The Ifakara Health Institute held the inaugural MAP Early Career Researcher (ECR) Training and Mentorship Program Symposium from July 9–10, 2025, at its offices located in Dar es Salaam.

The symposium provided a dynamic platform for participants to share experiences through peer exchanges and expert feedback, enhance professional skills through targeted sessions and workshops, explore emerging research trends and cutting-edge methodologies, and expand the impact of their work through discussions on evidence translation and policy engagement.

MAP is a WHO Collaborating Centre that delivers data-driven insights to support global malaria control and elimination efforts. It operates through two nodes: one at the Kids Research Institute in Perth, Australia, and the other at Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the MAP Dar Node provides technical assistance to over 20 malaria-endemic countries across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The event, hosted by the Malaria Atlas Project (MAP) Dar Node, marked the culmination of a six-month training and mentorship journey for the first cohort of early career researchers from Tanzania and Zambia. The MAP ECR program is designed to nurture the next generation of scientific leaders in malaria research, equipping them with advanced research skills, critical thinking, and leadership tools.

The graduating cohort comprised research scientists from the MAP Dar Node, Apotheker, and the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR). 

The two-day event concluded with heartfelt closing remarks from Dr. Angel Dillip, Director of Programs and Operations at Apotheker, who expressed deep appreciation to Ifakara for fostering a nurturing environment for young scientists—reflecting on her own journey as a source of inspiration. 

Dr. Susan Rumisha, Principal Investigator of the project, encouraged early-career researchers to remain steadfast in their scientific pursuits and to embrace emerging technologies in mathematical modelling as a pathway to innovation in malaria research. 

Closing the event, Dr. Honorati Masanja, Executive Director of Ifakara, urged the graduates to make the most of the opportunities afforded to them and to apply their skills toward meaningful, real-world impact.

Ifakara is proud to support young researchers as they grow into confident, capable leaders contributing to malaria elimination efforts in Africa and beyond.