The Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) Management has appointed Dr. Yeromin Paul Mlacha as Head of the Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences (EHES) Department and Dr. Issa Hassani Mshani as Deputy Head of the Department, effective November 1, 2026.

Dr. Yeromin Paul Mlacha is an experienced vector biologist with nearly 15 years of expertise in designing, implementing and managing vector control programmes. His research focuses on understanding the ecology and control of mosquito vectors responsible for transmitting malaria and arboviral diseases, including dengue, chikungunya and Zika.

His broader scientific interests include infectious diseases, environmental change and host–parasite interactions, with a particular emphasis on generating evidence to strengthen mosquito surveillance and vector control strategies.

Dr. Issa Hassani Mshani is a computational medical biologist whose research combines emerging technologies with public health applications. His work focuses on using artificial intelligence, machine learning and infrared spectroscopy to improve malaria detection and surveillance.

Dr. Mshani's contributions to malaria research have also earned international recognition. In 2023, he was among 18 early-career scientists worldwide to receive the Young Investigator Award from the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH).

Under the new leadership structure, Dr. Mshani will serve as Deputy Head of EHES at the Ifakara Station, while Dr. Brian Tarimo will continue serving as Deputy Head at the Bagamoyo Station, supporting the department's research activities across both locations.

The appointments bring together complementary expertise in vector biology, computational science and emerging technologies, positioning the department to further advance research, innovation and collaboration in environmental health and the prevention of vector-borne diseases.

Ifakara congratulates Dr. Mlacha and Dr. Mshani on their appointments and looks forward to their contributions towards strengthening the Institute's scientific impact in Tanzania and beyond.