He pursued a career in Medicine and Public health to be part of transformative, system-wide solutions that sustainably improve health outcomes on a broader scale. With a passion for both science and service, Dr Guy Kayeye Muula was drawn to the idea of using research to tackle some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.

When he joined the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) on 1st August 2019, it was with a clear ambition to thrive in an environment that seamlessly blended hands-on implementation with cutting-edge research.

“CIDRZ was the only organisation that had both research and implementation programmes,” he says. “It provided a convenient environment that could advance my career as a public health specialist.”

Dr Muula’s journey began as a Medical Mentor under the Achieving Control of the HIV Epidemic (ACHIEVE), Provincial Ownership to Uplift delivery of HIV/TB Services in Zambia (ProudZ) project. Although his time on the project was brief, lasting only three months, it was instrumental in guiding him to where he truly belonged: the Research Department.

“It was a short stay, but it was meaningful. I found where I truly belong when I moved to the Research Department,” he reflects.

Today, he serves as a Research Physician/Clinician, managing several high-impact projects funded by world-renowned institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS in Southern Africa (IeDEA-SA).

“In my current role, I oversee daily research activities, ensure regulatory compliance, and coordinate with our funders and collaborators, both local and international,” he explains. “I also contribute to the scientific side, from writing grant proposals to publishing manuscripts and abstracts.”

For Dr Muula, CIDRZ has been more than just a workplace. It has been a place of opportunity, where he has been able to grow professionally and turn meaningful ideas into impactful action.

Despite holding a Master of Public Health when he joined CIDRZ, Dr Muula candidly reflects on how much he still had to learn. Over the years, the organisation has been instrumental in expanding his skillset, refining his scientific acumen, and guiding his growth into a multifaceted public health professional.

His motivation to pursue this career path stems from a deep desire to be part of the solution during global health crises. “The world has experienced several health catastrophes, and in most cases, the health system response is late or inappropriate. Research is the only way to answer such questions and guide public health response,” he explains.

Among his proudest achievements at CIDRZ is the collaborative nature of the work he leads. The ability to ideate, plan, execute, and disseminate findings with a dedicated team has been immensely fulfilling. Even when faced with the challenge of implementing his first project during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Muula rose to the occasion, aligning participant visits with Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) schedules to ensure project continuity despite travel restrictions.

Looking ahead, he is excited by the evolving landscape of medical research, particularly the rapid development of new medicines, vaccines, and the integration of artificial intelligence into public health. He believes Africa is entering a new era in which local research institutions will lead innovation in tackling homegrown challenges.

His career has also been shaped by mentorship and meaningful feedback. He recalls being deeply encouraged by simple but affirming words: “You are doing well, keep it up.” It is this spirit of perseverance and his passion for fighting deadly diseases that keep him going even on the most demanding days. My father told me years back that “A man who has never built a house at the age of 45 has 90% chances of never building any house in his life“. This only meant that we should use the current opportunity to change the world while we can.

Outside of work, Dr Muula is a family man and Christian, committed to attending church on Sundays, making time for personal wellness, jogging twice a week and playing soccer every Saturday night.

“I am actively involved in the Great North community, where we raise funds for underprivileged children, a cause that is very close to my heart. If I were not in public health, I would probably be on the football pitch as a professional player or living a quiet life as a full-time farmer,” He said.

If given the choice to travel anywhere in the world, Dr Muula would not choose a distant city or exotic destination, instead, he would return to his village, seeking to reconnect with his roots and rediscover the foundation that shaped who he is today.

Inspired by “Blessed Hands” by Dr Ben Carson and the strategic brilliance of “Prison Break,” Dr Muula draws strength from stories where intellect, resilience, and purpose triumph against the odds. “It’s not just entertainment,” he says, “it’s a reflection of my belief that with the right mindset and strategy, even the impossible becomes possible.” These choices mirror his own life philosophy, where passion and perseverance are the keys to unlocking lasting impact in public health and research.

Dr Muula believes that “every challenge has a blueprint”, you need the courage and clarity to find it.

It is this mindset that fuels his work in research and public health, where resilience, innovation, and purpose come together to solve complex health challenges and create lasting impact.