Chemical pathology

Haematology

Histopathology

Immunology

Medical Laboratory

Medical Microbiology

Academic Staff

 

PROFFESSOR NYASHA CHIN’OMBE

Qualifications: PhD in Medical Microbiology (UCT), MSc in Biotechnology (UZ), BSc in Biological Sciences (UZ)

Outstanding Achievements

1. Vaccinology convenor, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe.
2. African Fellowship to participate in 2nd Global Workshop on Advanced Vaccinology Training to be held on 22-24 March 2022, Les Pensières Center for Global Health, Veyrier-du-Lac/Annecy, France.
3. African Fellowship to participate in Vaccinology in Africa – A Virtual Master’s Level Course, 04 -15 October, 2021. Edward Jenner Institute, University of Oxford.
4. ALIVE (African Leadership in Vaccinology Expertise) fellowship to attend 3rd African Advanced Vaccinology Course, 13- 22 September, 2021, Johannesburg, South Africa.
5. University of Zimbabwe Research Board funding: Mycobacteria Research project: 2015-2018.
6. Claude Leon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2011-2012: University of Cape, Cape Town, Division of Human Genetics. RSA.
7. Emory-South Africa NRF Drug Discovery Post-doctoral Fellowship, 2010-11: Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, USA.
8. Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise scholarship to attend 5th African AIDS Vaccine Programme (AAVP) Forum, 13-15 December, 2009, Kampala, Uganda.
9. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Award for registration subsidy of the Keystone Conference on Overcoming the Crisis of TB and AIDS. Arusha, Tanzania, October, 2009.
10. International Society for Infectious Diseases scholarship for registration for the 13th International Conference on Infectious Diseases Conference, Kuala Lumpur, June 2008.

11. South African National Research Foundation/University of Cape Town Travel fellowship to attend the 13th International Conference on Infectious Diseases Conference, Kuala Lumpur, June 2008.
12. International 2008 AIDS Vaccine Complementary Registration Scholarship to attend 2008 International AIDS Vaccine Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, October, 2008.
13. Global Health Travel Award to attend Keystone Symposia on Challenges of Global Vaccine Development, Cape Town, South Africa, October 2007.
14. South African National Research Foundation SARChI Chair (Vaccinology) postdoctoral fellowship, 2007-2009,UCT.
15. World Health Organization scholarship to attend 7th Global Vaccine Research Forum in Bangkok, Thailand, Dec. 2006.
16. International 2005 AIDS Vaccine Scholarship to attend 2005 AIDS Vaccine Conference in Montreal, Canada, September 2005.
17. Africa Genome Institute 2005 Fellowship to attend the Africa Genome Conference in Nairobi, March 2005.
18. International 2004 AIDS Vaccine Scholarship to attend AIDS Vaccine Conference in Lausanne, Switzerland, September 2004.
19. South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative (SAAVI) Scholarship to study PhD in Medical Microbiology (Virology) at University of Cape Town, 2001-2006..
20. International Livestock Research Institute Graduate Fellowship to do MSc (Biotechnology) research project at the Institute, 1996.
21. Hiram Wild Memorium Prize and University Book Prize for being best student in Coursework and Examination for the BSc Honours degree in Biological Sciences, 1993

 

SENIOR LECTURER

DR PASIPANODYA NZIRAMASANGA

Qualifications: PhD Theoretical Medicine (Frankfurt, Germany) MSc in Biology/Microbiology (Nevada-Reno USA) BSc Bacteriology and Public Health (Washington State USA

Research Interests

Rapid laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis using improved specimen processing for stained smear microscopy, isolation and characterization of environmental mycobacteria, rapid methods for tuberculosis diagnosis poliovirus surveillance , rubella virus disease surveillance by serotyping and molecular diagnosis rotavirus surveillance serotyping and genotyping

 

LECTURER

VURAYAI RUHANYA

Qualifications: MSc Med Virology (UP); MSc Med. Micro. (UZ); BSc (Hons) Bio. Sci. (MSU); Postgrad Dip. WATSAN (IWSD) DipEd (GTC)

Research Interest

Molecular epidemiology of enteric viruses of major public health concern like rotavirus, Hepatitis A, Calicviruses and enteroviruses

 

Non-Teaching Staff Members

Chief Technologist 

Ms Chipo Berejena   

Qualifications: Micro Master in Bioinformatics, University Systems of Maryland, March 2019

