Researcher profile

Blandina Theophil Mmbaga

Prof. Blandina Theophil Mmbaga is a distinguished physician-scientist and public health leader with over 20 years of experience in clinical research, implementation science, and global health. She currently serves as the Director of the Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute (KCRI) and Associate Professor pediatric and child health at KCMC university in Moshi, Tanzania. Prof. Mmbaga is internationally recognized for her leadership in maternal, newborn, and adolescent health research, with a focus on infectious and non-communicable disease prevention, digital health innovations, and health systems strengthening. Prof. Mmbaga holds an MD, an MMED and a PhD from the University of Bergen. She has led and collaborated on numerous multi-country research programs funded by global donors including NIH, EDCTP, EU, NIHR, MRC, CIHR, DANIDA, BMGF. She is a 2023 Fellow of African Academy of Science (FAAS). As Director of KCRI, she oversees large-scale research portfolios, capacity-building programs, and ethics oversight mechanisms. Her leadership has contributed to the development of sustainable research infrastructure and local scientific capacity in Tanzania. Experienced in leading clinical trials (IMPAACT&ACTG) CRS leader). Experience in supervising interdisciplinary teams, managing different funding mechanism, coordinating multisectoral stakeholders including government, academia, and community-based organizations. Prof. Mmbaga’s work bridges clinical care and public health impact. Her collaborative, equity-focused approach continues to shape policy and practice for improving health outcomes across Africa. Mentorship and supervision for several PhDs, MSCs, PostDocs and Fogarty Fellows and faculty. She had authored over 450 publications in communicable disease including one health, non-communicable diseases; mental health, cardiovascular and trauma and injury.