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Hire Cynthia M.

Zambia

USD 200 /hr

Biomedical Scientist | Immunology & Public Health Consultant | Scientific Writer with 7+ years in clinical research

Profile Summary

I am a biomedical scientist and public health researcher with more than 14 years of experience in clinical and research laboratories. I am currently completing my PhD in Medical Microbiology and Immunology at Stellenbosch University, where my work focuses on systemic memory immune responses to the oral ETVAX® vaccine in young Zambian children. Over the years, I have built expertise across immunology, vaccinology, microbiology, and infectious disease research, with a strong record in vaccine immunogenicity studies, antimicrobial resistance monitoring, and laboratory systems strengthening. My technical skills include a wide range of laboratory assays such as ELISA, ELISPOT, PCR, PBMC isolation, flow cytometry, bactericidal assays, and cell culture. I also bring extensive experience in research design, data interpretation, manuscript and grant writing, and systematic and narrative reviews. Clients and collaborators value my ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for both scientific and public health audiences. My previous and ongoing research projects include laboratory leadership in a Phase I clinical trial of the ETVAX® vaccine in Zambia, coordination of CDC-supported rotavirus and norovirus surveillance studies, and coordination of the National Multi-Pathogen Diagnostics Program to implement qPCR multi-pathogen detection for clinical case management, strengthen microbiology and antimicrobial resistance monitoring in public laboratories. Earlier in my career, I worked at the University Teaching Hospital Virology Laboratory, where I contributed to HIV viral load testing, influenza and polio surveillance, and implementation of ISO 15189 accreditation. Academically, I hold a Master of Science in Infectious Diseases from the University of London and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Zambia. I am also actively engaged in professional networks, including ASM, ASLM, the BactiVac Network, and the Immunology Society of Zambia. I have authored and co-authored more than a dozen peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Vaccine, PLOS ONE, and Microorganisms, and presented my work at international meetings including VASE and BactiVac conferences. Through Kolabtree, I offer consulting and freelance support in vaccine immunology, public health, and microbiology. My services include protocol and SOP development, immunoassay consulting, systematic and narrative literature reviews, manuscript and grant editing, and laboratory capacity building. With a strong foundation in both research and public health practice, I aim to deliver outputs that are scientifically rigorous, well-structured, and tailored to client needs.

Subject Matter Expertise

• ★ Surveillance Systems
• ★ Clinical Trials
• ★ Infectious Disease

Services

• Writing
• Research
• Consulting
• Product Development

Writing Clinical Trial Documentation, Medical Writing

Research Gap Analysis, Scientific and Technical Research, Systematic Literature Review

Consulting Scientific and Technical Consulting

Product Development Quality Assurance & Control (QA/QC), Concept Development

Work Experience

Research Fellow

Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia

August 2018 - Present

Education

PhD Microbiology and Immunology

Stellenbosch University

March 2021 - Present

MSc. Infectious Diseases

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of London - United Kingdom

September 2011 - December 2015

BSc. Biomedical Sciences

University of Zambia

January 2005 - March 2009

Certifications

• Medical Laboratory Scientist

  Ministry of Health Zambia

  May 2009 - Present

Publications

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Cynthia Mubanga, Caroline Cleopatra Chisenga, Bernard Phiri, Harriet Ng’ombe, Mutinta Muchimba, Kalo Musukuma-Chifulo, Suwilanji Silwamba, Natasha Makabilo Laban, Chaluma Luchen, Fraser Liswaniso, et al. (2024). Seroconversion and Kinetics of Vibriocidal Antibodies during the First 90 Days of Re-Vaccination with Oral Cholera Vaccine in an Endemic Population . Vaccines.

Cynthia Mubanga, Kapambwe Mwape, Obvious Nchimunya Chilyabanyama, Kennedy Chibesa, Caroline Cleopatra Chisenga, Suwilanji Silwamba, Arlo Randall, Xiaowu Liang, Tobias George Barnard, Michelo Simuyandi, et al. (2024). Application of a Novel Proteomic Microarray Reveals High Exposure to Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli among Children in Zambia Participating in a Phase I Clinical Trial . Microorganisms.

Cynthia Mubanga, Kapambwe Mwape, Obvious Nchimunya Chilyabanyama, Kennedy Chibesa, Caroline Cleopatra Chisenga, Suwilanji Silwamba, Arlo Randall, Xiaowu Liang, Tobias George Barnard, Michelo Simuyandi, et al. (2024). Application of a Novel Proteomic Microarray Reveals High Exposure to Diarrhoeagenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> among Children in Zambia Participating in a Phase I Clinical Trial . Microorganisms.