 

Senior Technician       

Mr Rambai Mudengezerwa 

Qualifications: State Certified Medical Laboratory Technician, Chitungwiza Hospital 2008

 

Senior Technician

Mr Paradzai Chibukira

Qualifications: National Diploma Applied Biotechnology, Harare Polytechnic 2012

 

Technician   

Ms Tricia Magombei    

Qualifications: HND Applied Biotechnology, Harare Polytechnic 2012

 

Laboratory Assistant

Mrs Pamela Mungoni

Qualifications: National Diploma in Applied Biotechnology, Harare Polytechnic 2018

 

Laboratory Assistant

Mr Brian Gwatinyanya       

Qualifications: 8 Ordinary levels 2002

 

Laboratory Assistant

Mr Jack Gode

Qualifications: 5 Ordinary levels 2000

 

Office Manager

Mrs Isabella Ncube

Qualifications: BCom Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations, ZOU, 2013

The Unit runs a two year MSc in Medical Microbiology, MSc Vaccinology and teaches third year in the MBChB and BDS curriculum, Biomedical Sciences, BSc in Health Education and Promotion, BSc in Rehabilitation, BSc Nursing Science and BSc Optometry. The Unit also teaches students from the School of Nursing and Private hospitals for the Specialist Nursing Diploma (Theatre and Intensive Care) and the Post Basic Nursing Course. This is in addition to the Combined Basic Sciences Course for Post Graduate students.

MSc MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY

This is a 2-year part time programme that aims to give different cadres of scientists including medical laboratory scientists, biological scientists, veterinary scientists and those with a medical degree   a more in depth understanding of Medical Microbiology and an opportunity to explore new research developments in the attempts to understand and manage important and sometimes less well known infectious diseases. Graduates of this course are expected to provide leadership in diagnostic and research microbiology laboratories, support in the pharmaceutical industry and perhaps develop their research skills further through entry into PhD programmes.  Part I of the course is based on lectures and practicals in parasitology, bacteriology, virology, mycology and includes support courses in molecular biology, immunology, laboratory safety and quality management systems, epidemiology, statistics and research methods. Assessment of Part I is based on a combination of continuous assessment and end of year examinations.  At the end of the first year laboratory attachments will provide the students with experience in a diagnostic and a reference microbiology laboratory environment. Visits to different research institutes and pharmaceutical industries will provide insight into current research programmes and industrial applications of medical microbiology. The second year, Part 2 of the programme involves the completion of laboratory attachments and development and implementation of a research project with submission of a dissertation by September of the second year. Assessment of Part II is based on continuous assessment and the dissertation. Part I and Part II assessments carry equal weighting in the final mark given.

The aim of the programme is to equip students with knowledge, skills and competencies in specific areas of Medical Microbiology particularly; Medical Bacteriology, Medical Mycology, Medical Parasitology, Medical Virology, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Immunology, Laboratory Management and Safety, Epidemiology, Statistics and Research Methodology, Research Ethics and apply this knowledge to current Clinical Laboratory Practice.

Entry Qualifications

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Science Degree in Medical Microbiology, applicants should normally have an appropriate honours degree or equivalent from this University or a recognized University in one of the following fields: Medical Microbiology, General Microbiology, Biological Sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Technology, Veterinary Science, MBChB or equivalent recognized degree. Applicants will normally have a degree class 2.1 or better. Applicants with a degree class of 2.2 may be considered if they have relevant experience. Applicants whose previous qualifications are inadequate but have recognized experience in the field may be required to attend courses and sit for examinations that will bring them to the honours level before registering for the Masters programme.

Duration of the Programme

The programme is offered on a part-time basis and will run for a period of two years.

Structure of the Programme

The programme consist of two parts; Part 1 will primarily be the coursework component and Part 2, the research and attachment component.  The courses are as follows:

MMB501 Immunology & Molecular Microbiology

MMB502 Medical Bacteriology

MMB503 Medical Virology

MMB504 Medical Mycology

MMB505 Medical Parasitology & Entomology

MMB506 Research Methods (including Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Bioinformatics)    

            

Part II shall normally commence immediately after satisfactory completion of Part I and consist of MMB510 Dissertation, Innovation & Laboratory Attachment.

