Curriculum Vitae

Personal Information: Dennis Mujuni, Ugandan citizen, living in Kampala; Born on 22nd April 1993, Single, Mobile: +256-***-***-*** Work: +256-***-***-*** E-mail: adxt7g@r.postjobfree.com, ORCID iD; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7831-2894 LinkedIn Profile; https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-mujuni-798500140

Personal Biography:

I am a highly motivated and accomplished professional in the field of biomedical laboratory sciences and management, with a track record of success in research, innovation, and international collaboration. My passion lies in advancing Laboratory Medicine & Quality Management Systems. Through my diverse experiences and qualifications, I have consistently demonstrated my commitment to advancing global health through projects to do with healthcare solutions, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB), diagnostic connectivity, and sequencing drug-resistant tuberculosis.

I have worked in consultancy pertaining to laboratory systems strengthening, quality management systems, knowledge transfer as well as capacity building for National TB Reference Laboratories in sub-Saharan Africa most notably at the Eritrea National TB Reference Laboratory for 5 Months where I also directly developed all documentation to do with the design and implementation of the National Specimen Referral System, at the Botswana National TB Reference Laboratory for less than a month with a focus on technical assistance for Quality management systems and bench work. Additionally, I supported staff from West Africa for the Benin National TB Reference Laboratory, a W.H.O Supranational Reference Laboratory status laboratory, to establish a proficiency testing scheme for their tuberculosis diagnostic network. I have trained and mentored staff from NRLs of up to 23 countries from my 5-year spell at the Uganda Supranational Reference Laboratory.

I spearheaded the establishment of the Next-generation Sequencing lab, planning, and designing of road maps and conceptual frameworks for the implementation of the Operational Research Agenda across the countries supported in the East Central and Southern Africa-Health Community (ECSA-HC) project. I have also been involved in aspects to do with; planning, monitoring, coordination and report writing for numerous support supervisions for the Ministry of Health in my capacity as External quality assurance coordinator for Tuberculosis at supranational, and Malaria activities at district level. I have co-founded GENLAB Solutions International Limited where we are building digital health solutions that will accelerate data-driven health care on the continent by making complex data (from GeneXpert, Truenat, AI driven Chest X-Rays and Sequencers) accessible and usable as we build an ecosystem of precision health that can save lives across Africa.

Achievements

• I wrote a proposal that was awarded a 540,000 USD grant by USAID, in response to the UNOPS/Stop TB Call for Proposals on Introduction and Strengthening the Use of Connectivity Solutions for TB Diagnostic Instrument Networks in Selected Countries, March 2022,

• Led the establishment of Supreme Laboratories Ltd, in a diagnostics joint-venture between AID Genomics from Israel and Supreme Health Solutions Ltd of Uganda, Jan-April 2022,

• Awarded a spring 2022 Amazon Web Services (AWS)/Africa Intensive Fellowship in December 2021, Washington, D.C with $25,000 worth of cloud credit,

• Honorary guest at the Farhat Lab, Harvard University, Massachusetts in August 2022, discussing Tuberculosis diagnostic connectivity as a research tool for Tuberculosis disease control programs,

• Invited to apply for a £20,000 Innovation Award by LifeArc, a self-financing medical research charity in England that seeks to transform the way diseases are identified and treated through accelerating healthcare innovation by transforming promising life science ideas into life-changing medical breakthroughs for patients; October 2021 (currently of interest and under final review),

• Co-Founded GENLAB Solutions International Limited, January 2021,

• Awarded a Global Investigator’s Award from the Korean Society of Laboratory Medicine, August 2020,

• Awarded a Global Investigator’s Award from the Korean Society of Laboratory Medicine, August 2022,

• Awarded a €20,000 grant by The German Leprosy & Tuberculosis Relief Association, Diagnostic and treatment delay of Tuberculosis: an in-depth analysis of the health-seeking behaviour of patients and the health system response in Kampala District,

• I developed all documentation to do with the design and implementation of the National Specimen Referral System of Eritrea, March-July 2020,

• Won a Research scholarship (MSc.) from the World Bank under the Africa Centre of Excellence in Materials, Product Development and Nanotechnology (MAPRONANO ACE), Jan 2020,

• Won a Travel Grant Award to the 50th Union World Conference for Lung Health by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Sept 2019,

• Won a Travel Grant Award to the 60th Annual Laboratory Medicine Congress & Exhibition for the Korean Society of Laboratory Medicine by the Korean Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), Sept 2019,

