charmaine matimba

I am a highly organised, detail-oriented research science professional with strong time management, communication, and analytical thinking. I’m committed to supporting global health and infectious disease programmes by generating data-driven insights that improve intervention strategies.

As Lead Programme Scientist at Africa University Malaria Institute, I oversee and coordinate laboratory operations to ensure efficient workflows and high-quality outputs. I lead and mentor lab staff, maintain strict safety standards, deliver molecular assays and morphological identification, strengthen inventory systems and equipment reliability, and develop monthly work plans and SOPs. I also build entomological capacity, perform library prep, and successfully sequence using Oxford Nanopore Technology (MinION) to generate genomic data for surveillance—then execute data analysis, scientific reporting, and dissemination to support evidence-based decision-making.

Previously, as Laboratory Scientist at Africa University Molecular Laboratory (PMI VectorLink Project), I maintained SOPs and safety standards while conducting morphological mosquito species identification and molecular and immunological assays to produce reliable, reproducible data. I publish and present research, and my education includes an MSc in Molecular and Cell Biology (specialising in Computational Modelling and Bioinformatics), strengthening how I integrate computational approaches with laboratory evidence.