Sufia Dadabhai, PhD, MHS
– Country Director

Dr. Dadabhai is the JHP Country Director and Clinical Research Site Leader (CRS), based full-time in Blantyre, Malawi. She is originally from California, USA and is Research Faculty in the Department of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her research has explored the use of national HIV behavioral and serological surveys to validate HIV program data and to monitor HIV care and treatment in high burden countries. She has more than 14 years of on-the-ground experience in sub-Saharan Africa, working with multiple stakeholders to design and implement clinical trials, prospective cohorts, implementation science studies and capacity-building workshops. She has chaired multiple multi-site protocols, and advising and mentoring public health students and young investigators is her passion. She co-chairs the Scientific Capacity Building Working Group for the HIV Vaccine Trials Networks (Fred Hutch, Seattle, USA). Dr. Dadabhai is responsible for overall oversight of the Project’s scientific and technical infrastructure and agenda, which includes both IND and non-IND studies, and for leading staff in the ethical and efficient conduct of research. She fosters longstanding research partnerships while welcoming new collaborations.

Luis A. Gadama, FCOG (SA), MMed O&G (UCT), DTM&H (Glasgow), MBBS (Mw)
– Deputy Country Director

Dr. Gadama is an Associate Professor in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) in Malawi, and JHP is a long-time research affiliate of KUHeS. He currently serves as a site Principal Investigator for multiple maternal and newborn research studies at JHP. He brings a wealth of experience from his current position as Head of Department for O&G. Dr. Gadama is a specialist, teacher, mentor, researcher and a leader with vision.

Dalitso Ngwalo, MBA
– Chief Operating Officer

Dalitso has broad overall administrative and management oversight for the operational functions of JHP Research in Malawi. With over 21 years of experience in the field, he has worked extensively in both Malawi and Tanzania, contributing to projects and programs across various Eastern and Southern African countries. Dalitso brings a wealth of expertise in managing day-to-day operations, project management, grants administration, human resources, procurement, ICT, financial oversight, and general leadership. His dedication and vision drive the success of our clinical research initiatives.

Ozzie Mdatinji Banda, FCCA
– Chief Accountant

Ozzie is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK) and a Certified Accountant professional registered in Malawi with ICAM (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi). Ozzie has a wealth of vast experience of over 25 years in Grants Financial Management and leadership mostly in the International NGO sector obtained in Malawi, West Africa and Asia. She is also a certified USAID Grants Manager and TOT. Ozzie aspires to provide finance leadership that ensures standards of excellence. She promotes an environment of innovation, empowerment and responsible stewardship throughout the business unit.

Dean Kamangadazi Soko, MSc
– Laboratory Manager

Mr. Soko is the Lab Manager and is responsible for the overall management of the Johns Hopkins Research Project Laboratory, which is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). He holds a MSc in Immunology of Infectious Diseases obtained from the University of London, School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He is a member of the Laboratory Technologist Committee (LTC), an International Lab Membership body responsible for writing Laboratory Processing Documents used by international laboratories for multiple HIV clinical trials. Mr. Soko is also a member of the Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) whose aim is to foster collaborative and interdisciplinary research, and support HIV research career development of young investigators. He also serves as a part-time Lecturer in the Department of Medicine, Postgraduate HIV Diploma Students Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, in Blantyre, Malawi.

Nellie Manjandimo
– Office Manager

Nellie brings over 21 years of dedicated service to JHP and currently serves as the Office Manager. With a deep understanding of our operational landscape, she is responsible for human resource administration, ensuring that our team is supported and empowered to excel. In addition to her HR responsibilities, Nellie manages administrative logistics, streamlining processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness across the organization. Her unwavering commitment to excellence, combined with her extensive experience, makes Nellie an invaluable asset to JHP. Her proactive approach and meticulous attention to detail foster a productive and positive work environment, significantly contributing to our mission of conducting high-quality research.

Felluna Chauwa
– Study Coordinator

Felluna has passion for implementation science with focus on data utilization. She has led execution of numerous complex quantitative and qualitative research studies including cohort clinical trials, program evaluation and behavioral studies. She is currently championing an implementation evaluation project for acceleration of oral and injectable Pre-exposure prophylaxis of HIV AIDS which has both quantitative and qualitative aspects of implementation science. Felluna has comprehensively contributed to generation of evidenced based information pieces that have informed programmatic interventions and promoted data use by working closely with Ministry of Health, CDC and program teams. Among other commitments Felluna serves 2 international committees (Site Management Committee and Comorbidities Transformative Science Group) of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG). With this, Felluna has have contributed to development and review of several international network protocols, amendments, clarification memos and study tools. Felluna is a highly motivated, positive minded citizen with an enthusiastic drive for achievements.