• Won a Travel Grant Award to the 50th Union World Conference for Lung Health by the East Central and Southern Africa (ECSA) Health Community, Oct 2019,

• Accepted research papers at high level conferences in South Korea, India and North America Sept-Nov 2019,

• I spearheaded the establishment of Next-generation Sequencing laboratory with protocol development, equipment purchases and validations for the molecular epidemiology wing of the Uganda National TB Reference Laboratory,

• I was the team lead for the planning, designing of road maps and conceptual frameworks for the implementation of the Operational Research Agenda across the countries supported in the ECSA-HC project with the guidance of Prof Joloba Moses, Nov 2019

• I guided the initial plans to guide the design, protocol development and establishment of Next-generation Sequencing of Tuberculosis strains for Eswatini, North Sudan and Zimbabwe National TB Reference Laboratories,

• I guided the initial plans to guide the design, protocol development and establishment of the Proficiency testing schemes of Tuberculosis diagnosis for Botswana, Malawi and Benin National TB Reference Laboratories,

• Contributed to the maiden attainment of accreditation status (with relevant certifications) for the ISO 17043 Standards and sustenance of ISO 15189 Standards for a second cycle for the NTRL/WHO SRL Uganda, June and July 2018 respectively,

• Awarded a DR. Lee Jong-Wook Fellowship Program for Advanced TB Disease Research Specialists which involved Next generation Sequencing, Monitoring & Evaluation of projects, Genomics and Bioinformatics, May 2018,

• Won a scholarship (BSc.) from the World Bank under the Uganda Health Systems Strengthening Project, January 2014.

Qualification:

Graduate degree, Master of Science in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences and Management (MLS), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda (2018-2020)

Fellowship Award, Advanced Genomics Course for Tuberculosis Disease Research, Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, Osong, South Korea (2018/2019)

Undergraduate degree, Bachelor of Biomedical Laboratory Technology (B.BLT)

Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda (2013-2016)

Trainings and Certifications:

• Pathogen Genomics-A New Era in Global Health Surveillance and Strategy; Wellcome Connecting Science

• Advanced TB Research Training Course; University of Washington Tuberculosis Research & Training Centre

• Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Implementation Research (IR); The Africa Regional Training Centre supported by WHO/TDR

• Genomic Technologies in Clinical Diagnostics-Next Generation Sequencing; St George's University of London

• Artificial Intelligence in Bioinformatics; Taipei Medical University, Taiwan

• Advanced Molecular Disease Research and Development (Tuberculosis); Korea Institute of Tuberculosis

• Next Generation Sequencing and Instrumentation; Illumina Inc, USA

• Biosafety and Biosecurity and Bio-risk Management; Entebbe

• Proficiency Testing Program Management for Dried Tube Specimen; CDC Atlanta, USA

• Laboratory Systems and Internal Auditing based on ISO/IEC 17025:2017

• Laboratory Systems and Internal Auditing based on ISO 15189 standards; SANAS

• Technical Assessing and Management Review based on ISO 15189 standards; SANAS

Work Experience:

Director & Co-Founder; Head of Research and Development- GENLAB Solutions International Ltd, January 2020 to date, Kampala, Uganda, Activities;

• Co-ordinating all the activities to do with the smooth running of the company in pursuit of the vision to be the leading provider of digital health solutions harnessing genomics research, disease surveillance and patient care in Africa,

• Developing concepts for the design, workflow, smart algorithms and continuous improvement for MutHub, a genomics system aimed at translating big data into precision medicine and molecular surveillance of diseases (TB, HIV, SARS-CoV-2 and Malaria),

• Supporting the implementation and continuous improvement for LabXpert Disease Surveillance (DS) platform, a diagnostic instruments connectivity solution aimed at automated data capture from the GeneXpert, Truenat, and Digital X-ray machines to enable real-time reporting (TB, HIV, SARS-CoV-2, HPV),

• Hosting meetings with & leading the planning, designing of road maps and conceptual frameworks for the implementation of company products across the relevant niche of clientele,

• Drafting documentation and collaborative proposals for support and partnerships with relevant funders, investors, stakeholders, collaborators and partners,

• Scouting and identifying talented, ambitious and enthusiastic individuals to join the pursuit of our company vision, subject to vetting by the Co-founder,

• Oversee and build the continuous human resource development for genomics and digital health technology capacity,

• Develop the technical structure of the life science arm of the company to oversee the company product developments and,

• Identifying grant opportunities and writing grant applications suitable for company growth,

• Drafting manuscripts and aiming at publishing findings of interest to the relevant company fields, other assigned duties.

