Research
ELLAH BANDA NYAMBE
Biomedical Scientist
Lusaka
Summary
Experienced Biomedical Scientist with a Master's degree in Public Health, offering 20 years of expertise in laboratory work and research, managing donor-funded health programs, particularly within HIV and TB prevention, testing, and care for pediatrics, adolescents and adults. Deputy Lab Manager for 7 years, proven leader with great and detail-oriented observation skills. Goal-oriented with calm and focused demeanor in all situations. Support program scale-up, and improve outcomes for vulnerable children and adolescents.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
ACOE Deputy Lab Manager
University Teaching Hospital HIV/AIDS Program – CDC Funded
2012.10 - Current
- Implement and manage Quality Management System for the Adult Center of Excellence (A.C.O.E) Laboratory
- Play a key role as the Safety Officer, ensuring compliance with biosafety and biosecurity standards
- Conduct laboratory quality control procedures to ensure accurate and reliable results
- Execute the handling and preparation of specimens for laboratory analysis
- Manage the receiving, storing, and processing of samples for Drug Resistance (D.R) Testing
- Conduct sample processing and testing for clinical and research purposes, contributing to ongoing projects, ensuring accuracy and reliability
- Authorization of results using the DISA-Lab system
- Engage in mentorship programs in Provincial Hospitals ART third line clinic, sharing expertise and knowledge
- Coordinate the ordering of laboratory reagents and consumables, optimizing inventory management
- Actively participate in departmental meetings and other assigned gatherings
- Prepare comprehensive and accurate monthly laboratory reports
- Utilize PANTHER equipment for examining and analyzing specimens, particularly for HIV Viral load, Covid-19 and HIV-1 detection using Dry Blood Spot (D.B.S) for infants
- Trained in the operation of CAPCTM machine and effectively utilized the equipment for processing specimens for HIV viral load and HIV-1 detection of infants.
Biomedical Technologist
University Teaching Hospital –Ministry of Health
2012.02 - 2012.07
- I did voluntary work at Virology Laboratory
- My duties and responsibilities included: Performing Internal Quality Control
- CD4 testing using both BD FACSCount and FACSCalibur
- HIV Testing using Determine and Unigold
- RPR Testing
- Hepatitis B Testing
- Temperature monitoring
- Entering of patients CD4 results using EPI info laboratory system.
Laboratory Technical Officer
Tuberculosis Control Assistance Program - Research Institute of Tuberculosis/ Japan Anti Tuberculosis Association (TBCAP-RIT/JATA)- USAID Funded
2006.10 - 2010.09
- Planned and budgeted laboratory activities to be undertaken by the program in the fiscal year, aligning with the National TB Program plans
- Supported activities of other partners within TBCAP in Zambia such as Family Health International (FHI) and World Health Organization (WHO), focusing on Laboratory Strengthening
- Assisted in the implementation of EQA Smear Microscopy in the Northern Zone of Zambia
- Provided technical support to the Ministry of Health through the National Reference TB Laboratory (CDL), with the main emphasis on the TB Quality Assurance Program
- Facilitated workshops organized by the Ministry of Health (MoH) in the areas of Quality Assurance in TB and Acid-fast Bacilli Smear microscopy with the view of increasing case detection rate
- Offered technical support to Luapula, Northern, Copperbelt, Central, and Northwestern Provinces (TBCAP target provinces) during quarterly External Quality Assessment (EQA) Supervisory visits
- Supported in the planning of National TB Laboratory activities in line with the National TB program
- Provided technical support to the Tuberculosis National Reference Laboratory when needed, especially with TB smear microscopy, media making, setting of TB drug susceptibility testing, and creating panel testing smears for EQA nationwide
- Participated in the development of National TB Laboratory documents, including Standard Operating Procedures, Trainers Manual, Internal Quality Control Manuals, and the revision of the Quality Assurance manual
- Attended provincial Quarterly TB review meetings in the 5 TBCAP target Provinces
- Assisted in editing National TB Laboratory documents
- Wrote monthly and quarterly reports on behalf of JATA HQ to the Program Director.
Biomedical Technologist
HIV/AIDS and TB control Project - JICA Funded Program
2004.05 - 2006.04
- Routine AFB smear microscopy
- TB Culture on Lowenstein Jensen Media (LJ)
- TB Culture on Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT)
- TB Drug Susceptibility Test using MGIT
- Making of Lowenstein Jensen media (LJ)
- Participated in the quarterly program of Eternal Quality Assessment for Lusaka Province (all health centers doing TB smear microscopy)
- Writing of the TB EQA quarterly Reports
- Writing of the Annual Reports on TB activities
- TB EQA Data Management for the project
- Organizing and Facilitating at Acid Fast Bacilli/EQA workshops organized by UTH TB laboratory with support from JICA Zambia.
