Dr. Nakalega is a physician and researcher with a strong focus on infectious disease research and the integration of non-communicable disease (NCD) care within HIV management. She is currently a Co-Principal Investigator at MU-JHU Research Collaboration/MU-JHU CARE LTD, working on an ACTG study on novel regimens for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Dr. Nakalega also participates in the HPTN Scholars Program, conducting secondary data analysis on the non-disclosure of HIV status to healthcare workers. Additionally, she is a Co-Principal Investigator on the HPTN 111 study, which evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of a barbershop-based HIV prevention initiative targeting heterosexual men in Uganda. Her extensive experience in HIV prevention research includes participation in the MTN 034, INSIGHT study, MTN 025/HOPE, MTN 041, and Fogarty-NIH studies.

Dr. Nakalega has served as Principal Investigator on several NIH-funded grants, including the NIH R03 Grant (R03HD106185), aimed at enhancing the uptake of malaria preventive therapy among women in Uganda, and the Fogarty-NIH funded grant #D43TW009340, which evaluated the role of peers in increasing HIV prevention service uptake among adolescents. She has also received funding from the Building Implementation Science Capacity to Strengthen the Response to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Uganda Program (Grant No. 1D43TW010037), supporting research on integrating diabetes management into HIV care. Beyond her research, Dr. Nakalega is committed to providing peer mentorship to early career investigators, helping to foster their professional development in global health research.