Cynthia Mubanga, Kapambwe Mwape, Samuel Bosomprah, Kennedy Chibesa, Suwilanji Silwamba, Charlie Chaluma Luchen, Nsofwa Sukwa, Bernard Phiri, Mwelwa Chibuye, Fraser Liswaniso, et al. (2023). Prevalence of Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli among Children Aged between 0–36 Months in Peri-Urban Areas of Lusaka . Microorganisms.

Cynthia Mubanga, Kapambwe Mwape, Samuel Bosomprah, Kennedy Chibesa, Suwilanji Silwamba, Charlie Chaluma Luchen, Nsofwa Sukwa, Bernard Phiri, Mwelwa Chibuye, Fraser Liswaniso, et al. (2023). Prevalence of Diarrhoeagenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> among Children Aged between 0–36 Months in Peri-Urban Areas of Lusaka . Microorganisms.

Cynthia Mubanga, Adriace Chauwa, Samuel Bosomprah, Natasha Makabilo Laban, Bernard Phiri, Mwelwa Chibuye, Obvious Nchimunya Chilyabanyama, Sody Munsaka, Michelo Simuyandi, Innocent Mwape, et al. (2023). Maternal and Infant Histo-Blood Group Antigen (HBGA) Profiles and Their Influence on Oral Rotavirus Vaccine (RotarixTM) Immunogenicity among Infants in Zambia . Vaccines.

Cynthia Mubanga, Adriace Chauwa, Samuel Bosomprah, Natasha Makabilo Laban, Bernard Phiri, Mwelwa Chibuye, Obvious Nchimunya Chilyabanyama, Sody Munsaka, Michelo Simuyandi, Innocent Mwape, et al. (2023). Maternal and Infant Histo-Blood Group Antigen (HBGA) Profiles and Their Influence on Oral Rotavirus Vaccine (Rotarix^TM) Immunogenicity among Infants in Zambia . Vaccines.

Cynthia Mubanga, Michelo Simuyandi, Kapambwe Mwape, Kennedy Chibesa, Caroline Chisenga, Obvious Nchimunya Chilyabanyama, Arlo Randall, Xiaowu Liang, Richard H. Glashoff, Roma Chilengi (2023). Use of an ETEC Proteome Microarray to Evaluate Cross-Reactivity of ETVAX® Vaccine-Induced IgG Antibodies in Zambian Children . Vaccines.

Cynthia Mubanga, Michelo Simuyandi, Kapambwe Mwape, Kennedy Chibesa, Caroline Chisenga, Obvious Nchimunya Chilyabanyama, Arlo Randall, Xiaowu Liang, Richard H. Glashoff, Roma Chilengi (2023). Use of an ETEC Proteome Microarray to Evaluate Cross-Reactivity of ETVAX^® Vaccine-Induced IgG Antibodies in Zambian Children . Vaccines.

Cynthia Mubanga, Natasha Makabilo Laban, Samuel Bosomprah, Michelo Simuyandi, Mwelwa Chibuye, Adriace Chauwa, Masuzyo Chirwa-Chobe, Nsofwa Sukwa, Chikumbutso Chipeta, Rachel Velu, et al. (2023). Evaluation of ROTARIX^® Booster Dose Vaccination at 9 Months for Safety and Enhanced Anti-Rotavirus Immunity in Zambian Children: A Randomised Controlled Trial . Vaccines.

Cynthia Mubanga, Charlie Chaluma Luchen, Aftab A. Ansari, John Mwaba, Harriet Ng’ombe, Peter Ibukun Oluwa Alabi, Michelo Simuyandi, Obvious N. Chilyabanyama, Luiza Miyanda Hatyoka, Samuel Bosomprah, et al. (2021). Effect of HIV status and retinol on immunogenicity to oral cholera vaccine in adult population living in an endemic area of Lukanga Swamps, Zambia . PLOS ONE.

PREPRINT

Cynthia Mubanga, Sam Miti, Caroline C Chisenga, Lusungu Msimuko, Chipo Manda, Catherine Zulu, Naomi Muleba Kalaba, Christian Musilikare Niyongabo, Lydia Chisapi, David Thole, et al. (2024). Setting up a Hospital Based Diarrhoea Surveillance System in a Low- and Middle-Income Country: Lessons Learned .