BIOCHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT

Dr. Heaven David Chitemo

Staff

Dr. Heaven David Chitemo is a medical doctor who graduated from the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in 2020. Her interest in Molecular Biology and the fascinating role of genetics in shaping human health, disease and response to therapies started during her medical training and was nurtured as she was enrolled as a mentee in the Avison 10x10 program under the Yonsei University of South Korea where she spent time in the Molecular Biology lab of Prof. Shin, Jeon Soo where she had her first experiences of working in a molecular lab. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she did her medical internship training at St Joseph’s Mission Hospital in Peramiho for one year after which she joined the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS) as a tutorial assistant in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology department where she worked for one year until 2023 when she was awarded the Universitas scholarship of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel to study her master’s degree in Molecular Biology namely the Interuniversity Program in Molecular Biology (IPMB) which is a joint program offered by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and Universiteit Antwerpen in Belgium. She has undergone training in the field of cell and gene therapy, and during her master’s training she has hands-on exposure to cross-cutting molecular techniques like CRISPR-Cas, determination and analysis of protein structures, plant molecular biology, molecular microbiology and parasitology. Her interests lie in the field of diagnostic molecular techniques and biotechnology as tools to enhance disease diagnosis, follow-up and therapy.

OTHER

Mr. Betrand C Msemwa

Staff

Betrand Msemwa is a dedicated and accomplished Senior Health Laboratory Scientist with a strong foundation in clinical microbiology and molecular biology. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS), where he also completed a year-long internship at Bugando Medical Centre. Following his internship, he worked on research projects and taught diploma students in the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences at CUHAS for three years. Recognizing his potential, Betrand was awarded a prestigious scholarship through the HATUA Project in collaboration with CUHAS to pursue a Master’s degree in Clinical Microbiology and Diagnostic Molecular Biology, which he successfully completed. He currently holds the position of Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at CUHAS, where his academic and research interests are centered on molecular virology. With over 13 years of professional experience, Betrand has developed deep expertise in clinical microbiology, infectious diseases and molecular biology with a particular focus on emerging and re-emerging diseases. He is a fully registered health laboratory practitioner with the Health Laboratory Practitioners Council (HLPC). In addition to his research which includes over 25 published studies, he’s is actively engaged in teaching, supervising and mentoring diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate students fostering the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals. Beyond the academic realm, Betrand has taken on key leadership roles since 2022. He serves as the General Secretary of the Medical Laboratory Scientist Association of Tanzania (MeLSAT) and as the Professional Guardian for the Lake Zone under the HLPC. He has also contributed to the development of important Medical Laboratory guidelines and regulations under the auspices of the Ministry of Health.

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