Robert Philemon Tillya is a highly educated and skilled professional in the field of public health, with a diverse range of experiences and expertise. He obtained his MSc in Public Health with a specialization in Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS from the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) at Vrije University in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Prior to this, he completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Care and Management in Tropical Countries at the University of Basel, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, and a Diploma in Health Personnel Education from the Center for Educational Development in Health Arusha (CEDHA). Robert has augmented his academic qualifications with numerous advanced professional courses, covering areas such as pediatric life support, malaria management, epidemiology, and health system management.

His career has been marked by significant contributions across various domains of public health. He has extensive experience in training, particularly in malaria case management, community health, and professional health personnel education. Robert has also been deeply involved in health and human rights advocacy, research ethics, and the design and management of health programs. His proficiency extends to monitoring and evaluation, where he has evaluated health facilities, projects, and programs with precision and effectiveness. Additionally, Robert possesses a comprehensive understanding of HIV dynamics and responses, as well as medical epidemiology.

His professional journey includes roles such as site coordinator and study physician for the Joint Malaria Program, research officer for the ACCESS project, and technology coordinator for the ETATMBA project under GE-Healthcare, all of which have added depth to his expertise. He has also served as an implementation coordinator for operational research on the use of Non-Pneumatic Ant Shock Garment (NASG) in primary health facilities and has led various mHealth projects aimed at reducing pre-eclampsia and infant mortality in Tanzania. Currently, Robert holds the position of research scientist at the Ifakara Health Institute, where he also serves as Quality Improvement Coordinator and Assistant Clinical Lead for the NEST360 program in Tanzania. His dedication, knowledge, and commitment to improving public health make him a valuable asset to the field.

Robert is an active member of the Canadian Association of Global Health and contributes to the Child Health Task Force.