Award-winning Dr. Mkunde Chachage takes Immunology and Infectious Disease Research to the next level
By Zamda George, CMU
Dr. Mkunde Chachage perfectly resonates with the 2025 International Women’s Day theme “For all women and girls: Inclusion, Leadership, and Innovation”. A lecturer, consultant and researcher at the University of Dar es Salaam - Mbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences, she is at the forefront of ground-breaking research in HIV pathogenesis, vaccine immunology, tuberculosis (TB), COVID-19 and parasitic infections.
About her principled demeanour she notes that she does not simply follow the crowd. “I usually start my own journey. I am a calm and collected person and I have always been a teacher’s pet throughout my school life”.
Her work is not just about scientific discovery; it translates research into real-world impact improving disease prevention outcomes, shaping public health policies and training the next generation of scientists.
Leading cutting-edge research in Global Health
Dr. Chachage’s research portfolio spans multiple high-stakes areas of infectious disease immunology. She has led and collaborated in major studies investigating HIV pathogenesis and co-infections, including how filarial worms influence HIV susceptibility, Tuberculosis diagnostics and treatment outcomes.
She also works on immune markers that enhance disease monitoring, COVID-19 immunological response, leading epidemiological and virology-focused studies to assess host and viral factors in disease progression and vaccine-induced immune responses, studying why different populations react differently to immunisation.
The research she conducts has earned her international recognition and she has secured funding from prestigious global institutions.
Dr. Chachage is currently a lead investigator of several projects, including the Implementation of Superior Treatment Regimens for Neurocysticercosis in Sub-Saharan Africa and Dissecting the Effects of Filarial-Associated Immunomodulation on HIV Susceptibility (RHINO Project).
“Scientific research is as much about publishing papers as finding solutions to Africa’s biggest health challenges”, she asserts.
A versatile consultant and project leader
Beyond academia, Dr. Chachage is a sought-after consultant in immunology, public health research, and scientific training.
Her work with organisations such as NIMR-Mbeya Medical Research Centre, the University of Oxford and the National Institute for Medical Research positions her as a thought leader in global health collaborations.
“My expertise extends to managing large-scale research and training programmes that shape public health interventions, including developing tuberculosis treatment monitoring strategies through immune marker research”, she says.
Dr. Chachage also works in creating platforms for characterising premature aging in children with HIV, enhancing treatment approaches and improving cervical cancer prevention efforts through HPV research, particularly among HIV-infected women.
“My consultancy roles require balancing high-level project execution, team leadership and policy advising, showcasing my ability to deliver impact-driven solutions while handling multiple responsibilities with precision”, she explains.
Rooted in a legacy of Excellence and Advocacy
Dr. Chachage’s dedication to excellence and hard work is deeply inspired by her upbringing. "I had inspiration right here at home. My mother, Demere Kitunga, was a pillar of our family”.
She asserts that her mother is a human rights activist and was among the Tanzaniandelegates to the Beijing 1995 Women’s Conference and one of the founders of the Tanzania Gender Network Programme (TGNP).
“My mother believes in child education and self-care, and as an editor by profession, she has always been present and deeply involved in our lives”, she recalls.
Her father, the late Prof. Chachage Seithy Loth, was a Professor of Sociology at the University of Dar es Salaam and a highly respected academic. Beyond his professional achievements, Prof. Chachage was a devoted father.
“He had a demanding schedule, but he always made an effort to be involved in our lives. He was supportive of my dreams, even when I pursued paths that were not conventional”, she explains.
She adds: “While some questioned my choice of career, my father never did - he encouraged me if it made sense. They say I was daddy’s favourite child”, she laughs. “They say that, not me”, clarifies Dr. Chachage.
Dr. Chachage also shares a deep understanding with her husband, who respects and supports her career. “He understands my work and my schedule. We come from similar backgrounds—his mother was also an activist—so he knows the importance of my work and respects my time and commitments”.
Empowering the next generation of scientists
At UDSM-MCHAS, Dr. Chachage is not only an educator but a mentor who is nurturing the next generation of Tanzanian health researchers. She has successfully supervised four postgraduate students and continues to guide both master’s and PhD candidates.
Beyond formal mentorship, she leads an innovative club for undergraduate students, fostering community-based health awareness through research and advocacy.
“The future of scientific excellence lies in the hands of young minds—we must equip them with knowledge, curiosity and the confidence to solve global health challenges”, she emphasises.
Her dedication to capacity building in Tanzania’s scientific community is also evident through her guest lectures at the Nelson Mandela Institute of Science and Technology and collaborations with international research institutions in Germany, South Africa and the United States.
A leader in science and innovation and future of infectious disease research
Dr. Chachage’s contributions to science and public health have not gone unnoticed. Her accolades include Dr. Maria Kamm Best Young Woman Scientist Award, African Research Excellence Fund (AREF) Fellowship, and the African Oxford (AfOx) Collaborative Fellowship.
Other awards she has received include the International AIDS Society’s Global Fellows Research Academy Award and Affiliate of the African Academy of Science. These recognitions underscore her role as a leader in scientific excellence and an advocate for African-led research.
Dr. Chachage is also a devoted mother. “I had my first son at the right time when I wanted him—he is a charm in my life. He is seven years old now, and every day, he reminds me why I do what I do”.
As we reflect on the impact of women in science and research, Dr. Chachage’s journey is a testament to how intellect, perseverance and collaboration can shape the future of public health. Her ability to bridge research, consultancy and teaching while leading high-impact projects makes her a role model for aspiring scientists and a pillar of excellence in global health.