PhD STUDENTS

Claire Calderwood

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Integrated multi-disease health checks for TB-affected households (IMBA Hutano)

2021-

I am Wellcome Trust Clinical PhD fellow in Global Health Research at LSHTM and Respiratory physician in higher speciality training in the UK. For my PhD I am based in Zimbabwe with the THRU Zim team. My research is investigating chronic disease clustering within TB-affected households as a nested sub-study in ERASE-TB and seeks to develop an integrated health check for TB-affected households. More broadly, I am interested in approaches to address infectious and non-infectious chronic disease morbidity and mortality, particularly chronic respiratory disease including post-TB lung disease, in resource-limited settings.

Tafadzwa Madanhire

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Mechanistic understanding of vitamin D, calcium and bone metabolism during adolescent skeletal growth in children living with HIV

2021-

I am a biostatistician by training from the University of Zimbabwe currently supporting observational and longitudinal musculoskeletal studies within the group. My role involves developing statistical plans and performing the subsequent analyses. I am an aspiring PhD research fellow with interests in HIV, modelling mechanistic bone pathways and skeletal growth in children.

Kevin Martin

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Investigating point-of-care diagnostics for sexually transmitted infections and antimicrobial resistance in primary care in Zimbabwe (IPSAZ)

2022-

I am a Wellcome Trust clinical PhD fellow in global health. For my PhD research, I will be implementing and evaluating a strategy for integration of point-of-care diagnostics for STIs into antenatal settings in Harare, supervised by Professor Rashida Ferrand, Professor Katharina Kranzer, and Dr Michael Marks. After graduating from University College London in 2016, I have been based in Brighton, UK for my postgraduate clinical training. After completing the academic foundation programme, I undertook an MSc in Tropical Medicine and International Health at the LSHTM. For this, I conducted a mixed methods study nested within the CHIEDZA trial, assessing the uptake of and factors associated with unselected STI testing among youth, which laid the groundwork for my PhD proposal. I subsequently held an NIHR academic clinical fellowship in genitourinary medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, where I continued to work on mixed methods research assessing the facilitators and barriers to point-of-care testing for STIs.

Farirayi Kowo Nyakoko

University of Bristol

Comparing the skeletal maturity of children and adolescents in two sub-Saharan African countries and the impact of HIV and maternal calcium supplementation on skeletal growth

2020-

I am a PhD student with the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton. My PhD will compare skeletal maturation in three sub-Saharan African countries. I will do bone age assessment in two cohorts (Zimbabwe and The Gambia) and the data will help in answering questions on how bone age differs by measurement method in Zimbabwe and how bone age differs from chronological age in Zimbabwean and The Gambian populations. It will also facilitate better understanding of how chronic conditions like HIV and malnutrition have an impact on skeletal maturity. I did my MSc and BSc in Radiography with the National University of Science and Technology (NUST).

Farirayi Peter Nzvere

London School of Hygiene

& Tropical Medicine

Comprehensive school- and community-based health check-ups in adolescents living in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe: A hybrid

2022-

I am a physician and current Master of Public Health (MPH) student at the University of Edinburgh, where I am a member of the UNCOVER (Usher Network for COVid-19 Evidence Reviews) research group. My clinical experience, including working with refugee populations, has shaped my research interests which lie at the intersection of early adolescent interventions and the socioeconomic health determinants that play a significant role in chronic disease prevention and management. This passion led to the formation of a diabetes non-profit organization, Diversity in Diabetes, based in the United States.

In my current role, I oversee the Y-Check study, evaluating the effectiveness of health checkups in adolescents and the ICAROZ study, which involves screening healthcare workers for SARS-CoV-2 in

addition to common chronic conditions and the subsequent linkage to care process. Upon completing my MPH, I intend to pursue a PhD in adolescent health checkups and build on the foundations laid by the Y-Check study.

Brenda Nherera

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Evaluating the effectiveness of immunisation with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in protection against severe COVID-19 infection

2023-

I am a Medical Laboratory Scientist with a Master of Science degree in Clinical Biochemistry. I have 10 years work experience in a Clinical Biochemistry research lab and 2 years work experience as a lecturer in Chemical Pathology at the University of Zimbabwe. I am a PhD student registered with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases. My PhD work is embedded within the VAXEF study whose main aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of immunisation with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in protection against severe COVID-19 infection. I am focusing on characterising the hybrid immunity that is generated by SARS-CoV-2 infection and inactivated vaccines in Zimbabweans with HIV and other comorbidities. My work is a collaboration between the Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI), Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research and the University of Sheffield, UK.

