I am Fahim Yiga, a biomedical researcher, genomics laboratory technologist, and bioinformatician at the Uganda Virus Research Institute. I hold a Master of Science in Bioinformatics from Makerere University, where my research focused on developing a deep learning model for the interpretation of peripheral blood smear images to detect sickle cell disease. My work integrates wet-lab genomics and computational biology. I have contributed to multiple genomics projects spanning pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, HIV, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and other clinically relevant organisms, supporting both laboratory workflows and downstream data analysis. I am particularly interested in viral genomics, host–pathogen interactions, and the application of machine learning to biomedical data. Through my work, I have developed strong skills in programming (R, Python, and Bash), genomic data analysis, and translating complex
datasets into actionable insights for research and public health. Looking ahead, I aim to further bridge artificial intelligence and genomics to strengthen disease surveillance and precision health in Africa. I am passionate about contributing to innovative, data-driven solutions that address emerging and endemic health challenges across the continent.