The Unit of Medical Microbiology was established on 1 October 1968 at the Main Campus of the then University College of Southern Rhodesia under the Chairmanship of Professor J. G. Cruickshank with Mr Frank L. Golding as the Chief Technologist. It consists of four sections namely Virology, Parasitology, Bacteriology and Mycology but has evolved to include Molecular Biology and Vaccinology. It is located in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Old Building's First floor within Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals Building.  Currently the Unit is headed by Prof RT Mavenyengwa.

Coordinator / Associate Professor

PROFESSOR ROOYEN TINAGO MAVENYENGWA

Qualifications: BSc (H) Biological Sciences. (UZ); MSc Medical Microbiology. (UZ); DPhil. Molecular Microbiology (Norwegian Univ. of Scie & Tech, Trondheim, Norway);  Grad CE (UZ).

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Prof Rooyen T Mavenyengwa joined the College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Department of Medical Microbiology in 2002. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences, MSc Med. Micro., in addition to a Post Graduate Certificate in Education all from both from the University of Zimbabwe. He did his DPhil at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway in 2012.

He is the first African Scholar to utilise molecular techniques to characterize Group B streptococcus (GBS) which causes infections in pregnant women and children. His other research interests include antibiotic resistance testing, HIV and AIDS, hepatitis B virus and other viruses of public health importance, Transfusion Transmissible infections (TTIs), Cryptococccus, tuberculosis (TB) and gastrointestinal infections. One of his main research highlights includes the discovery of the new surface-anchored protein in GBS called the “Z” protein. He has published a book on the molecular characterization of GBS in addition to publishing at least 25 publications in peer reviewed journals and presented scientific research work at local, regional and international conferences and symposia around the globe. He has worked as visiting scholar at the Namibia University of Science and Technology as a Deputy Head of Biomedical Sciences Department in 2013-14 where he was given researcher of the year award in the Faculty of Health Sciences. He mainly teaches Medical Bacteriology and Molecular Biology to undergraduate and postgraduate students in various medical related programmes and coordinates the training of the HIV Rapid testing course. He is the Head of the UZ National Virology Laboratory a WHO accredited and funded Laboratory for the diagnostic and active surveillance of Measles, Rubella, Polio and Rotavirus. He is the current and inaugural American Society of Medical Microbiology (ASM) Country Ambassador. Professor Mavenyengwa has received other numerous academic, research and travel awards in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Medical Microbiology scientific research.

 

Academic Staff Members

 

Professor Exnevia Gomo

Qualifications: PhD (Denmark); MSc (UK), Diploma (Denmark), Cert (UK)

Current Research and Publications

1. a) Current Research
2. i) Traditional Medicine – Health Systems Research, Preclinical and clinical evaluation of traditional medicines
3. ii) Malnutrition-infection complex with emphasis on immunology

iii)        HIV and co-infections with emphasis on perinatal/adolescent infection, epidemiology and immunology

 

Professor Lovemore Gwanzur

Qualifications: BSc ( Zambia) , M. Phil medicine ( Zimbabwe) DPhil (Utrecht  Holland), M Med SC (Australia), MPhil (UZ),  ZAS (FELLOW)

Current Research and Publications

1. Molecular biology (Genetics Genomics Micro biome, Research)
2. Basic Microbiology research (Bacteriology, Parasitology, Molecular

                 Biology, Immunology and Serological),

3. Clinical epidemiology -environmental Studies, surveillance and of Infectious

                  diseases, Emerging NCDs and Opportunistic infections Diseases.

4. Health systems strengthening Research
5. Communicable diseases ( STI HIV, TB, Cholera, Covid-19.MALARIA Etc
6. Non-Communicable diseases. (Cancer, Chronic diseases Traditional herbal. Medicine and Drug discovery

 

Professor Arthur Mandisodza

Qualifications: MSc: Pathology – Haematology/Clinical Chemistry (Ohio State University,    Columbus, Ohio, USA), BSc: Med Tech (University of Charleston, Charleston West Virginia, USA)

Current Research and Publications

Research in Progress

1. Frequency distribution of ABO and Rhesus blood groups among pregnant women attending Mbuya Nehanda Maternal Hospital
2. Significance of Reticulocyte Haemoglobin (Ret-He) as a Screening tool for Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Zimbabwe.
3. Haematological Features of Renal Patients on Haemodialysis in Zimbabwe
4. Haematological and Haemostatic Manifestations in Patients with Covid-19.
5. The Significance of Immunophenotyping in the diagnosis of Leukaemia in Zimbabwe

Manuscripts Currently Being Written

1. Association of malaria infection with O blood group
2. Pre-analytical Errors leading to sample rejection and its effects on

             patient outcomes.

3. BOOK: “A Textbook of Haematology- 7 Chapters completed”.

            ONGOING!!

1. Risks for ABO and Rhesus HDN in Zimbabwe

 

Dr Aaron Maramba

Qualifications: Doctorate in Biomedical Science with special focus on haematology and blood transfusion (University of West of England. UK), M.Sc. Biomedical Science (Anglia Ruskin University, UK), Specialist Diploma in Haematology and Immunohaetology (UZ), DMLT (UZ).

