Our Team
AiBST is a team of dynamic individuals with a shared passion for impactful public heath solutions. Our dedicated employees bring energy, fresh ideas and pride to their work. We think big and work hard. We strive for excellence in everyday interactions. The spirit of collaboration has seen us be part of a global research ecosystem that aims for better health and well being for all.
Prof. Collen Masimirembwa
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICERProf. Collen Masimirembwa is a Biomedical Pharmacologist with research expertise in Pharmaceutical and Genomic Medicine. He graduated with a BSc Hons degree in Biochemistry and a DPhil in Biochemistry from the University of Zimbabwe and a PhD in Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. After a postdoctoral fellowship at Uppsala University, he spent 10 years working as a Principal Scientist at AstraZeneca Pharmaceutical company in Sweden before establishing the African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology. Collen has made important discoveries in genomics that are of clinical relevance to the safe and efficacious use of medicines in African populations. As a research leader, he has attracted major research grants from funding organizations and pharmaceutical industry. Collen has always combined innovative research with capacity building with respect to infrastructure and skilled manpower. For his contributions to Science he has won many national and international awards, fellowship to academies of science and professorships at many prestigious universities.
Dr. Justen Manasa
HEAD, DIAGNOSTICSDr. Justen Manasa is a Molecular Virologist registered with the Medical Laboratory and Clinical Scientist Council of Zimbabwe (MLCSCZ) as a clinical scientist. He has more than ten years international experience in molecular diagnostics, viral evolution and bioinformatics. His interests are leveraging advances in genomic technologies to provide innovative healthcare solution in resource-limited settings. He has postdoctoral training from Stanford University in California, USA and University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban South Africa. His undergraduate and masters are from University of Zimbabwe and PhD from University of KwaZulu-Natal. He has previously worked as an Associate Director at AiBST and as a medical laboratory scientist for the public health laboratories in Harare, Zimbabwe. He is also currently a senior lecturer in medical microbiology and the chairperson of the division pathology at the University of Zimbabwe’s College of Health Sciences
Dr. Roslyn Thelingwani
DMPK & BAC AND HEAD OF FORENSIC SCIENCEDr Roslyn Thelingwani is a preclinical Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) scientist with research focus in the area of antiparasitic drugs and neglected diseases. She has more than 10 years experience in the area. She trained as a biochemist the University of Zimbabwe where she did he undergraduate and master’s degrees in Biochemistry and Biotechnology respectively. She then received her PhD from the University of Cape Town South Africa. Besides her research, she has supported many clinical trials and preclinical projects with bioanalysis on either the HPLC or mass spectrometer. She has also led a team that set-up the first DNA testing center in Zimbabwe at the African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology. Other notable achievements include the set- up of the state of the art bioanalytical laboratory and ADME toolkit for screening new drug candidates for safety and ADME liabilities, again the first of its kind in Zimbabwe. A dedicated scientist and mother of two, Dr Thelingwani believes the sky is the limit and her ambition is expanding the Forensic Services and bioanalytical laboratory to a capacity that is able to support national and regional needs. She is currently a Global Health and Equity Scholar where she has received a grant to support her research on the safety and efficacy of praziquantel when co-administered with antiretroviral drugs, and the implications on mass drug administration programs. She has also received a supporting grant from The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) for the same study.D