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Professor Erasto Vitus Mbugi is a distinguished Biomedical Scientist, Academic Leader, and University Executive serving as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Planning, Finance and Administration at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), Tanzania. He is also Professor of Applied Biomedical Sciences in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
He earned his Bachelor and Master of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania, and a PhD in Nutrition Immunology from Wageningen University, the Netherlands. His academic development has been supported by prestigious international scholarships and research grants, including DAAD, AMANET, NWO/WOTRO, and the Wellcome Trust through the Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS).
Since joining MUHAS in 2001, Professor Mbugi has advanced to the rank of Full Professor while building an internationally recognized research portfolio in nutrition immunology, molecular epidemiology, tuberculosis, malaria, and the One Health approach to infectious disease surveillance. His research has contributed significantly to understanding pathogen diversity, immune responses, antimicrobial resistance, and the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Tanzania and Africa.
Professor Mbugi has authored over 70 peer-reviewed scientific publications and book chapters and has contributed to strengthening research capacity and evidence-based health policy. He serves as Program Director for the training and mentorship component of the Patient-Centred Outcome Research (PCOR) programme at MUHAS.
An accomplished academic leader, he has held several senior positions, including Associate Dean of the School of Medicine, Director of Undergraduate Education, and coordinator of major World Bank-supported Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) project at MUHAS. He is a Certified Director accredited by the Institute of Directors Tanzania (IoDT) and has completed executive training in leadership, governance, project management, and public service accountability. Professor Mbugi remains committed to advancing biomedical research, higher education, institutional excellence, and health systems development in Tanzania and across Africa.
Continued Leadership and Executive Development
Professor Erasto Mbugi has continually strengthened his leadership and governance competencies through advanced executive training. He is a Certified Director accredited by the Institute of Directors Tanzania (Certificate No. 02630). He also holds a Certificate in Construction Project Management of Civil Works Using World Bank (IDA/IBRD) Guidelines, awarded by the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI). Professor Erasto holds a certificate on Leadership and Management Programme from the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School, Tanzania, further enhancing his strategic leadership and public sector management capabilities. In 2026, he was awarded the TPSC Certificate on Council Dynamics and Governance Oversight for Public Service Accountability by the Tanzania Public Service College after successfully completing the respective programme as capacity building strategy. These professional certifications complement his academic and research achievements and reflect his commitment to excellence in institutional governance, strategic leadership, project management, and public service accountability.
1. African Malaria Network Trust (AMANET) training Grants: MSc Studies: 2002 - 2004.
2. The Netherlands Foundation for the Advancement for Tropical Research (NWO/WOTRO) and The Centre for Poverty-Related Infection-Oriented Research (PRIOR) grants: (Support for my PhD studies): 2005 – 2009
3. Wellcome Trust Grant WT087546MA under SACIDS Tuberculosis Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: 2010 - 2015.
4. The HIV Patient-Centred Outcomes Research (PCOR) Training Program: 2019 - 2024
5. The World Bank Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) Project: 2021 - 2026.
1. Mbwele B, Joctan ZZ, Hawkins C, Caputo M, August F, Kaaya S, Mbugi EV, Hirschhorn LR, Franklin PD: The use of Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) and Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R) in comparing the experiences of mothers with and without HIV in Tanzania. BMJ Global Health 2025, 10:e016745.
2. Bwana VM, Masoud NS, Manji KP, Yusufu IS, Machafuko PZ, Hawkins C, Conover B, Mbugi EV, Hirschhorn LR, Caputo MT, Carfield C, Kaaya SF. Disclosure of HIV status and its association with quality of life and depressive symptoms among children with HIV in North-Eastern Tanzania. AIDS Research and Therapy 2026, 23:48.
3. Nasser A, Mmbaga EJ, Iddy H, Mollel C, Nzunda C, Mwaruka I, Shungu R, Hussein A, Dunavin N, Van Loon K, Mbugi E, Schuh A, Shah NP. Response rate and survival of patients with chronic-phase myeloid leukemia on second-line treatment in Tanzania. Blood Global Hematology 2026, 2:100083.
4. Kimera ZI, Mtebe M, Mbugi E, Matee MIN. Antimicrobial resistance in low- and middle-income countries driven by governance policy and One Health strategies for effective action. Discov Public Health 23, 753 (2026).
5. Nyongole O, Sirili N, Mwakilasa MT, Temba P, Mselle L, Akoko L, August F, Kiwango G, Mohamed H, Kamori D, Carneiro L, Mloka D, Kaale E, Mbugi E, Balandya E, Kamuhabwa A, Kakoko D. Perceived Employability of Postgraduate Graduates from the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Tanzania: An Exploratory Qualitative Tracer Study Using the Framework Method to Inform Postgraduate Training Reform. (2026). Tanzania Medical Journal, 37(1), 1-17.