Current Research and Publications

Molecular and genomic patterns of haematological malignancies in Zimbabwe.

 

Dr Tavonga Danai Zhou

Qualifications: Current-Postdoctoral Fellow, Pharmacogenomics, (SUNY UB, USA & BRTI, Zimbabwe), Graduated PhD Medical Biochemistry (UiO, Norway) (2017); MSc Clinical Chemistry (UZ) (2006); BSc Hons Applied Biology/Biochemistry (NUST) (1997), Zimbabwe National Technician’s Certificate in Science Laboratory Technology (Bulawayo Polytechnic, Zimbabwe) (1989).

1. a)   Current Research and Publications

                   Current Research

1. i) Postdoctoral Project title: A Pharmacogenomic Study of Dolutegravir-Based Antiretroviral Drugs
2. ii) Research Development Fellows Project: Impacting Health and Well-Being of Infants in LMIC by Strengthening Gut Microbiome Research in Zimbabwe

  iii)      Collaborative Research Projects

• African Excellence in Research Initiative: Zimbabwe Gender in STEMM
•  Viral surveillance and discovery in Zimbabwe
•  The Dolutegravir Pharmacovigilance study

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Technical and Support Staff

Office Manager

Farirai Kaseke

Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Degree in Sociology and Gender Development Studies, Certificate in Research Methods

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Technical Assistant

Chenayi Ruzvidzo-Musarurwa

 

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Sciences Honours Degree Programme.

Courses

First year

In the first year, students study courses that are designed to give them an understanding of the normal structure, chemistry and function of the human and microbial systems.  Students are also introduced to principles of analysis and laboratory techniques used in clinical laboratories.  The following courses are taught in the first year: -

HMLS 101      Cell Biology

HMLS 102      Genetics and Molecular Biology

HMLS 103      Laboratory Principles

HMLS 104      Biochemistry

HMLS 105      Microbiology

HMLS 106      Histology

HMLS 107      Blood Transfusion Science and Immunology

LAIC 101

SSMEH 101

SDLS 101

Second year

The second year courses concentrate on techniques and procedures for the qualitative and quantitative investigations carried out in clinical laboratories.  There is a wide coverage of the techniques and procedures the students are faced with during their laboratory attachment in the third year.  The students are also introduced to experimental design and data analysis as well as laboratory management.  The following courses are taught in the second year: -

HMLS 204      Biochemical Techniques

HMLS 205      Microbiological Techniques

HMLS 206      Histological Techniques

HMLS 207      Blood Transfusion Science and Immunological Techniques

HMLS 208      Haematological Techniques

HMLS 209      Biostatistics and Research Methodology

HMLS 210      Laboratory Management Systems

Third year

An important aspect of the training is the requirement for students to gain clinical laboratory experience.  In the third year, students are seconded to approved clinical laboratories in Zimbabwe so that they gain practical laboratory experience in all disciplines of medical laboratory sciences.  Students also acquire interpersonal, communication and management skills during the attachment period.  To assess the students’ competences, discipline specific log-books are completed by work-based supervisors during the rotations. The following course is offered in the third year: -

HMLS 390      Laboratory attachment

Fourth Year

The fourth year courses concentrate on the study of the disease processes, their causes and intervention. There is also consolidation of the knowledge gained by students during the third year laboratory attachment on interpretation of laboratory data. In addition, all students carry out a substantial laboratory-based research project in consultation with the academic staff.  The following courses are covered in the fourth year: -

HMLS 404      Biochemistry

HMLS 405      Microbiology

HMLS 406      Histology

HMLS 407      Blood Transfusion Science and Immunology

HMLS 408      Haematology

HMLS 460      Research Project

1. ii) Entry Requirements

The prospective candidate must normally satisfy the general entry requirements of the University of Zimbabwe for undergraduate degrees.  To qualify for consideration for admission, a prospective candidate must normally have:-

• Passes at Ordinary Level (or approved equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics;
• Passes at Advanced Level (or approved equivalent) in Chemistry and any two of the following three subjects:-

                  Biology

                  Mathematics

                  Physics

                 The subject not offered at “A” Level must normally have been passed at “O” Level.

iii)        Career Prospects

There is a great demand for medical laboratory scientists in both the public and private sector.  The majority of the graduates in medical laboratory sciences begin their career in clinical and veterinary laboratories.  Besides employment in clinical and veterinary laboratories, there are many other career opportunities.  Medical laboratory scientists also work in industry for companies manufacturing a wide range of products e.g. food and pharmaceutical industries.  Some of the laboratories where medical laboratory scientists are employed are:-

• Government and Private Clinical Laboratories
• Veterinary Laboratories
• Scientific Research Laboratories
• Industrial Laboratories e.g. Chemical, Food, Pharmaceutical
• Teaching and Research Laboratories at Universities and Technical Colleges
• Private Laboratories

Medical Laboratory Scientists are also employed as technical sales representatives and product specialists for companies that manufacture or distribute laboratory equipment, reagents, media, etc.

1. iv) Duration

The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Sciences Honours degree programme requires full-time attendance over a minimum of four years.