Dr. Francis Mhimbira is a Senior Research Scientist specializing in Intervention and Clinical Trials, based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. With a rich educational background, he holds a medical degree from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, a Masters of Epidemiology from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Basel, Switzerland.

His journey into the field of epidemiology and TB research began over a decade ago when he served as a Medical Officer at Kibong'oto National TB Hospital from 2006 to 2011. Since 2012, Dr. Mhimbira has been a pivotal figure at the Ifakara Health Institute, where he currently serves as a Senior Research Scientist.

He successfully completed his PhD in Epidemiology at the University of Basel in 2017 and has authored over 40 peer-reviewed papers, collaborating with various partners to contribute to the scientific understanding of tuberculosis. Additionally, he has played a crucial role in supervising two Masters students and mentoring two junior investigators, empowering them to lead or co-lead projects in the field of TB research.

Currently, Dr. Mhimbira's focus lies on furthering scientific knowledge and product development in the fight against tuberculosis. He aims to mentor an additional five junior investigators to lead projects, continue making significant contributions to science through publications, and actively participate in consortia dedicated to the development of TB drugs and vaccines.

His dedication to advancing TB research is evident in his involvement as a Principal Investigator in several groundbreaking clinical trials, including studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of novel interventions such as VPM1002 in newborn infants and different doses of Sutezolid in combination with other drugs for the treatment of pulmonary TB.

Furthermore, Dr. Mhimbira has made substantial contributions to TB epidemiology and diagnostics through projects like the Tuberculosis Cohort Study in the Dar es Salaam region (TB-DAR), where he serves as Co-Principal Investigator. His commitment to improving TB control strategies and his leadership in clinical trials continue to have a profound impact on the global effort to combat tuberculosis.