 

MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN VACCINOLOGY (MVA)

Vaccination is regarded as one of the most successful and cost-effective public health intervention in prevention and control of infectious diseases. However, most vaccines are unreachable to the majority of people in developing countries who rely on donations. This Masters programme aims to create the next generation of African vaccinologists who can develop and manufacture the badly needed vaccines for Africa. The programme will cover all the key aspects of vaccine development from designing to manufacturing of the drugs. The students will be equipped with relevant knowledge, skills and competencies in specific areas of vaccinology.

Entry Qualifications

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Science Degree in Vaccinology, an applicant should normally have an appropriate honours degree or equivalent from this University or a recognized University in one of the following fields: Medical Microbiology, General Microbiology, Biological Sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Medical Technology, Veterinary Science, MBChB or equivalent recognized degree. Applicants will normally have a degree class 2.1 or better. However, applicants with a degree class of 2.2 or 3 may be considered if they have relevant experience

Applicants whose previous qualifications are inadequate but have recognized experience in the field of vaccinology may be required to attend specific courses and sit for examinations that will bring them to the honours level before registering for the Masters programme.

Duration of the Programme

The programme is offered on a full-time basis and will run for a period of two years. 

Structure of the Programme

The programme will consist of two parts; Part 1 will primarily be the coursework component and Part 2, the research and attachment component.  The courses are as follows:

MVA501 Infectious Disease Prevention and Control

MVA502 Immunology of Vaccines

MVA503 Vaccine Development Technologies

MVA504 Vaccine Testing and Clinical Trials

MVA505 Vaccine Manufacturing and Practices

MVA506 Immunization Programmes, Vaccinomics & Pharmacovigilance

MVA510Dissertation& Internship/attachment

 

MBCHB/BDS PART III PROGRAMME

Medical Microbiology Curriculum

The Medical Microbiology curriculum aims to equip a medical doctor and dentist with adequate knowledge skills and proficiency in the subject to allow them to make informed decisions that leads to accurate clinical diagnosis and effective management of infectious diseases. The thrust of the curriculum is to create the medical professional who has competencies in the didactic knowledge of the pathogenesis, in vivo processes of the disease and mechanism of the infectious diseases. Each level of Medical Microbiology as part of training will specifically aim to impart skills in detecting signs and symptoms of the infectious diseases including knowledge of relevant causative agents in the evidence based scientific methods of patient specimen collection, handling and hands on laboratory procedures to identify the microbial agents involved. Details on these competencies (including infectious diseases researcher, scholar and health advocate) are listed below.

The competences described are to be developed throughout the five year medical training. The introductory aspects of basic Medical Microbiology can be covered in the Part I and II Basic Medical Sciences phases as existed prior to the 1992 curriculum review. The pathologic process and mechanisms of infectious diseases, laboratory diagnostic procedures will be covered in the part III as currently done.  The epidemiology, infection control and prevention and antimicrobial mechanisms are also to be covered in Part III to coincide with Surgery, Medicine, Community Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology teaching.  In Part IV and V, detailed reviews of patient specimen collection, appropriateness and rational choice of diagnostic tests together with interpretation of laboratory results obtained from tests run, will be done in pediatric and adult patients. This will strengthen management of infections and used of antibiotics a required competency for the qualifying trainee.

The Disciplines covered under Medical Microbiology Curriculum includes Bacteriology, Mycology, Virology, Parasitology, Molecular Microbiology and Infection Prevention and Control & Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

6. RESEARCH

The Unit is involved in the development of proposals contributing to an understanding of the burden multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria in Zimbabwe particularly looking at transmission of MDR bacteria across communities and investigating the clinical impact of infections caused by these organisms.   It is also involved in development of quality laboratory capacity and expertise to support such projects in competition for funding.

7. SERVICES

The Unit provides clinical diagnostic service of infectious conditions to the Students Health Service Centre, private and public institutions as well as to ongoing research projects. These includes; diagnostic services for research projects in a laboratory with a certified Quality management system (ISO 15189) (Bench Fee charged and a charge per specimen processed) and Real-time PCR Covid-19 Testing.

The Unit also provides teaching services to other Units on the following programmes:

BSc Nursing Science Part III

BSc Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Part II

BSc Health Education Promotion Part I

BSc Optometry Part III

BSc Biomedical Sciences Part II