Meet Pauline Mukuka Musumali, a passionate nurse and researcher whose journey in HIV and TB research began with supporting expectant mothers through counselling during the early days of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme at Chipata Clinic. Her dedication to helping women make informed PMTCT decisions laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to improving public health.

In 2003, Pauline joined the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) as a Research Nurse under the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) project. In 2006, she transitioned to the role of Implementation Officer, gaining invaluable insights into the complexities of HIV programme management and building the skills that would shape her impactful career in public health research.

“Owing to my expertise in HIV research, in 2011, I was appointed as Quality Control Nurse for a comprehensive academic assessment on diarrheal diseases, specifically evaluating the coverage of the ROTA virus vaccine. After the diarrheal disease project concluded, I transitioned to the PopART project in 2013, continuing in my role as Quality Control Nurse,” Pauline narrates.

She then transitioned to the position of Project Coordinator for the ACHIEVE project from 2017 to 2020, managing HIV prevention and care efforts at Matero Main and Matero Referral Clinics. Her leadership and coordination skills were instrumental in navigating the complexities of HIV care and implementing effective strategies.

Thereafter, Pauline joined the TB Research Department in 2020, to oversee research activities, coordinate study protocols, and ensure data accuracy. Her work involved assessing TB prevalence in both children and adults, particularly among people living with HIV.

Currently, Pauline is serving as a Research Nurse on the Assessing Diagnostics at Point-of-Care for Tuberculosis (ADAPT) study, as part of the largest-ever coordinated global effort to advance TB diagnostic development.

Throughout her career, Pauline has accumulated a wealth of knowledge in HIV and TB research. She has become adept at interpreting complex data, managing large-scale research projects, and employing innovative technologies to enhance TB diagnosis. Her expertise extends to understanding prevention methods, diagnostic processes, and quality control in clinical research.

Pauline’s journey reflects a deep commitment to improving public health through research. Her diverse experiences and dedication make her a cornerstone of CIDRZ’s research team, contributing to significant advancements in both HIV and TB research. With each project, she continues to enhance her skills, employing innovative technologies like Sound AI to improve TB diagnosis and furthering the fight against infectious diseases. Pauline credits CIDRZ for shaping her both professionally and personally.

“CIDRZ has shaped my professional identity and helped me develop essential skills including, accountability, honesty, and a positive approach towards work. I chose to remain with an organisation that has significantly contributed to my growth,” she explains.

As a word of advice to fellow employees, Pauline encourages them to self-evaluate, put in their best effort, and contribute to moving the organisation forward. She emphasised the importance of acting promptly, saying, “Whatever assignment you are given, it is better to do it right then and there rather than postponing.”

Outside of her professional commitments, Pauline is a devoted mother of three and a grandmother. She cherishes her time with her family, finding joy in nurturing relationships and creating lasting memories together. In her spare time, Pauline enjoys gardening, a passion that allows her to connect with nature and unwind from her busy work life.