Professor John P. A. Lusingu is a distinguished Tanzanian researcher and Chief Research Officer at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR). He holds a Ph.D. in Health Sciences from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark (2006), where he focused on malaria epidemiology and immunity, and an MD from the University of Dar es Salaam (1994).

Prof. Lusingu began his career as a General Practitioner in Tanzania’s southern highlands before joining NIMR in 2000. He has led groundbreaking malaria research, including field studies and clinical trials for malaria drugs and vaccines. As Principal Investigator, he directed the Phase 3 RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine study, funded by PATH-MVI and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He also led the IMPROVE study to identify alternative antimalarial drugs for pregnant women, collaborating with global partners.

An EDCTP2 Senior Fellow, Prof. Lusingu has significantly contributed to capacity building in field trials and has mentored students worldwide. He collaborates with the Bernhard Nocht Institute to study non-malarial fevers enteric diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. He also collaborates with Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA.

With 158 peer-reviewed publications (accessed in PubMed on 15 May 2025) and extensive editorial experience, including serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Tanzania Journal of Health Research (2018–2022), Prof. Lusingu is a leading voice in global health research. He is also a member of international scientific committees and the Tanganyika Medical Association. From 2018 to 2022, he served as Centre Director of the NIMR Tanga Centre