JAMES AGGREY MKANDAWIRE
Zomba
Summary
Seasoned Research Director with a proven track record at Invest in Knowledge, adept in interdisciplinary collaboration and data analysis using Stata and Nvivo. Spearheaded innovative studies, enhancing knowledge and driving policy changes. Excelled in team leadership and budget management, ensuring project success and stakeholder satisfaction.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Co Principal Investigator
Invest in Knowledge
Zomba
01.2018 - Current
- Conducted research, analyzed data, and wrote reports to support the Principal Investigator's objectives.
- Mentored junior researchers on project-related tasks such as data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
- Coordinated meetings with stakeholders to discuss project goals and objectives.
- Assisted in developing protocols for conducting clinical trials or studies.
- Performed literature reviews related to research topics and identified gaps in existing knowledge.
- Collaborated with other Co-Principal Investigators in writing reports summarizing the results of research activities.
- Reviewed statistical analyses conducted by team members for accuracy and completeness.
- Managed budgets for assigned projects within budgetary guidelines set forth by sponsors.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures governing research activities.
- Provided technical advice when needed on various aspects of a project such as equipment selection or protocol development.
- Attended regular meetings with Principal Investigator to review progress on ongoing projects.
Research Director
Invest in Knowledge
05.2012 - Current
- Champion research proposal development and grants application.
- Meet potential clients and partners for potential collaboration.
- Identify gaps that the organization could focus on for its corporate social responsibility.
- Developed and implemented research protocols to evaluate efficacy of new products.
- Analyzed data from clinical trials, surveys, and focus groups to identify areas for improvement.
- Conducted literature reviews and synthesized findings into comprehensive reports.
- Provided technical guidance and direction to project teams in the development of study plans and analysis strategies.
- Managed financial resources allocated to research projects while ensuring compliance with budget guidelines.
- Coordinated with external vendors to ensure timely delivery of services needed for research initiatives.
- Created presentations summarizing key findings from completed studies for internal stakeholders.
- Drafted, edited, and submitted manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
- Engaged in regular communication with researchers across various departments to coordinate efforts.
- Mentored junior staff members on best practices in conducting qualitative or quantitative analyses.
- Participated in conferences related to industry developments within the realm of scientific inquiry.
- Supervised data collection, data quality, analysis, evaluation and dissemination for research projects.
- Created data collection policies and practices and monitored uniform data collection compliance.
Principal Investigator
Mhirst-mentored grants
Zomba
01.2018 - 12.2020
- I designed the study by conducting literature reviews to inform research designs and methods.
- Applied for the study implementation grant.
- Developed and implemented research protocols for studies.
- Analyzed data to identify trends and patterns in research findings.
- Provided direction and guidance to staff members regarding study design, data collection, analysis, and reporting of results.
- Presented research findings at conferences or professional meetings.
- Organized focus groups with participants in order to gain insight into their experiences with a particular program or service.
Research Coordinator
Cooperation Strategy Program, USAIDS/Social Impact
09.2018 - 01.2020
- As project coordinator, my role was to make sure that I orient the research and data management teams on the protocols of the study and develop data quality control procedures. I also trained the research staff on research ethics.
- Provided support to field staff during data collection activities, including training on proper data entry procedures.
- Coordinated the recruitment of study participants through various channels, such as targeted advertisements and referrals from community partners.
Research Coordinator
Impact Evaluation of Country Development
Malawi
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Coordinated ethics application.
- Oversaw project management: training, field supervision, quality control, and feedback to research assistants.
- Provided feedback to both local and international research team
Research Coordinator
Baseline survey of the Malawi National Reading Program
01.2017 - 12.2017
- Led the team in the development and presentation of the inception report to the client and the funder.
- Coordinated training for Ministry of Education staff.
- Troubleshooting problems and providing solutions to the field challenges.
- Participated in results dissemination and provided feedback to the client on how future projects could be improved.
Research Coordinator
Evaluation of the Malawi Early Grade Reading Activities, USAID/Social Impact, Malawi
06.2013 - 01.2017
- Let the team develop the winning proposal for the client.
- Facilitated preparation of the ethics documents for approval of the study.
- Provided quality control activities during data collection.
- Facilitated writing the data collection report.
- Provided feedback to the final research report.
Co-Principal Investigator
STOP AIDS NOW Good Clinical governance Study
01.2015 - 12.2016
- As a co-investigator, I participated in the development of the study, i.e. Coming up with data collection methods, sample design, data collection tools, and study protocols.
