Holds an MSc in Clinical Pharmacology and has with further studied in clinical epidemiology. She was a member of faculty at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Department of Pharmacy in the Clinical Pharmacy division and is now a DPhil candidate in the UZ Hematology Unit. She developed an interest in HIV-related lymphoma during her clinical work. This group of patients appeared to have poorer lymphoma treatment outcomes and had limited treatment options. During her pre-doctoral studies, she characterized lymphoma treatment outcomes for patients with HIV-related lymphoma. Her study was supported by the University at Buffalo (UB) and University of Zimbabwe (UZ) HIV-Research and Training Program (UB/UZ-HRTP). She is fascinated by mechanisms, and for her current project, she will be delving into molecular characteristics and pathogenic mechanisms of HIV-lymphoma. She is conducting the study as a doctoral fellow, in the Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI) NIH funded training program in Advanced Training in Community Based Research; training in Bioinformatics, Drug Resistance and Pathogenesis. The project involves collaborations with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Care Center and UB. We hope that we can identify actionable mutations, and novel tumor signatures, which can assist with classification, risk stratification and ultimately improved outcomes for HIV-related B-cell lymphomas.

Tendai Washaya is a doctoral student in HIV Virology at the University of Zimbabwe, College of Health (UZ-CHS) supervised by Dr Justen Manasa. Her dissertation title is “Investigating pan-resistant HIV-1 among highly treatment experienced patients in Zimbabwe”. She studied Biochemistry and Biotechnology for her Bachelors and Masters degrees respectively at the University of Zimbabwe. For her Masters thesis she investigated the use of High-resolution melting analysis for HIV drug resistance diagnosis, a more affordable method that can be used in resource limited settings.  She was awarded a scholarship by DAAD from Germany, which she used for her Masters degree. Her current research interest have grown out of her work experience in HIV drug resistance genotyping and a continuation of her Masters work.  Her research will address key questions in relation to pan-resistant HIV-1 and also provide an affordable HIVDR genotyping method. She was awarded a scholarship by DAAD from Germany, which she used for her Masters degree.