Dr. Annet Nakaganda, is a Clinical Officer and a Cancer Epidemiologist with expertise in conducting clinical trials and epidemiological research for cancer control. She holds a Ph.D. in medicine, a Master’s degree in public Health (with Distinction) from the University of Manchester United Kingdom, and a BSc. in Psychology from Makerere University Kampala. Dr. Nakaganda has been involved in clinical research for over 20 years now, holding numerous positions such as principal investigator, research clinician; research coordination; research governance, and research monitoring/auditing. Dr. Nakaganda's clinical research career began in the early 2000s, with clinical trials aiming at HIV Prevention of mother-child transmission (PMTCT). This research includes the seminal HIV Network for Prevention Trials (HIVNET) trial number 012, which resulted in the widespread adoption of single-dose Nevirapine, an effective, low-cost PMTCT strategy at the time. She later transitioned to cancer research, helping to establish the Uganda Cancer Institute’s Research and Training Directorate as well as the Cancer Epidemiology and Clinical Trials Unit. She has also worked to build the Uganda National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and led the harmonization of East African cancer registration guidelines and procedures. Also, Annet has extensive international exposure and has worked at the NHS Manchester Royal Infirmary Hospital on COVID-19 trials and Heamato-oncology clinical trials including CAR T-Cell therapy clinical trials. 

Dr. Nakaganda is also interested in higher education curriculum and pedagogy and has training and experience teaching at the university level. She began her teaching career in 2016 as a Teaching Associate (TA) at The University of Manchester's  Masters of Public Health Program(MPH) and at the BSc. Biomedical science course, Biochemistry of Disease unit.  Also, Annet supported the design and development of The University of Manchester's BSc. in Public Health course. She is presently a subject matter expert (SME) and lecturer on the MSc. Clinical Research and MSc. Public Health and Health Promotion curricula at the iHeed-University of Warwick. She also teaches Research Ethics and Good Clinical Practice and has taught over 600 researchers in Research Ethics through around 50 in-country training. Annet has received numerous accolades and has been published in peer-reviewed international journals and conferences.

 Her recent and ongoing work focuses on expanding best practices for cancer research and control and exploring novel approaches for accelerating the timely availability/utilization of locally generated evidence/data to direct cancer control efforts in low-resource settings. Her specialties include:

1. Clinical trials

2. Evidence-based practice

3. Cancer Epidemiology

4. Cancer surveillance, registration, and survivorship

5. Cancer control

6. Higher Education Curriculum and Pedagogy

Email: annetnakaganda@accruganda.org

Dr. Fred Okuku is a consultant oncologist and a senior cancer researcher based at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI). Dr. Okuku has held significant leadership roles in cancer research since the 2000s when he became a research investigator with the UCI/Hutchinson Center Cancer Alliance and a principal investigator for the ACTG/AIDS Malignancy Consortium (AMC) studies at Uganda Cancer Institute. His long-term commitment to cancer research has led to the reorganization of the UCI Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) to its current structure, a task facilitated by skills acquired during the 20 years of experience in cancer Clinical trials. He specializes in breast and prostate cancers as well as HIV-associated malignancies, where he has studied the epidemiology of these cancers in Uganda and developed safe and effective methods to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat these cancers.

Email: fred.okuku@uci.or.ug

DR. KASADHAKAWO WAISWA MUSA 

Dr. Kasadhakawo is currently a physician at the Central Bank Clinic where some of his roles are to provide clinical services to patients in a timely manner and appropriate referral of patients, Follow-up referred patients in hospitals or at home, Counseling patients, Participate in the general administration of the medical department, His a training Liaison officer concerned with scheduling training for different medical staff, Provide technical support to laboratory technologists. As a Ministry of Health accredited continuous professional development (CPD) provider, his involved in signing off staff with regards to CPD hours obtained for purposes of renewal of Annual Practicing Licenses, Offering free hematology consultations to bank patients, Work plan formulation and budgeting, Strategy implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation activities and Performance Appraisal of Medical Staff Members

Community Activities at the Central Bank Clinic:

·   Planning for institutional corporate social responsibility activities like renovation and equipping of upcountry health centers

·   Recommendation to central bank management for community members seeking financial support for medical related expenses both in Uganda and overseas mainly for cancer care and heart-related complications

He has also worked as a Physician/Hematologist for Mulago National Referral Hospital where he Headed Hematology unit (2010-2012) involved in clinical care, teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate students. The young doctors were then deployed in rural areas to treat patients in hard-to-reach areas and bridge the high doctor-patient ratio gaps. Supervising research projects for postgraduate students, International Outreach Program  Coordinator for Makerere-McMaster University collaboration, where he was involved in scheduling visits for international professors and students, from the USA and Canada, organizing their clinical rotations onwards and appraising both students and visiting professors on performance.

He was also a medical officer at Kyenjojo District Local Government where he conducted community sensitizations and Health Education to create awareness about HIV/AIDS through local leaders, religious leaders, and political leaders, this encouraged the community to test for HIV/AIDS, many clients were identified and started on anti-retroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS. This prevented deaths and the resulting child-headed families and double orphans. Trained Muslims across 17 mosques within Kyenjojo district on the use of Local anesthesia in conducting male medical circumcision; this helped improve healing as surgery was pain-free and safely done, Implemented the global vaccine initiative program of the Ministry of Health that led to transition from the triple vaccine to the Pentavalent vaccine to include vaccination against hepatitis B and Influenza in children in 2003 that had claimed so many lives. He also has over 11 publications.

Ziyada Babirye is a Research fellow, Psychologist, and Medical Clinician with over 10 years of practical experience in research and clinical work and an excellent reputation for resolving problems and improving beneficiary/client satisfaction.

 Ziyada's incredible journey, a lively and accomplished person who has made a lasting impact on the healthcare industry. Her career as a clinical officer, community psychologist, and health services researcher has been marked by tenacity, empathy, and tireless dedication to enhancing healthcare and community well-being. 

 Ziyada investigates the connection between community dynamics and mental health in her work as a community psychologist. She provides an in-depth understanding of the significant influence social elements have on people's well-being. She has conducted healthcare economic evaluation studies involving preterm care, Multi-country studies involving Covid-19 assessment, Health worker incentives during the pandemic response, Infection Prevention and control practices for Ebola, and HIV, and community health worker studies among others. When designing interventions to address the underlying causes of health inequalities, she immerses herself in various communities, embracing their own strengths and problems.

 She is seasoned in bridging the gap between clinical practice and research as her contributions to research are recognized. She holds excellent qualitative and quantitative research skills including data analysis and points out her aptitude for smoothly converting scientific discoveries into observable advancements in patient care. Her research-backed programs encourage collaboration in healthcare by empowering both patients and community people.

 She has written and published articles in prestigious journals and the contributions she has made to the creation of healthcare policies. Her work is well-regarded in the academic community, and her dedication to front-line clinical work keeps her in touch with the essence of healthcare.

 She has a positive influence on her patient's lives and the communities she supports. Her community engagement activities and patient-centered methodology promote trust and long-lasting transformation. 

 She embraces her role as a mentor and educator as her influence grows. Her mentoring gives others the skills they need to continue her compassion and evidence-based medicine legacy.

 Ziyada’s career trajectory from caring clinical officer to trailblazing community psychologist to renowned health systems researcher is evidence of the transformational impact of commitment and empathy in healthcare. Her unwavering dedication to treatment, research, and community empowerment inspires medical professionals worldwide.

 Email: babirye37@gmail.com