This is a summary of a story originally on Duke Global Health Institute .
Dr. Blandina Mmbaga grew up in Mwanza before moving to Russia for medical school. Now Mmbaga oversees one of Duke Global Health Institute's longest and most complex collaborations: with the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Tanzania.
A pediatrician by training, Mmbaga directs clinical trials, manages research budgets and mentors dozens of students and early-career researchers.
"Blandina is probably the hardest-working person I know," says DGHI professor emeritus Dr. John Bartlett , who has worked with Mmbaga for more than two decades. "She is a natural-born leader and never, ever says no to anyone who needs her help. She is a force in the very best sense of the word."
Her connection to Duke began in the early 2000s, when she met two Duke professors at KCMC. In 2006, Mmbaga was given the opportunity to spend three months at Duke studying research methodology. That experience motivated her to pursue clinical research. Over time, she moved from mentee to leader, directing major collaborations while continuing to mentor the next generation of scientists. She takes pride in seeing her mentees advance into leadership roles.
"Some of them have become senior lecturers and associate professors, and it kind of drives why I keep mentoring, to see this growth even in our institution. I really enjoy it when my mentee becomes successful," Mmbaga says.
Looking ahead, Mmbaga envisions expanding research beyond infectious diseases to address emerging challenges such as non-communicable diseases and climate-related health impacts. She also stresses the need to extend successful interventions to communities throughout Tanzania. As she explains, "The landscape of disease is changing, and we need to be building together to take on things like non-communicable diseases and the health impacts of climate change."
