Ivan Sserwadda is a PhD researcher whose work bridges cutting-edge microbial genomics and infectious disease diagnostics, with a focus on Tuberculosis (TB). Based at Makerere University, University of Amsterdam (UMC) and Amsterdam Institute of Global Health and Development (AIGHD), his study investigates how the respiratory microbiome influences TB diagnosis and disease progression. By employing shotgun metagenomic sequencing, Ivan is identifying clinically significant microbial co-infections in presumptive TB patients offering a more complete picture of respiratory infections in high-burden settings. His research also explores how these microbial patterns relate to patient symptoms, socio-demographic factors, and the accuracy of innovative tools like cough audio classifiers. Ultimately, his work aims to advance TB diagnostics and illuminate the hidden microbial dynamics that may shape its clinical course and public health outcomes.