Intern
University Teaching Hospital - Hospital Replacements
2003.01 - 2003.06
- Biomedical Sciences 3rd year student
- Did a six months hospital replacement
- Went through all the 5 main laboratories at UTH
- These included: Hematology and Blood Banking, Microbiology, Parasitology, Virology, Chemistry laboratory.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Sciences
Levy Mwanawasa Medical University
Lusaka, Zambia12.2023
Master's Degree - Public Health
University of Lusaka
Lusaka, Zambia06.2018
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Technology
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Diploma - Biomedical Sciences
Evelyn Hone College
GCE Certificate - undefined
Chamboli Secondary School
Skills
Program coordination
Affiliations
Health Professions Council of Zambia
Studies
- Virological Impact of Switching from Efavirenz and Nevirapine based first line ART Regimens to Dolutegravir (VISEND), 2019, University Teaching Hospital Adult Centre of Excellence, Lusaka, Zambia
- Probabilistic Baseline Prediction of TDF-associated Nephrotoxicity among ART-naïve Zambian Adults initiating treatment with TDF, 2020
- Identification of Long-Covid Sub-Phenotypes to Optimize Patient Outcomes, University Teaching Hospital Adult Centre of Excellence, Lusaka, Zambia
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 04/19/80
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: Zambian
- Marital Status: Married
- Religion: Christian
Nrc No
361108/67/1
References
- Professor Lloyd B .Mulenga, National Infectious Diseases Director, Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia, +260977344604 , +16156356696, lbmulenga@gmail.com, Mulenga@moh.gov.zm
- Dr. Duncan Chanda, Director Adult Centre of Excellence, University Teaching Hospital HIV & AIDS Program, Lusaka, +260972096312, duncanchanda@icloud.com
- Dr. Seraphine Kaminsa, Senior Tuberculosis Technical Advisor, Save the Children, Dept. of Global Health, Lusaka, +260969315547, Seraphine.Kaminsa@savethechildren.org
Training
- Project Management, Feb 2024, Jasperstone College of Applied Sciences and Technology
- Monitoring & Evaluation, Feb 2024, Jasperstone College of Applied Sciences and Technology
- 01/20/24, Global Health eLearning Center/USAID
- Adolescent HIV Management, 01/19/24, PEPFAR/MoH
- Asante HIV-1 Rapid test for Recent testing, 03/17/21
- Antimicrobial Resistance (part 1), 11/12/21, Global Health eLearning Center/USAID
- Panther Operation, 01/27/20
- ISO 15189:2012 Quality Management Systems, 09/03/18
- First Aid, CPR and AED, 07/23/18
- Zambia HIV tests logistics system, 01/25/16
- Biosecurity and Biosafety, 01/01/15
- 05/05/14
- Acid Fast Bacilli /Eternal Quality Assessment Smear microscopy
- Fluorescence smear microscopy
- TB management in resource limited countries 2008, International Union for Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Paris, France
- Improving TB laboratory in countries with high burdens of HIV and TB Co – infections, 12/07/07, Kampala, Uganda
- Strengthening acid fast smear microscopy External Quality Assessment programs
- User operations and basic maintenance of Olympus Cx 31 microscope with Fraen LED Fluorescence System
Interests
Traveling
Reading scientific literature
Timeline
ACOE Deputy Lab Manager
University Teaching Hospital HIV/AIDS Program – CDC Funded
2012.10 - Current
Biomedical Technologist
University Teaching Hospital –Ministry of Health
2012.02 - 2012.07
Laboratory Technical Officer
Tuberculosis Control Assistance Program - Research Institute of Tuberculosis/ Japan Anti Tuberculosis Association (TBCAP-RIT/JATA)- USAID Funded
2006.10 - 2010.09
Biomedical Technologist
HIV/AIDS and TB control Project - JICA Funded Program
2004.05 - 2006.04
Intern
University Teaching Hospital - Hospital Replacements
2003.01 - 2003.06
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Sciences
Levy Mwanawasa Medical University
Master's Degree - Public Health
University of Lusaka
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Technology
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Diploma - Biomedical Sciences
Evelyn Hone College
GCE Certificate - undefined
Chamboli Secondary School
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 14 staff members.
- Achieved reduced turn around time for HIV Viral load and Early infant HIV diagnosis by introducing cover up shift to push the work period from 8hrs to 15hrs.
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