Tinotenda Taruvinga

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

The impact of the SARS-CoV -2 pandemic on the health care system using maternal and child health as a case study

2020-

I am a Fogarty TRENT COVID-19 PhD fellow with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). My PhD focuses on the impact of the SARS-CoV -2 pandemic on the health care system using maternal and child health as a case study. I graduated with a Master of Public Health (MPH) International Development (distinction) from the University of Sheffield. I have experience of conducting two academic research work in Nepal and Bangladesh. Furthermore, after having 13 years of public health experience, I developed interest in public health emergency response and conducting research that influence policies. Currently I am working as an Epidemiologist with the Africa Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Nyasha Dzavakwa

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Treatment adherence in adolescents living with HIV using electronic monitoring devices in Harare, Zimbabwe

2021-

I am a medical doctor working as the clinical lead for the VITALITY clinical trial. . I hold an MBChB degree from the University of Zimbabwe and I am a WHO-TDR alumni from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa where I obtained an MSc Epidemiology-Implementation Science. I have enrolled for a PhD with LSHTM. My PhD is focused on treatment adherence in young people living with HIV using an electronic pill monitoring device. I will be using an electronic pill dispenser called the Wisepill RT2000 dispenser, as an intervention to try and improve antiretroviral therapy adherence in young people aged 16-24 years living with HIV with high viral load >1000 copies/ml.

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Rumbidzai Gumbie

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Developing, implementing and evaluating clinic based integrated sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents and young people living with HIV in Zimbabwe

2022-

I am a Registered Nurse and current global health clinical fellow and pioneer of the CREATE PhD program. I studied my BSc Nursing at Kingston University and St George’s Medical school in London and later my MSc in Reproductive and Sexual Health Research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. I have vast experience working in primary care settings in the Middle east and UK and rural communities in East Africa coordinating and providing SRH services.

My PhD will be investigating integrated HIV and SRH services for adolescents and young people living with HIV, working with health providers in rural and urban settings in Zimbabwe.

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Mary K Tumushime

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Developing and evaluating novel interventions to facilitate Sexually Transmitted Infection control in Zimbabwe

2023-

I am a CREATE PhD Fellow registered at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and based at THRU-ZIM. My research aims to evaluate partner notification strategies to inform their scale up in sexually transmitted infections (STI) programmes in Zimbabwe. I am a public health researcher with over 10 years’ experience, primarily in HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH). This includes coordinating parallel operational research studies on HIV testing and prevention, most notably, the HIV Self-Testing Africa (STAR) Initiative (2015-2020). I have a Master of Public Health from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia (2012).

Edson Marambire

Ludwig Maximillian University of Munich

International health and Medical research

2022-

I am an experienced public health professional with a nursing background. I hold a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from Africa University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Zimbabwe. Currently, I am a PhD candidate in medical research and international health at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU). Since September 2020, I have been working as a research coordinator at THRU ZIM. My career has focused on HIV and TB prevention and treatment programs, and I have collaborated with organizations such as the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Population Services International, and the Ministry of Health.

Martha Chipinduro

Ludwig Maximillian University of Munich

International health and Medical research

2023-

I am a medical laboratory scientist pursuing a PhD with the University of Munich (LMU). My research work is embedded within the ERASE-TB study where I will describe the molecular epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, transmission linkages and tne prevalence of isoniazid resistance among people affected with tuberculosis. The overall aim is to provide data that will guide the prevention, management and control of tuberculosis.I am keen on TB research particularly focussed on genomics, diagnostics and implementation science. I was recently awarded a PETRA small research grant to pilot the implementation of a digital adherence application for people on tuberculosis treatment in Harare, Zimbabwe. I believe that innovative approaches to ensure tuberculosis treatment adherence and compliance are critical in the fight against tuberculosis.

Michaela Takawira

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Health Economics

2022-

I hold a Master of Science from the University of Cape Town. I am a PhD student in health economics at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. My main research interest is in the determinants and measurement of adolescent well-being. My PhD focuses on understanding the abstract concept that is adolescent well-being, from the perspective and experiences of adolescents living in Chitungwiza. The findings of this research will feed into the economic evaluation of a complex school- and community-based health intervention (Y-Check), which I am also working on. My supervisory team includes Dr Giulia Greco (LSHTM), Dr Aoife Doyle (LSHTM) and Professor John Jerrim (UCL).

Kate Mattick

Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Co-developing community rehabilitation services to promote functional ability and quality of life of older people: a mixed methods study in Zimbabwe.

