Dr. Masauso Moses Phiri

I am an early career researcher with a PhD in Biochemistry, conferred by the North-West University (Potchefstroom, South Africa) in October 2019. In addition, I hold a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, an honors degree and MSc in Biochemistry and Chemical Pathology. I currently serve as a Lecturer and Research Fellow at the University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Microbiology where I teach Chemical Pathology to medical students. I am currently pursuing a Clinical Research and Development Fellow (2021/22) funded by the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (WHO/TDR) and was placed at the European Vaccine Initiative in Heidelberg, Germany. The goal of the fellowship is to learn various aspects of vaccine research and development from antigen discovery to preclinical studies and clinical trials, as well as managing vaccine-related projects. Examples of the projects I have been involved in at EVI include developing a vaccine candidate for Shigella and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, investigating a new asexual blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate, COVID-19 related vaccine work, and a project on innovation for vaccine development. My research focuses on research and development for health intervention solutions, such as developing and evaluating rapid diagnostic assays, and vaccine research and development. I have interests in neglected infectious diseases and the emerging diseases.