Prof. Karim Manji
Chairperson
Dr. Karim Manji is a Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health, and the former Dean of the School of Medicine at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He is a senior pediatrician and neonatologist with extensive experience in clinical care, research, and training in child health.
With more than 15 years of experience, Dr. Manji has collaborated with international partners including Harvard University and Boston Children’s Hospital in the United States, as well as leading institutions across other countries. His work has centered on large programmatic studies addressing infectious diseases, child health, and the efficacy of nutritional supplementation.
Dr. Manji earned his Master of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health under the mentorship of Dr. Wafaie Fawzi, specializing in research methods and epidemiology in pediatric populations. His research has explored the epidemiology of common childhood infections such as diarrhea, pneumonia, tuberculosis, meningitis, and pediatric HIV infection, along with disease progression and predictors of birth and neonatal outcomes.
Currently, Dr. Manji serves as the in-country Principal Investigator of two ongoing NIH-funded trials investigating the effects of micronutrient supplementation on diarrhea, respiratory infections, and other pediatric health outcomes among children in Dar es Salaam. In addition, he leads clinical and research training programs for healthcare workers in Tanzania, particularly on the integrated management of childhood infections.
Beyond his academic leadership as outgoing Dean of the MUHAS School of Medicine, Dr. Manji also contributes as a Pediatric Research Consultant at MUHAS. He serves on the scientific committees of the Ifakara Health Institute and the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) clinical trials. As a co-investigator, productive researcher, and trained clinical pediatrician, Dr. Manji continues to play a pivotal role in advancing pediatric research, medical education, and healthcare delivery in Tanzania and beyond.
Prof. Julie Makani
General Secretary
Professor Julie Makani is a Tanzanian medical researcher and clinician, serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Dar es Salaam. She is also a Provost’s Visiting Professor of Haematology at Imperial College London. Professor Makani completed her medical degree at MUHAS, followed by postgraduate training in internal medicine in the United Kingdom, and earned her PhD in Clinical Epidemiology with a focus on sickle cell disease (SCD).
She founded and leads one of the world’s largest single-center SCD research programs, which integrates clinical care, genomic studies, public health, ethics, and policy research. She also serves as Principal Investigator for the Sickle Pan-African Research Consortium (SPARCO) Clinical Coordinating Centre and Co-Principal Investigator for SickleGenAfrica. Additionally, she coordinates MUHAS’s participation in H3ABioNet, supporting genomic research across Africa.
Professor Makani’s research focuses on understanding the clinical determinants and molecular foundations of SCD, including anemia, fetal hemoglobin, and environmental factors that affect disease severity. Her work aims to translate genomic and clinical insights into practical health improvements for patients in Tanzania and across Africa.
In recognition of her contributions, Professor Makani has received numerous honors, including the Royal Society Pfizer Award, the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellowship, and the French National Order of Merit. She is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (UK) and the Tanzania Academy of Sciences. Beyond research, she co-founded the Sickle Cell Foundation of Tanzania and continues to influence policy, advocacy, and care for individuals living with SCD.
Prof. Ben Hamel
Member
Prof. Ben Hamel is a Professor in the Department of Human Genetics at Radboud University, the Netherlands. He has an extensive track record in human genetics research, with 296 publications, over 46,700 reads, and more than 21,000 citations.
Prof. Hamel’s expertise spans mutation analysis, genetic counseling, and clinical genetics, where he has contributed significantly to advancing knowledge and practice in the field. His scholarly work and clinical experience position him as a leading figure in the study and application of human genetics.
Prof. Mohamed Bakari
Member
Mohamed Bakari Kambi (PhD) is a full Professor of Internal Medicine at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) where he served at different capacities including being the Deputy Vice Chancellor Planning, Finance and Administration. Apart from training in the higher learning institution, he has also served as a Chief medical Officer the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Felista Mwingira
Member
Dr. Felista W. Mwingira is a Lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE), a constituent college of the University of Dar es Salaam. She holds a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Basel, Switzerland.
Her teaching and academic interests cover parasitology, entomology, evolutionary biology, and molecular biology. Over the years, she has built strong expertise in tropical diseases, molecular parasitology, and molecular epidemiology, with a particular focus on malaria.