Research Study Co-Ordinator- The German Leprosy & Tuberculosis Relief Association, June 2020 – December 2022, Kampala, Uganda, Activities;

• Developing the study protocol, data collection tools and study documentation required for Ethical Review and Clearance for the study to begin,

• Coordinating and supervising the Medical and Paramedical study staff to ensure the successful implementation of Research project activities in each of the five (5) divisions of Kampala,

• Working with the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigators to conduct training of the study Medical and Paramedical Staff on Intensive interviewing and probing techniques,

• Report writing and accountability for resources.

Quality Management Systems Specialist and Associate- Biolabs Red Services, October 2020 – December 2022 Activities;

• Partaking grant writing for the identified funding opportunities

• Map out annual training plans relevant for mentors, and laboratory staff in the sites to be accredited

• Designing and developing training programs relevant to the assignment

• Selecting appropriate training methods or activities (e.g., simulations, mentoring, on-the-job training, professional development classes)

• Conducting assignment-wide training needs assessment and identify skills or knowledge gaps,

• Using known education principles and stay up-to-date on new training methods and techniques, in line with current versions of international standards and accreditation body requirements

• Gathering feedback from trainers and trainees after each educational session

• Partnering with internal stakeholders and liaise with experts regarding instructional design

• Maintaining updated curriculum database and training records

• Hosting train-the-trainer sessions for local subject matter experts on QMS system courses relevant for achieving and sustaining international accreditation to ISO 15189:2012; ISO 17025:2017

• Managing and maintaining in-house training facilities and equipment

• Researching and recommending new training methods.

• Conducting system courses: Accreditation cycle management, mentorship skills, ISO 15189:2012, Management of non-conformances with regard to selected accreditation body requirements; documentation of the quality management system based on ISO/Technical Requirements 10013 2001 Technical Guidelines for QMS Documentation, ISO 17043:2010 and selected accreditation body technical requirements; internal auditing using selected accreditation body tools, and risk management for medical laboratories.

• Any other assigned roles by the lead consulting manager

Team Lead of Technical Working Group for Operational Research - National/Supranational Reference Laboratory (NTRL/WHO SRL), June 2019 to August 2020, Uganda, Activities;

• Spear heading the establishment of a Molecular epidemiology wing for molecular typing and sequencing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains with subsequent paper writing,

• Planning, implementing and development of standard operating procedures with seamless integration of Next Generation Sequencing into the existent workflow, with fulfilment of the ISO 15189 standard requirements,

• Drafting of requirements for sustenance and actual performance of sequencing of regional multi-drug resistant Tuberculosis strains to identify unique markers for molecular diagnostics for the region (Sub-Saharan Africa),

• Leading the planning, designing of road maps and conceptual frameworks for the implementation of Operational Research Agenda across the countries supported in the East Central and Southern Africa-Health Community (ECSA-HC) project,

• Provision of targeted Technical Assistance for countries conducting Tuberculosis Drug-resistance surveys, Prevalence surveys and Operational Research.

Biomedical Laboratory Technologist – National/ Supranational Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL/SRL), January 2016 to August 2020, Uganda, Activities;

• Orienting and training new personnel, visitors or trainees where required; for the fields in which I am competent,

• Knowledge on the implementation of the ISO 17043:2010, ISO 15189:2012, ISO 15190:2003 and ISO 9001:2015 Standards,

• Maintaining Laboratory Quality Management Systems (LQMS) in conformance to ISO 15189 and ISO 17043 standards with subsequent data review and preparations for assessments by Certified Accrediting Bodies,

• Observation of laboratory safety policies and Good Clinical Practices (GCP’s),

• Carrying out pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical processes according to the relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), all with documented competence,

• Operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment and the respective documentation,

• Manipulation of the Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) operation in a National/Supranational laboratory setting in accordance to SOPs,

• Conducting scheduled Internal Auditing and Risk Assessments based on ISO15189:2012 Standards,

• Knowledge on the Laboratory Quality Manual, Safety Manuals, and Tuberculosis diagnosis and management using the National TB and Leprosy Programme guidelines,

• Participating in Quality Assurance and Control (QA/QC) process activities at NTRL,

• Identification, planning and executing Quality Improvement Projects following systematic review of Occurrences or Non-Conformities at NTRL,

• Participating in activities to do with Curriculum Development, Standardisation of training materials, review of policies, procedures, guidelines and protocols for NTRL,

