Kamunkhwala Gausi, a research intern with the Malaria Epidemiology group, has been awarded a scholarship to study for a PhD in the Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Cape Town. She will be working under the supervision of Dr Paolo Denti, an internationally known pharmacometrician and will benefit not just from his expertise but also from the expertise of the broader pharmacometrics community of collaborators, including Dr Clifford Banda and Dr Eva Maria Hodel. Her PhD will be based on a project funded by EDCTP.

The division of Clinical Pharmacology is internationally renowned for its research on drugs for malaria, TB, and HIV. The division coordinates the Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) component of several clinical trials focusing on malaria and TB/HIV treatment across Africa, and has a particular interest in characterizing drug-drug interactions, and optimizing dosing in neglected populations and establishing PK/PD relationships. With her training, Kamunkwala can contribute to the joint COM and MLW efforts to strengthening clinical trial and clinical pharmacology capacity within Malawi.

“I am delighted and humbled to have received this award. This is a prestigious opportunity to train with some of the best scientists in the field and build skills which I hope to use to make a significant impact in tackling some of diseases and their associated burden in Sub-Saharan Africa. This award not only reflects my own hard work, focus and determination, but also the support and commitment of my supervisor Dr Eva Maria Hodel who invested a lot of time throughout the application process. ” said Kamunkhwala.