Working to Advance
Health Equity in Africa

Meet the team

The staff team at HEARD is composed of 30 core staff, with interns and visiting fellows contributing to HEARD’s research. HEARD is directed by an experienced senior management team providing strategic, research and operational leadership. Our diverse staff at HEARD are united by a shared commitment in working to advance health equity in Africa.

Dr Carolien Aantjes

Senior Research fellow

Monica Ansu-Mensah

PhD Student

Russell Armstrong

Senior Research Officer

Kwabena Asare

PhD Student

Sandra Asare

PhD Student

Emmanuel Asiamah

PhD Student

Abebe Badacho

PhD Student

Sean Beckett

Research Fellow

Samantha Chareka

PhD Student

Adrian Chikowore

PhD Student

Dr Tamaryn Crankshaw

Programme Leader

Professor Gavin George

Programme Leader

Samuel Gormley

Operations Director

Professor Sophie Harman

Visiting Professor

Cailin Hedderwick

PhD Programme Manager

Murphy Kajumi

PhD Student

Emma Lansdell

Research Fellow (Data Manager)

Professor Franklyn Lisk

Visiting Professor

Sylvester Louis

Accounting Officer

Lin Mary Manyika

PhD Student

Joyce Mlay

PhD Student

Sisonke Msimang

Senior HEARD Fellow

Bright Mukanga

PhD Student

Olivier Mukuku

PhD Student

Happy Magama Ncube

PhD Student

Ntobeko Ndlovu

PhD Student

James Njobvuyalema

PhD Student

Dr Phiwe Nota

Post-doctoral Research Fellow

Agnes Nyabigambo

PhD Student

Dr Patrick Nyamaruze

Post-doctoral Research Fellow

Regina Ombam

Visiting senior research fellow

Lilian Akoth Oogo

PhD Student

Professor Nana Poku

Executive Director (HEARD); Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University (UKZN)

Nalini Sharma

Finance Manager

Mulugeta Shimbre

PhD Student

Warren Simangolwa

PhD Student

Dr Julia Heather Smith

Visiting research fellow

Mike Strauss

Research fellow

Dr Jesper Sundewall

Associate Professor

Comfort Tetteh

PhD Student

Vanitha Venkatas

Finance Administrator

Robyn-Lee Wagner

Human resources officer

Professor Jim Whitman

Professorial fellow and Co-director of HEARD's PhD Scholarship Programme