• Provision of Technical Assistance to countries in order to support the institution and implementation of Quality Management Systems with subsequent strengthening of laboratory systems in their laboratory network(s),

• Participating in activities to do with Strengthening Laboratory Management Towards Accreditation (SLMTA) through building Institutional and Personnel capacity to ensure at most compliance to the ISO 15189:2012 Standard in preparation for laboratory accreditation at peripheral laboratory sites,

• Adherence to the Ethical code of conduct and Human Resource SOP among other SOP’s, with execution of tasks as delegated to me by my Technical Supervisor,

Proficiency Testing/External Quality Assessment Program Coordinator-Ministry of Health Uganda – January 2017 to August 2020, Uganda, Activities;

• Ensuring that the schedule for the different PT schemes is strictly adhered to by ensuring timely preparations of PT materials and notification(s) to clientele,

• Partaking in Proficiency Testing (PT) Scheme activities at the NTRL including; Development and review of quarterly PT work plans with documentation for the Proficiency Testing Scheme [GeneXpert Dry Tube Specimen (DTS), Line Probe Assay, Microscopy] to sustain ISO17043 Standards, preparation of clientele PT lists, preparation, handling and distribution of prepared PT materials, participating in review of feedback and performance reports by evaluating the performance of PT participants, operating data processing system and statistical analysis, giving opinions, interpretations and recommendations of the performance of the participants with subsequent documentation among others before submission to the PT scheme manager,

• Partaking in training national and international clientele on aspects to do with Proficiency Testing Schemes, TB Microscopy, External Quality Assessment, categorical reagents preparation, the GeneXpert, Line Probe Assay, as assigned to me,

• Participating in External Quality Assessment (EQA) activities including on site supervisions and quarterly performance/review meetings for discussion on important aspects to do with the EQA program and/or PT schemes,

• Provision of Technical Assistance in decentralising the EQA program in Hoima region with concurrent building of institutional capacity of the district laboratory task force in the different regions countrywide.

• Planning, monitoring, coordinating and Report writing for activities to do with community level-based assignments to do with anti-malaria action.

Research Experiences:

1. Effectiveness of thermal screening in detection of COVID-19 among truck drivers at Mutukula Land Point of Entry, Uganda, PLOS ONE 2021-05-13 Journal article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251150

2. Implementation of GeneXpert MTB/Rif proficiency testing program: A Case of the Uganda national tuberculosis reference laboratory/supranational reference laboratory PLOS ONE 2021-05-14 Journal article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251691.

3. Molecular characterisation of second-line drug resistance among drug resistant tuberculosis patients tested in Uganda: a two and a half-year’s review BMC Infectious Diseases 2022-04-11 Journal article DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07339-w

4. Mujuni D, Ssengooba W, Ibanda I et al. Second-line drug resistance markers as proxy indicators of time to sputum culture conversion among second-line drug resistant tuberculosis patients tested in Uganda: A cross-sectional study [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. F1000Research 2023, 12:62 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.129524.1)

5. Kabugo J, Namutebi J, Adam I, Mujuni D, Tugumisirize D, Denis O, et al. (2023) Advancing proficiency testing for ultra in resource-limited settings using dried tube specimen: A study by SRL-Uganda. PLoS ONE 18(3): e0282650. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282650

6. Unraveling opportunities and bottlenecks of implementing next-generation sequencing in African and Asian settings; An in-depth review and analysis. Under data collection and manuscript draft writing

7. Risk factors for fluoroquinolone resistance among patients with second line-drug resistant tuberculosis evaluated in Uganda; A case-control study. Under Manuscript writing

8. Impact of Randomized Blinded Rechecking program on the performance of the AFB Microscopy Laboratory Network in Uganda: A decadal retrospective study. Under Manuscript review at BMC Infectious Diseases

Language Proficiency:

English; Fluent French; Intermediate Runya-kitara; Native Luganda; Native Latin; Basic

Referees:

KIIZA Daniel

Technical Advisor, The Sande-McKinnell Centre at the Infectious Diseases Institute

Tel: +256-***-***-***

Email: adxt7g@r.postjobfree.com NANSUBUGA Christine Korsah

Quality Manager, National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory

Tel: +256-***-***-***

Email: adxt7g@r.postjobfree.com Prof JOLOBA Moses

Director, National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory

Tel: +256-***-***-***

Email: adxt7g@r.postjobfree.com

I Dennis Mujuni hereby declare that the above furnished information is authentic to the best of my knowledge. Please feel free to contact any of the above referees should any need for further clarification arise.

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