Senior Medical Superintendent

I am a dedicated pediatric researcher and the senior medical superintendent at the Arthur Davidson Children's Hospital in Ndola, Zambia, with a specialized focus on pediatric infectious diseases, including tuberculosis (TB) and HIV co-infection. My passion for advancing healthcare outcomes for vulnerable pediatric populations has driven my involvement in numerous groundbreaking research initiatives. I have served as the Site Principal Investigator (site-PI) for several key pharmacokinetics and safety trials, including CHAPAS-4, EMPIRICAL, and the TB SPEED trial. These studies have been instrumental in improving our understanding of drug safety and efficacy in children in resource-limited settings and have informed WHO TB and HIV guidelines. My role in these trials encompassed overseeing study implementation, ensuring adherence to rigorous ethical standards, and fostering community trust to support trial success. Through this work, I have contributed to the development of evidence-based treatment protocols aimed at optimizing therapeutic strategies for infants affected by HIV and TB co-infections. Specifically, my research has shed light on the pharmacokinetics of antiretrovirals and first-line antituberculosis drugs, advocating for tailored dosing regimens to address the unique needs of children in this demographic. Malaria and tuberculosis remain highly endemic in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia, with co-infections being commonplace. Understanding how artemether-lumefantrine, our first line treatment for uncomplicated malaria treatment in Zambia, and rifapentine, a key drug in the new 3HP tuberculosis prevention regimen, is critically important for the effective clinical management of co-infected children. With my previous experience evaluating the pharmacokinetics of TB and HIV treatment, and my clinical experience in malaria, I am well qualified to serve as site PI for this study. In addition to my research contributions, I am deeply committed to building capacity within the local research community. By mentoring young scientists and fostering collaborations with multidisciplinary teams, I strive to advance pediatric healthcare research and ensure that findings translate into meaningful clinical practices. My ultimate goal is to enhance therapeutic efficacy, reduce childhood mortality, and empower communities to overcome the burden of infectious diseases.