, where her work on malaria vaccine design deepened her passion for infectious disease research. Hyacintha has since continued this work alongside Dr. Herman at UCLA, further advancing her interest in translational research aimed at improving global health outcomes, particularly in regions affected by malaria, a disease she witnessed firsthand growing up in a malaria-endemic country.

Outside the lab, she enjoys playing tennis and listening to music.

Contact: hbisimwa@mednet.ucla.edu