The Southern Africa Research Capacity Network recruits PhD scholars

We’re excited to introduce the cohort of PhD scholars recruited through the Southern Africa Research Capacity Network (SOFAR). These six outstanding early-career researchers, selected from across southern Africa (Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique), will pursue doctoral studies at leading universities, tackling health challenges that matter most in the African region.

Their projects span a wide range of urgent issues—from maternal and neonatal health to infectious diseases and mental health—each grounded in real-world impact and responsive to local needs. Beyond their academic work, these scholars are joining a dynamic, cross-country network of mentors, peers, and institutions committed to transforming research ecosystems and building leadership for health equity.

SOFAR, believes that investing in Early Career researchers is key to shifting power, centering African expertise, and fostering sustainable solutions from the ground up. This milestone marks more than individual success—it signals the beginning of a collective journey toward stronger, more resilient health systems powered by homegrown knowledge.

The scholars and their research include:

• JayJay Karumazondo (Zimbabwe): JayJay’s research explores the meanings and experiences of well-being among adolescents, focusing on what it means to 'feel good.'

• Fiona Gambanga (Zimbabwe): Fiona’s study will investigate the role of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in the development of chronic hypertension in young adults.

• Emilia Juceline Eugénio de Carvalho Fumane (Mozambique): Emilia's research will evaluate the One-Stop Approach for newly diagnosed HIV cases treated within the TB program in Maputo.

• Denise Milice (Mozambique): Denise's study will assess the burden of TB-T2D comorbidity in the country by

• Richard Mwape (Zambia): Richard’s study will focus on validating the role of respiratory mucosal biomarkers as a diagnostic tool for respiratory tract infections in children

• Sombo Fwoloshi (Zambia): Sombo’s study will focus on Optimizing the Management of Bloodstream Infections in LMICs: An Epidemiological and Implementation Science Approach to Improve Utilization of Bacteriology Services and Clinical Decision-Making for Hospitalized Patients with Bloodstream Infections analyzing the health system's readiness to address this syndemic at macro, meso,and micro levels and understanding the healthcare needs of affected individuals.

  
  

About SOFAR

SOFAR is a collaborative research initiative designed to empower early- and mid-career researchers in Africa to tackle infectious disease challenges. The program provides training for MSc, PhD, and postdoctoral fellows from Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique using innovative methods such as blended learning, split-site doctorates, and digital platforms.

A Collaborative Effort

SOFAR is a partnership between two leading European institutions—Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich (LMU) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)—and three African research institutions:

• Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI), Harare, Zimbabwe

• Zambart at the University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

• Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INS), Maputo, Mozambique

This collaboration fosters a dynamic and supportive research environment where scholars can excel.

Funding and Support

The SOFAR project is funded by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP3) under the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking (Project No. 101145636).

To learn more about our SOFAR fellows and their research, visit our SOFAR Fellows Page.