Athanas Mhina is a Research Officer working with the National institute for Medical Research at Tanga Medical Research Centre. Athanas holds a Master of Philosophy (Virology) degree from the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), he also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Microbiology & Zoology from the university of Dar es Salaam.

His area of research interest is on Molecular epidemiology of multidrug resistant bacteria, Pathogenomics and Metagenomics of Antibiotic resistance, Mobile genetic elements, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in human, animal and environment (One Health), Risk factors for colonization/ infection of multidrug resistant bacteria, Healthcare associated infections (HCAI´s) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC).

He has been involved in various research activities in the area of Malaria, Arboviral infections (Rift Valley fever virus, Dengue fever and Chikungunya virus), Neglected Tropical Diseases (Lymphatic Filariasis and Onchocerciasis) and Onchocerciasis associated Epilepsy (OAE).

Apart from routine research activities, he has also been involved in supervising undergraduate students from various Universities within the country during their fieldwork attachment at NIMR Tanga Centre.

He is the Laboratory Quality Officer of the Amani Biomedical Research Laboratory (AMBRELA) spearheading the Accreditation process (Virology unit) with the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS).

He is currently heavily involved in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) studies in humans, animals and the environment. Specifically looking at the acquisition of multidrug resistant bacteria (carriage) among neonates during hospital stay, bacterial carriage among pregnant mothers due for delivery as well carriage among healthcare workers. His ambition is to contribute to public health interventions towards improving AMR awareness and Infection Prevention and Control of healthcare associated infections (HCAI´s) including hand hygiene and surface decontamination to combat AMR which is a global health concern.