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Hello, my name is Damian Job Kahamba

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Epidemiologist • Laboratory Scientist • Data Analyst in SAS, R & Python • Proud Husband and Father
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Portrait of Damian Job Kahamba

BIOGRAPHY

My name is Damian Job Kahamba, i am a Health Laboratory Scientist and MPH candidate at Florida Agriculturan and Mechanical University. I focus on epidemiology and biostatistics through data-driven program improvement and combining statistical analysis with practical systems that help teams act quickly and fairly.

Before graduate school, I served at Tanzania's National Public Health Laboratory as the Head of the HIV Molecular testing Section. I led ISO-15189–aligned quality systems, coordinated HIV Viral load and HIV Early Infant Diagnosis proficiency testing which conforms with ISO 17043, sample referral networks for HIV viral load and early infant diagnosis, and supported supervision for quality assurance. I also contributed to operational readiness through training, including SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing & bioinformatics (Africa CDC/ILRI).

At FAMU, I worked as a Graduate Assistant supporting community environmental restoration requests (Zendesk), presenting at environmental conferences, and right now, I am contributing to technical work in the Soil Science Laboratory. This complements my epidemiology training by strengthening cross-disciplinary problem-solving and stakeholder communication. Methodologically, I'm comfortable with data analysis using SAS, R, Smartsheet, and Python. I have experience in executing lightweight data programs that have helped to bring actionable insights.

My mission is simple: improve public health through evidence-based methods and the implementation of software methods to simplify and improve public health work. I'm active in professional networks (APHA, FPHA, and campus leadership) and collaborate readily across labs, agencies, and community partners to translate evidence into policy and practice.

Outside work, I'm a bilingual communicator (Swahili/English) who values mentorship, systems thinking, and service. I'm open to roles in epidemiologic analysis, program evaluation, public-sector analytics, and health-tech teams where rigorous methods and real-world impact meet. Background details on earlier training and leadership are available in my CV.

ABOUT

PROJECTS

S/NoPROJECT NAMEPREMISEPROBLEMCOLLABORATORSMETHOD USEDRESULTS
1. Data analysis on the association between diet intake and Uterine fibroids MPH program at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Institute of Public Health, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America • Combination of NHANES data sets
• Analysis of combined data sets		 Dr Avalon Adams-Thames (avalon.adamsthame@famu.edu) and Lorian Dawes Wright (loriann1.daweswright@famu.edu) Statistical analysis Software (SAS) URL to file
2. Creating a Program performance management architecture MPH Internship program at the Florida Department of Health, Division of Public Health Statistics and Performance Management, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America • Collection of project performance data
• Creation of a performance analysis framework
• Projection to dashboard		 Julia S Fitz, Katherine Colquitt, Suraj Budhrani, Michael Carney, Warren Garrison Smartsheets URL to file
3. Covid – 19 Rapid testing in Tanzania Center of Distance Education, Morogoro, Tanzania Need for individuals working at the Regional referral hospitals level to learn how to perform Covid – 19 rapid testing Gibons Mbwana (doctormbwana@gmail.com) COVID – 19 TOT training skills URL to file
4. Internal document AI chatbot search project MPH program at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Institute of Public Health, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America Upload large personal documents and query them privately. Dr Avalon Adams-Thames Python, Django URL for chatbot
URL for YouTube information for use

SKILLS

S/NoSKILLCERTIFICATION
1.Medical Laboratory Quality Management system (ISO 15189:2022)Application based
2.COVID-19 rapid testing Trainer of TrainersURL to document
3.COVID-19 Genome sequencing and Bio-informaticsURL to document
4.HIV early infant diagnosis proficiency testing sample productionURL to document
5.HIV viral load proficiency testing sample productionURL to document
6.Abbott Alinity MURL to document
7.PythonApplication based
8.SASApplication based
9.SmartsheetsApplication based
10.Power BIApplication based
11.Microsoft OfficeApplication based

PRESENTATIONS

S/NoEVENT NAMEDATELOCATIONTOPICPICTURE
1.36th MeLSAT SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE, EXHIBITION AND AGM September 27, 2023Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania ROLE OF NPHL IN QUALITY ASSURANCE TOWARDS UHCURL to file
2.THE 2ND ANNUAL ONE FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMIT March 1, 2025101 N Parramore Ave, Orlando, FL REACT4EJURL to file
3.FPHA 2025 STUDENT CONFERENCE April 4, 2025Nicholson Center, Celebration, FL ASSESSMENT OF HIV INTERVENTION AMONG FSW IN TANZANIA URL to file

RECOMMENDATIONS

S/NoRECOMMENDATION SOURCECONTACT INFORMATIONAFFILIATIONLETTER
1.Arlesia Mathis, Ph.D.arlesia.mathis@famu.edu, (850) 599-3104Professor, HPM, FAMUURL to file
2.Sarah Buxbaum, Ph.D.sarah.buxbaum@famu.edu, (850) 599-3301Assoc. Professor of Biostatistics, FAMUURL to file

DOCUMENTS

CURRICULUM VITAE (CV) RESUME

MY STORY

Career Start

I completed my Bachelor's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College.

Trials and Tribulations

I completed my paid internship at Bugando Medical Center, Central Pathology Laboratory. I experienced a very hard time getting a job to the point that i questioned my career choices.

Just a Chance

I was able to secure my first proffesional responsibility as a Volunteer teaching assistant. I was responsible for NTA level 4,5 and 6 at Muhimbili College of Health and Allied Sciences, Laboratory Department.

Light at the end of the Tunnel

My first contract Job. I was hired as the Head of the Medical Laboratory Department by Paradigms Institute Dar es salaam. I was tasked with overseeing academic exellence for laboratory NTA level 4,5 and 6 students.

The Breakthrough 🙌🏿

Hired by the Ministry of Health as a Health Laboratory Scientist and placed at the National Public Health Laboratory. I worked hand in hand in mitigation of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Graceful Days

Appointed by the National Public Health Laboratory Managegent to lead the HIV Molecular testing department.

Living the Dream

I was enrolled for Masters in Public health and i secured a Graduate assistant scholarship at the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

CONTACTS

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