Dr. Mwingira has led and contributed to several important research projects. She served as Principal Investigator for studies on the molecular epidemiology of Plasmodium falciparum in Tanzania and was also a national supervisor for the 2019/2020 National Malaria and Nutrition surveys in public primary schools. At DUCE, she has directed studies on malaria knowledge, attitudes, and practices among students as well as research on mosquito abundance and species surveillance.
Her scientific work includes publications on malaria transmission dynamics, submicroscopic parasitemia, gametocyte carriage, and genetic diversity of P. falciparum. Through both teaching and research, Dr. Mwingira continues to make significant contributions to the understanding and control of malaria and other parasitic diseases in Tanzania.
Dr. Ivan Tarimo
Member
Dr. Ivan Tarimo is a Tanzanian economist and seasoned financial markets professional. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Dar es Salaam and a Master of Science in Finance and Economics from Warwick Business School.
Dr. Tarimo is a founding partner at Bankable Tanzania, where he leads strategy and business development. Prior to this, he held senior roles in global markets at Stanbic Bank and served in treasury positions at NBC and Standard Chartered, beginning his career in 2007. He is a certified ACI Financial Markets Practitioner and served as President of the ACI Financial Markets Association Tanzania chapter from 2013 to 2015.
His expertise spans financial markets, economic policy, and business development. Dr. Tarimo is a frequent speaker at economic forums and has contributed to discussions on public debt, investment in the energy sector, and financial sector development in Tanzania.
Dr. Daniel Maeda
Member
Dr. Daniel Maeda, Ph.D. is a molecular and cellular biotechnologist and the Principal Investigator of the Gene Editing Training Program Africa at Uru Research & Development Group Ltd. He is trained in stem cell biology, regenerative sciences, molecular and cellular biology, and virology. His current research encompasses virology, molecular diagnostics, stem cell biology, chemical biology, tumor biology, and pharmaceutical biotechnology.
Dr. Maeda’s work in stem cell biology and regenerative sciences focuses on the development of hepatic cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells and their applications as cellular models for gene editing and correction, as well as their potential in cell therapy. In addition to his research, he lectures extensively in molecular and cellular biology, molecular developmental biology, virology, and pharmaceutical biotechnology, with particular emphasis on the applications of molecular biology tools—including gene editing—in both basic and applied biomedical research.
He is the Principal Investigator and co-instructor of the Gene Editing Training Program for Africa, a week-long course that brings together bioscience professionals from across the continent to advance technical expertise in gene editing technologies. Dr. Maeda also serves as the Southern Africa focal person of the Gene Editing Technologies Initiative (GETI) and is a founding member of the Tanzania Society for Human Genetics (now the Tanzania Human Genetics Organization), where he continues to serve on the advisory board.
In addition to his academic and research contributions, Dr. Maeda chairs the Technical Advisory Committee on Medical Devices and Diagnostics at the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) and is a member of the National Biosafety Committee of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Mr. Adam Malima
Member
Adam Kighoma Malima, a distinguished Tanzanian politician and civil servant, currently serves as the Regional Commissioner for Morogoro Region. He brings a wealth of experience from his previous political roles—including positions such as Deputy Minister across multiple ministries and Member of Parliament for Mkuranga constituency—highlighting his leadership in finance, agriculture, energy, and economic affairs
Dr. Fidelis Segumba
Member
Dr. Fidelis Segumba is a Tanzanian molecular biologist and government chemist with experience in forensic science and biomedical research. He serves on the advisory board of the Tanzania Human Genetics Organization (THGO), supporting the growth of human genetics research and policy in the country.
As a Government Chemist, Dr. Segumba has worked on important forensic investigations, including cases involving narcotic drugs. His expertise in laboratory analysis and scientific reporting has helped to strengthen justice and public safety in Tanzania.
With a background in molecular biology, Dr. Segumba also contributes to advancing biomedical science and genetics in the country. He continues to play a role in building Tanzania’s scientific capacity while ensuring that research benefits both health and society.