Faculty
Dr Patricia Shinondo
Dr Catherine Muyeba
Dr Ignatius Esene
Dr Duncan Chanda
Dr Duncan Chanda is a Clinical Researcher and Infectious Diseases Specialist based at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka. He is Director of Adult Infectious Diseases Centre (AIDC). The Infectious Diseases Centre is a lead institution in HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis and neglected tropical diseases. He has authored more than 40 publications in peer reviewed journals and has undertaken and participated in a number of research projects in various roles over the last 20 years. In addition to managing the center he is also directs a tuberculosis (TB) research laboratory based at UTH.
He holds a BSc, an MBChB and a postgraduate diploma from University of Zambia. He also holds a postgraduate diploma and a Master of Science degree from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and possesses postgraduate training in virology and immunology from University of Nagasaki, Japan and Lausanne Universities, Switzerland respectively. He also holds a Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases from University of Zambia.
His current research interest including emerging infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS and opportunistic infections including TB. He also interests in health systems, data usability and adaptability. Since 2006, he has been involved in a number of clinical trials, initially as a junior researcher and progressing ascending to a role of principal investigator in various research projects. He is also a honorary lecture with University of Zambia School on Medicine.
Additionally, he is the Chair for Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee of the National Referral Hospital and the National Technical Working Group on Rational Use of Antibiotics. He is also a member of various TWGs including Clinical Expert Committee (CEC) for Multidrug Resistance TB, TWG on HIV/AIDS, TWG of Tuberculosis. He is also a member of the National Health Research Ethics Board (NHREB)
Dr Margaret Kasaro
Currently leading UNC Global Projects Zambia an NGO with diversity in affiliation by geographical location, cultures and research studies, this is in the background of more than 15 years’ experience in clinical research. Clinician and researcher with qualifications at masters’ level in both Public Health (LSHTM) and Obstetrics and Gynaecology (UNZA). My interest is HIV prevention research focused on empowering women to make those critical decisions with regards to reproductive health. Other interests are in improving birth outcomes in resource limited settings by producing evidence on problems relevant to these settings. Using the UNC GPZ platform, I am involved in research capacity building of both international and local learners by providing mentorship. I have several publications for my research work.
Beyond GPZ I participate in technical working groups. Knowledge Translation TWG is an example and highlighted for the role in bridging research and research utilization, strategic planning and policy formulation.
I commit a percentage of my time for clinical work and interaction with the patient and the medical student within the clinical area.
Dr Azza H Idris
Dr. Idris is a physician-scientist with extensive training in immunology and pediatric infectious diseases, and her professional interests span discovery science and translational research. She holds a dual appointment at the Mass General Hospital Pediatric Infectious Diseases Division and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard.
Dr. Idris received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at MIT before earning her dual MD/PhD degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She then moved to Atlanta for pediatric residency training at Emory University and went on to specialize in pediatric infectious diseases with training at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. Currently, Dr. Idris is board certified in General Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases. After dedicating several years to pediatric care, she took a career
break to raise her young family before making a successful return to science.
Dr. Idris completed her post-doctoral training at the NIH, where her work launched her career in malaria research. As a native of Sudan, she witnessed firsthand malaria’s devastating impact, which motivates her enduring commitment to eradicating the disease. Her research focused on developing innovative human monoclonal antibodies capable of providing protection against malaria. She was later appointed Head of the Malaria Unit at the Vaccine Research Center, where she led efforts in the discovery, development, and evaluation of antibodies and vaccines against malaria. She also supported the advancement of candidate therapeutics through preclinical testing, and her efforts have contributed to the first-in-human trial of monoclonal antibodies to prevent malaria.
At the Ragon, Dr. Idris is dedicated to cultivating a lab atmosphere that not only encourages curiosity and inclusivity but also nurtures both local and international collaborations to make a lasting global health impact.
Outside of work, Dr. Idris enjoys sports, exploring nature, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Chileshe Mabula-Bwalya
Dr. Chileshe Mabula-Bwalya is a medical doctor and clinical researcher with a special interest in obstetric and newborn health.
Dr. Mabula-Bwalya holds an undergraduate degree in Human Development from the University of California, San Diego (2007), a medical degree from the University of Zambia (2014), and a Master's degree from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2020). She is currently undertaking a PhD with King's College London.
