Dr. Helmut Adrian Nyawale
Head of the DepartmentDr. Helmut A Nyawale (MD,Mmed) is a medical doctor who is specialized in clinical microbiology and Immunology. He has been working as a consultant microbiologist and senior lecturer at the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences(CUHAS) and Bugando Medical Centre(BMC). Dr. Nyawale has been researching on antimicrobial resistance and epidemiology of RNA viruses.Dr Nyawale has supervised a number of undergraduates and post graduate students. He is an active Fleming fund alumnus and mentor in ALF-A fellowship programme run by commonwealth pharmaceutical association (CPA). Dr. Nyawale has contributed to and co-authored more than 20 scientific articles in peer reviewed journals
Prof. Stephen E. Mshana
ProfessorStephen E. Mshana is a professor of Clinical Microbiology and Consultant Clinical Microbiologist at the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS), and the Bugando Medical Centre (BMC). He is currently a Deputy Vice Chancellor- Planning, Finance and Administration (DVC-PFA) at CUHAS. He is also a member of National antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Multi-sectoral Coordinating Committee (MCC) and chairperson of Tanzania National Immunization Technical Advisory Group. To date, he has mentored a good number of undergraduate, masters and PhD students in the field of infectious diseases. He has examined a good number of postgraduate students and has served as External examiner in various universities in East Africa.
Prof Martha Fidelis Mushi
Associate ProfessorMartha F. Mushi, is an Associate Professor of Mycology in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and a consultant mycologist at CUHAS and Bugando Medical Centre, earned her PhD in Medical Mycology from CUHAS in collaboration with the Institute of Medical Microbiology in Göttingen, Germany. She is an ambassador for GAFFI and a member of ISHAM and the Pan African Mycology Working Group committed to addressing fungal infections globally. Martha’s work in education, research, and public health, along with her advocacy for fungal infection awareness, prevention, and treatment, underscores her dedication to advancing medical mycology, infectious diseases, and public health.
Ms. Prisca Damiano
StaffMs. Prisca Damiano (Bpharm, MSc) is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. She specializes in infection prevention and control (IPC) measures and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). With extensive experience in developing and implementing IPC programs, Ms. Damiano has significantly contributed to reducing healthcare-associated infections and combating AMR. Her expertise includes conducting surveillance, data collection, and interpretation to enhance quality improvement initiatives. Ms. Damiano is known for her robust application of IPC principles, practical hands-on approach, and ability to translate technical concepts into practical advice for field use. She is dedicated to fostering a safe and infection-free healthcare environment.
Mr. Vitus Silago
Assistant Research FellowMr. Vitus Silago (BMLS; M. Phil.) is a Health Laboratory Scientist currently serving as an Assistant Research Fellow in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. He specializes in the molecular epidemiology of bacterial infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. With extensive experience in analyzing the genetic mechanisms of resistance in bacterial pathogens, Mr. Silago has contributed significantly to the understanding of antibiotic resistance trends. His expertise encompasses laboratory diagnostics, surveillance, and the implementation of advanced molecular techniques. Dedicated to improving public health, he actively engages in research projects that aim to combat the global threat of antimicrobial resistance through innovative and practical solutions.
Prof. Mariam Mwinjuma Mirambo
StaffMariam M. Mirambo (BVM, M.Sc., PhD) is Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases. She is one of the two members involved in establishing the department of Microbiology and Immunology at Weill Bugando School of Medicine (WBSOM). For more than 16 years she has been involved in various projects focusing mainly on infectious diseases. Currently, she saves as Associate Dean (Biomedical Sciences) at Weill Bugando School of Medicine (WBSOM). To date, she has mentored >100 undergraduate and >25 postgraduate students in the field of infectious diseases. Her current research interests include sero-epidemiology of viral infections particularly vaccine preventable diseases, sexually transmitted infections and zoonotic disease of public health importance. She has contributed and co-authored more than 130 scientific articles in peer reviewed journals with Google scholar h-index of 28 and i-10-index of 53. Prof Mirambo has led several teams in translation of research findings into policy briefs including; Strategic Rubella vaccination to control Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), Introduction of Mumps virus vaccine, Improving syphilis diagnosis and Screening of viral infections in pregnant women etc. She is a member of various committees within and outside the institution including Zika contingency plan, technical working group under One Health programme in Tanzania etc.
Prof. Jeremiah Seni
ProfessorProf. Seni has over 15 years of clinical, research and leadership experience in the fields of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Global Health, with specific focuses on establishing IPC, AMS and AMR Surveillance systems; and mitigating epidemics, pandemics and other infectious diseases of Public Health importance within and across countries. His key contributions include the: 1. Development and implementation of the Tanzania NAP-AMR (2017-2022, and 2023-2028).He serves in many national technical committees including, the National AMS TWGChairperson, member of the National Multisectoral Coordinating Committee on AMR, member of the National One Health TWG, and member of the National Biosafety and Biosecurity TWG. 2. Development of the Integrated AMR Surveillance for Africa Region (2024); and many other key regional documents on AMR, AMS and IPC. Provision of technical support in these key strategic areas to foster implementation in Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and other ECSA countries. 3. Development of the WHO Global AMR Research Agenda in the human health sector (2023) He is a seasoned consultant to the WHO, FAO, Africa-CDC, ASLM, ASM, ECSA-HC, USAID and Swiss-TPH. Prof. Seni has supervised, reviewed and examined research projects and dissertations/theses to over 200 students (at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels in Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and South Africa); and has published over 150 technical reports and peer reviewed research articles. He cherishes track-records in research and clinical collaborations with institutions in Canada, USA, UK, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Denmark, and Switzerland.