Employing (Home) Organisation: Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organisation (TIRDO)
Project title: Strengthening genomic surveillance to support control of endemic and emerging zoonotic Pathogens in Africa.
I am a Research Scientist at TIRDO with over ten years’ experience in molecular biology and genomics, focusing on zoonotic disease surveillance. I recently completed a PhD applying whole genome sequencing to understand rabies transmission in East Africa. My interest in molecular epidemiology was sparked in 2016 when Dr Kirstyn Brunker trained me in rabies sequencing in Tanzania, alongside mentorship from Prof Katie Hampson. Their guidance inspired me to pursue advanced genomics research and compete for the AREF Award.
Summary of Project Destination
Rabies and Rift Valley fever remain major zoonotic threats in East Africa due to weak genomic surveillance and limited in-country sequencing capacity. My research asks how vaccination campaigns influence rabies virus lineage dynamics, and how practical genomic tools can strengthen surveillance for both endemic (rabies) and emerging (RVFV) pathogens. Through this Fellowship, I will expand rabies genomic datasets, evaluate sequencing strategies for RVFV (targeted and metagenomic), and develop field-adapted workflows suitable for low-resource settings. After the Fellowship, I will embed these genomic approaches within national surveillance systems in Tanzania, strengthening outbreak detection, informing vaccination strategies, and building sustainable regional capacity for multi-pathogen genomic surveillance.
Summary of Fellowship Plan
I will undertake a six-month placement at the University of Glasgow within the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, mentored by Dr Kirstyn Brunker and collaborating with Prof Katie Hampson. I will gain advanced training in phylogenetics, metagenomics, and genomic workflow development for rabies and RVFV surveillance. On return, TIRDO and Ifakara Health Institute will provide laboratory space, institutional support, and integration into national One Health programmes, enabling sustainable adoption of genomic surveillance in Tanzania.
Quote
“This placement will transform genomic research into practical public health action, strengthening Africa’s capacity to detect, monitor, and control zoonotic diseases sustainably.“
Proposed start date of the Fellowship is June 2026