Dr. Mabula-Bwalya has participated in a number of research studies and fellowships, including the CIDRZ Global HealthCorps Fellowship, and the UNC-UNZA-Wits HIV and Women's Reproductive Health Fellowship. She is invested in facilitating and developing research capacity in Zambian clinicians, and is the current Acting Head of the Clinical Research and Quality Improvement Unit at UTH Women and Newborn Hospital.
Dr Duncan Chanda
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Dr Nyembezi Thandie Moyo
Dr Nyembezi Thandie Moyo is currently a 4th Year Registrar in the Pediatric Surgery at the University Teaching Hospital. She has a Bachelors degree in General Biology and Masters in Cell and Molecular biology from Texas Christian University in USA. She also has a Bachelors degree in Human Biology and MBChB from The University of Zambia. She is currently a Mentor for the MWAZ mentorship program and is currently involved in a number of research projects within the Paediatric Surgery department.
Prof Hannah Simonds
Prof Hannah Simonds is a Clinical Oncologist currently working at University Hospitals Plymouth, UK. She is the past Head of the Clinical and Radiation Oncology Division at Stellenbosch University/Tygerberg Academic Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. She has previously worked at the University of Cape Town/Groote Schuur Hospital and the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre in Accra, Ghana.
Her main clinical and research interest is the implementation and modification of international treatment guidelines in a low-resource setting.
She is committed to improving access to training for South African and regional trainees – her division has trained residents from Uganda, Namibia, Zambia, Nigeria, Cameroon and Kenya. She is the current Editor-in-chief of the Southern African Journal of Gynaecological Oncology and Associate Editor of the South Africa Journal of Oncology.
Dr Patricia Shinondo
Dr Shinondo is a Paediatric Surgeon, currently heading the Paediatric Surgical Unit at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. She completed her undergraduate medical training in Russia at Kuban State Medical Academy, and thereafter returned to pursue her internship training at Ndola Teaching Hospital. She attained her Masters of Medicine in Paediatric Surgery from the University of Zambia (UNZA) graduating as the first female paediatric surgeon in the country, and further attained a fellowship in Paediatric Surgery with the regional College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA).
Dr Shinondo’s unwavering commitment to advocacy for doctors’ welfare and clinical
excellence has seen her serve in several roles in organizations including as the current Vice President of the Zambia Association of Paediatric Surgeons (ZAPS); the immediate past Vice president of the Zambia Medical Association (ZMA) in 2021-2023; the current secretary general of the Women In Surgery Africa (WiSA).
Dr Shinondo has an interest in global surgery, surgical education and research, and is a part time lecturer/trainer for medical students and postgraduate students.
Dr Ignatius N Esene
Dr Esene is a Consultant Neurological Surgeon at the Garoua Regional Hospital in Cameroon. He is a Public, International & Global Health Physician, Chair of the Young African Neurosurgeons Forum (Young CAANS), and Chair of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Young Neurosurgeons Forum. He is the Author of more than 100 Scientific Publications (h-index =14; i10-index=21). He is a Co-Founder and Deputy Editor-In-chief of the Journal of Global Neurosurgery, Co-Founder and Scientific Editor of the Pan African Medical Journal-Clinical Medicine, and the Managing Editor of the Egyptian Journal of Neurosurgery (EJNS). He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Journal of
Neurological Sciences, and a member of the Editorial Board of Acta Neurochirurgica (the
European Journal of Neurosurgery). He is a Reviewer for Top 5 Neurosurgical Journals, an
International Endorser of UpSurgeon and an International Advisor for the International Basic Neurosurgery Course (IBNC). He has participated in more than 250 International
Conferences/Meetings.
Dr Catherine Muyeba
Dr Muyeba is a Regional Lead Consultant Psychiatrist with over 20 years of clinical experience in the community, hospitals, prisons and private sector. She supports adults, children and families affected by substance misuse with or without mental illness. She has a special interest in the assessment and treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD in adults, especially women.
A Certified Lifestyle Physician, she coaches, mentors, educates and raises awareness about Mental Health, Addiction and Lifestyle Medicine with a view to reducing stigma, improving help-seeking and promoting total well-being among professionals and the communities they serve.