Paul Kilumba Somwe is an experienced Strategic Information Manager at the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), where he oversees data management and analysis within the Strategic Information Department. His career started modestly in 2010 when he became a Data Associate. Despite this humble beginning, Paul’s dedication, hard work, and expertise have led him to significant achievements both academically and professionally. From earning a diploma in IT in 2010 to pursuing a PhD! From a Data Associate to managing Strategic Information!

In March 2010, Paul graduated with a Diploma in Information Technology from Copperbelt University (CBU) in Kitwe, earning the title of Best Graduating Student. This achievement clearly marked the start of Paul’s consistent commitment to excellence.

During a short-term consultancy at CIDRZ, initially planned for three weeks, he identified a database bug and quickly reported it to his supervisor. This proactive move not only impressed his supervisor but also opened the door to more opportunities. When asked about his familiarity with the database, Paul mentioned that he was fortunate to have worked with the same database management system during his final-year project at CBU. This revelation piqued his supervisor’s interest, leading to his assignment to develop a study database for a TB screening and diagnosis research project. “Confident in my abilities, I designed the database, securing me a two-year consulting contract,” he said. This marked the beginning of Paul’s successful career in Information Technology at CIDRZ. After designing the database, Paul secured a permanent role as a Data Coordinator in the tuberculosis department, a position he held for two years.

In 2014, Paul moved to a new project, the BetterInfo Study, where he continued to excel and make significant contributions. During this time, he also dedicated his free time to furthering his education. Between 2013 and 2015, he completed an IMIS Higher Diploma with the British Computer Society via distance learning. This was followed by earning an Honorary Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems and Networking from the University of Greenwich, London. In August 2016, Paul received a one-month scholarship to pursue MS Certified Solutions Associate Certifications at Master Grade IT School of Computing in Cape Town, South Africa.

When asked how he balanced work and education, Paul explained, “Balancing both was challenging, but I was determined to succeed in each. Despite a demanding job, I created a detailed schedule that helped me manage both. I studied early in the morning from 04:00 to 06:00, then worked from 08:00 to 17:30. In the evenings, I spent two and a half hours attending classes starting at 18:00, which I saw as an investment in my education,” he said.

Paul praises CIDRZ, which provided him with a 35% Education Refund Scholarship. “I genuinely appreciate CIDRZ for leading initiatives that inspire employees to elevate their professional qualifications,” he said.

Alongside his academic pursuits, Paul performed exceptionally at his job, leading to his promotion to Data Manager for the ACHIEVE project from January 2017 to December 2020. While working with ACHIEVE, he considered enrolling in a master’s program but was uncertain about which direction to choose. After consulting colleagues, he was recommended to study Epidemiology, a discipline he was initially unfamiliar with.
He recalled consulting multiple experts at CIDRZ, such as medical doctors and public health specialists. They mostly recommended he pursue Epidemiology, which puzzled him because he had little knowledge of the field.

Paul dedicated time to researching the field of Epidemiology and then became interested in furthering his education. He applied to three universities in Australia, Zambia, and England. Fortunately, he was accepted by all three. “I ultimately chose the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England, primarily because of its distance learning option, which fit well with my work commitments,” he explained. However, funding his education was a major challenge. One day, he shared the news of his acceptance to pursue a master’s program with a coworker, who advised him to ask Dr. Carolyn Bolton-Moore, CIDRZ’s Chief Medical Officer, about possible scholarships. As it turned out, Dr. Bolton-Moore assured him that CIDRZ would sponsor his education.

“I was truly overwhelmed with excitement; it was a surprising answer, but it was the outcome I had hoped and prayed for,” he recounted. His master’s journey began afterward, which he described as intense and demanding since he was entering a new field. Paul completed the program in just three years, graduating successfully in 2020, even though the school allowed up to five years for completion. He mentioned that the course greatly enhanced his understanding of public health issues, allowing him to conduct, analyze, and appreciate topics like HIV viral load and treatment interruption in adolescent HIV patients.

This inspired Paul to present posters at international venues. His debut was at the International Workshop on HIV & Adolescence 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa, followed by another at the VASE conference in Washington, DC, USA.

He recently published a paper titled “Evaluating InferVision’s Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) algorithm for Tuberculosis (TB) screening, Lusaka, Zambia.” He is currently working on another manuscript related to the One Health Baseline Research Study project he led. Additionally, he has contributed to numerous other manuscript publications.

Paul, married and a father of two, is an enthusiastic player on the CIDRZ soccer team. He manages multiple projects at once and credits CIDRZ for helping him develop practical multitasking skills.

He continues to thank CIDRZ for giving him purpose and hope, stating, “I take great pride in my work here. While I may not be the brightest, I strive to contribute to the organization’s mission and vision. Our work has a tangible impact on others, and that’s incredibly fulfilling.”