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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 Agricultural and Mechanical University. My area of focus is Epidemiology and Biostatistics. I engage in 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 was responsible for ensuring implementation of ISO 15189 quality system, coordinated HIV Viral load and HIV Early Infant Diagnosis proficiency testing which conforms with ISO 17043, cordination of sample referral networks for HIV viral load and early infant diagnosis in the section, and participation in supportive supervision for quality assurance. I also contributed to operational readiness to COVID-19 through participation in trainings such as SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing & bioinformatics (Africa CDC/ILRI) and COVID-19 rapid test trainer of trainers.

At FAMU, i worked as a Graduate Assistant supporting community environmental restoration requests through Zendesk, presenting at environmental conferences, and right now, i am contributing to technical work in the Soil Science Laboratory. This complements my Public health background by strengthening cross-disciplinary problem-solving and stakeholder communication. I am 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 improving public health through evidence-based methods and the implementation of software methods to simplify and improve public health work. I am 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 epidemiology 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) Project file
2. Program performance management architecture creation using smartsheets 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 Project 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 Project certificate
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 Link to chatbot
Link to chatbot video

SKILLS

S/NoSKILLCERTIFICATION
1.Medical laboratory quality management system (ISO 15189:2022)Application based
2.COVID-19 rapid testing Trainer of TrainersCertificate
3.COVID-19 Genome sequencing and Bio-informaticsCertificate
4.HIV early infant diagnosis proficiency testing sample productionCertificate
5.HIV viral load proficiency testing sample productionCertificate
6.Abbott Alinity MCertificate
7.PythonApplication based
8.SASApplication based
9.SmartsheetsApplication based
10.Power BIApplication based
11.Microsoft OfficeApplication based

PRESENTATIONS

S/NoEVENT NAMEDATELOCATIONTOPICPICTURE
1.The 36th MeLSAT Scientific conference, exhibition and annual general meeting September 27, 2023Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Role of National Public Health Laboratory in quality assurance towards universal health carePresentation file
2.The 2nd Annual One-Florida environmental summit March 1, 2025101 N Parramore Ave, Orlando, FL REACT4EJPresentation file
3.Florida Public Health Association 2025 student conference April 4, 2025Nicholson Center, Celebration, FL Assesment of HIV interventions among female sex workers in Tanzania Presentation file

RECOMMENDATIONS

S/NoRECOMMENDATION SOURCECONTACT INFORMATIONAFFILIATIONLETTER
1.Dr Arlesia Mathis, Ph.D., CPH, CPMarlesia.mathis@famu.edu, (850) 599-3104Professor - Health Policy and ManagementRecommendation letter
2.Dr Avalon Adams-Thames, DrPH MPH avalon.adamsthame@famu.edu, (850) 599-3368Assistant Professor, FAMURecommendation letter

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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