The A-Team at the heart of aPHrica Pulse
FOUNDER | PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCHER
Mary K. Tumushime
Mary K Tumushime is a Ugandan public health researcher, living and working in Zimbabwe. Since completing her Master of Public Health in 2012 (Monash University, Australia), she has worked mainly in HIV and sexual and reproductive health research and programmes among youth, adult and key populations in Australasia and Southern Africa. She is a student at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where her thesis explores co-design approaches in the context of sexually transmitted infection control among young people.
Her career highlights include coordinating research for the HIV Self-Testing Africa (STAR) Initiative (2015-2020) in Zimbabwe, including two large cluster randomised trials and facilitating transition to scale-up of HIV self-testing services within the public sector and a national programme for sex workers; sharing STAR findings at conferences (e.g., IAS 2017, HSR 2022) and through publication (e.g., PLOS Global Health); and receiving training in the Emerging Voices for Global Health programme (2022 cohort). She is passionate about sharing research findings with the people they most impact and translating them into policy and practice.
Mary enjoys music and poetry gigs, local and international travel, quality time with family and friends and engaging with her expat community in Harare.
CORE-TEAM MEMBER | PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCHER | MEDICAL DOCTOR
Victory Ekpin
Victory is a medical doctor and public health professional from Nigeria. She holds a master’s degree in Public Health for Development from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Currently, she serves as the lead for research and digital health teams at ACE Strategy and Consults Ltd, Nigeria. Victory has led high-impact studies, including systematic reviews and health technology assessments, aimed at producing data-driven solutions for health policy and service delivery. She has also been involved in project implementations and evaluations in the areas of digital health, health financing, and infectious disease programs.
Victory’s passion lies in strengthening health systems in Africa, with a particular focus on community health systems. Her dedication to Africa drives her commitment to sharing insights, success stories, and health innovations from across the continent and the diaspora, inspiring better public health practices.
Victory enjoys travelling, listening to music, reading, and catching up on sleep during her leisure time.
CORE-TEAM MEMBER | PUBLIC HEALTH SPECIALIST
Rita Kamazima
Rita is Tanzanian-born global citizen who is deeply committed to service, youth empowerment, and international development, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. With over a decade of experience in public health, focusing on HIV prevention, sexual reproductive health, youth health and wellbeing, and gender programming, Rita has worked extensively with US Governmental Agencies including Peace Corps, the US Department of State, USAID, and FDA.
Holding a Master’s in Public Health for Development from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, and a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Miami University, Rita brings a wealth of expertise to her work. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Eswatini (2014-2016), Rita collaborated with community leaders to implement HIV/AIDS prevention interventions and establish girl empowerment clubs, fostering resilience and confidence among young girls.
She eagerly looks forward to leveraging skills gained from her involvement with various organizations and executive boards, including Friends of Tanzania, Friends of Eswatini, and BANA by JRNL, and academic skills gained from LSHTM. Beyond her professional pursuits, Rita enjoys travelling, listening to music, taking walks, reading, and cherishing time with family and friends.
CORE-TEAM MEMBER | COMMUNICATIONS & IMPACT LEAD
Ellen Chiyindiko
Ellen Chiyindiko is a Zimbabwean communications professional and multimedia storyteller with a passion for creating content that connects science, health, and everyday human experiences.
With a rich background in television, radio, print, and digital media, she enjoys crafting compelling human-interest stories that inform, inspire, and engage diverse audiences. Ellen currently leads public engagement efforts in Health Research organisations, translating research into relatable narratives that empower communities. She is an alumna of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) and a committed advocate for women in media, science, and leadership.