2024-

I am physiotherapist with specialist interest in healthy ageing and frailty and a CREATE PhD fellow starting in January 2024 My PhD is registered through the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) and I will be based in Zimbabwe with the THRU ZIM team for part of my 3-year programme. My research is centered on co-developing community rehabilitation services to promote functional ability and quality of life of older people. More widely, I am interested in the holistic experience of ageing, and how access to knowledge, rehabilitation, assistive devices and peer-support can influence outcomes and quality of life.

Lydia Davidson

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

To investigate how a participatory approach may improve care and ensure sustainability of infection prevention and control in low-resource neonatal units.

2023-

I am a paediatric nurse with experience in leading nursing and quality improvement teams in paediatric and neonatal care in the UK, Afghanistan and Myanmar. I completed my nursing training at King’s College, London and hold an MSc in Public Health for Development from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. My aim is to contribute towards reducing neonatal mortality by utilising a nursing perspective of the key issues impacting neonatal mortality and morbidity, including neonatal sepsis. I am a PhD student under the CREATE program, registered at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. My research will work closely with staff and families to investigate how a participatory approach may improve care and ensure sustainability of infection prevention and control in low-resource neonatal units.

Sam Gnanapragasam

King’s College London

The role of therapeutic alliance in depression symptom reduction: a mixed-methods study of adults receiving face-to-face and digitally delivered psychological therapy through the Friendship Bench in Zimbabwe.

2024-

I am an academic psychiatry registrar with an interest in global mental health. I hope to contribute to improving mental health and wellbeing through clinical work, academia, health policy and advocacy. I gained experience during a Global Health BSc, clinical/public health placements in Sierra Leone, India, USA and UK, Academic Foundation Program and Academic Clinical Fellowship. Recently, I was NHS England’s National Medical Director’s Clinical Fellow and coordinator of the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global Health. Through the CREATE fellow, I am excited to work with and learn from service users, colleagues and stakeholders to improve depression care in Zimbabwe. I am happy to be contacted and welcome the opportunity to connect.

Tinashe Mwaturura

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Improving the workflow of positive blood cultures from neonates admitted in a tertiary hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe

2024-

I am an infectious disease epidemiologist with experience in leading infectious disease diagnosis research. My aim is to contribute to the development of policies and services addressing the unmet burden of infections and to improve diagnostic practices which ultimately improve health outcomes of people in Zimbabwe and other low- and middle-income countries. My research under the CREATE PhD Fellowship aims to improve the diagnosis and management of patients with sepsis at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe. Through this project, I hope to develop strategies that will improve the surveillance and containment of antimicrobial resistance in Zimbabwe.

Maureen Tshuma

Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Development, implementation and evaluation of a community-based assessment and management of cognitive and psychological ability for older people living in urban Zimbabwe.

2024-

I am a social scientist with extensive experience in public health research and clinical trials. My passion lies in producing research findings grounded in evidence to shape interventions and policies. I am eager to embark on research focused on promoting and maintaining the functional ability of older adults. My research under CREATE PhD Fellowship aims to develop a community-based health intervention with special focus on the cognitive and psychological ability of older adults. I hold a MSc Degree in Sociology and Social Anthropology and a BSc (Honours) Degree in Sociology from the University of Zimbabwe.

Akanksha Mimi Malhotra

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Investigating the impact of tuberculosis (TB) on the lung health of silica-exposed artisanal and small scale miners in Zimbabwe

2024-

I am an academic Respiratory registrar with an interest in mycobacterial disease, health inequities, and integrated health policy. I hold an MSc in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and have experience working at The Health Foundation – a large UK based health policy think-tank.

My research is focussed on the lung health of artisanal and small-scale miners. Through my PhD I will investigate the role of Computer Aided Detection in diagnosis, evaluate TB treatment outcomes, and begin to explore how post-TB lung disease impacts this marginalised group exposed to silica-dust.

Rhulani Beji-Chauke

King's College London

Understanding substance use among young people in Harare: A mixed methods study

2024-

I am a global mental health researcher with training in Psychology. I also hold an MPhil in Public Mental Health from the University of Cape Town and over 8 years’ experience in youth mental health both within research and programming. I was awarded a CREATE PhD fellowship in 2024 and I am registered with King's College London (KCL). My PhD is mixed methods and will focus on understanding substance use among young people in Harare. I hope to provide an in-depth understanding of the substance use landscape in Harare and come up with guidelines on how to improve care and support for young people using substances.