- Did data collection of high-level stakeholders.
- Transcription and coding of the qualitative data.
- Data analysis and report writing.
- Presentation of research findings.
Research Director
Understanding Child Marriage in Malawi
01.2014 - 12.2014
- Developed the study design alongside the principal investigators.
- Recruited and trained data collection staff.
- Managed household listing to develop a sampling frame.
- Managed adat collections.
- Moderated focus group discussion and key informant interviews.
- Transcribed, translated, and coded the transcripts.
- Participated in data analysis and manuscript writing for publication.
Research Director
Mental Health and Cognitive Function of Elderly People in a High HIV-Prevalence SSA Context
01.2012 - 01.2014
- As research director my role was to coordinate all study activities.
- I oversaw recruitment and training of staff.
- I checked the management of project funds.
- Oversaw data quality in the field and during data management.
- checked and provided guidance and field report writing
- Participated in dissemination of results to national stakeholders.
Co-Consultant
Nested-Case Control study of the impact of Behavioral HIV prevention activities on the incidence of HIV in the Kingdom of Swaziland (NCC), Columbia University
01.2011 - 12.2012
- Assisted in developing new methods for data collection and analysis techniques.
- Developed data collection protocols, especially on sensitive topics such as sexual behaviors.
- I trained research assistants on best practices and field management in Swaziland.
Nurse Supervisor/Biomarker coordinator
Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health (MLSFH), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
01.2004 - 12.2011
- Provided guidance, mentoring, and coaching to research nurses.
- Managed all biomarker collections in the field.
- Provided HIV/AIDS counseling to respondents in the projects.
- I gave HIV test results and offered post-test counseling to respondents who had tested for HIV.
Team Leader
Adult Behavioral Survey (Karonga Prevention Study)
01.2007 - 12.2008
- Coordinated team activities and delegated tasks to ensure efficient completion of projects.
- Developed strategies for problem solving and conflict resolution among team members.
- Monitored daily workflow to ensure adherence to established policies and procedures.
- Held weekly staff meetings to review project updates, discuss issues, and brainstorm solutions.
- Delegated daily tasks to team members to optimize group productivity.
Field Coordinator
Likoma Network Study
01.2006 - 12.2007
- Assisted in the coordination of field activities, including scheduling and tracking.
- Managed household listing and distribution of respondents to enumerators.
- Managed procurement of HIV testing supplies.
- Facilitated community sensitization.
- Provided scrutiny and feedback on project protocols.
- Managed timelines and deadlines.
- Prepared budgets for upcoming field projects and monitored expenditures.
Bedside Nurse
Montfort Hospital
04.2005 - 12.2006
- this was my first job before joining the research field
- Assessed patients' vital signs and condition to determine appropriate care.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
- Provided education on health maintenance, disease prevention, and treatment of illnesses.
- Performed wound dressings, IV insertions and blood draws.
- Monitored patient's nutrition status and hydration levels.
- Maintained accurate records of patient care, condition, progress, and concerns in electronic medical records system.
- Documented all nursing interventions in a timely manner according to accepted standards of practice.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
Education
PhD - Global Health
University of Aberdeen
Scotland11.2024
Master of Public Health - Public Health
University of Malawi, College of Medicine
Malawi03-2014
Master of Public Health induction Course - Public Health
University of Malawi, College of Medicine
Malawi12-2010
Some College (No Degree) - Nursing And Midwifery
Malawi College of Health Sciences
Malawi04-2004
Skills
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Stata
- SPSS
- R (basic)
Computer competency
Data analysis and software
I am able to work with different software for qualitative and quantitative data analysis
Quantitative
- Nvivo
- Dedoose
- Grant writing proficiency
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Team leadership
- Budget management
- Regulatory compliance
- Interview coordination
- Research
Qualitative
Other skills
Motivationstatement
James is a self-motivated and experienced researcher, who is currently pursuing PhD studies in Global Health with the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. His research is looking at development of low-cost interventions that can help and motivate families to assume roles as trained health care providers within their families. In general community and family health has been his interest. He trained as a nurse and midwife at the Malawi College of Health Sciences in Malawi before proceeding to do his Masters Degree in Public Health at the University of Malawi. He also has vast research experience in running HIV and AIDS and sexual behavior related studies. Most of his work has been in research since graduating from the nursing course. He has extensive experience in data collection and study designs after taken part in the implementation of major studies his home country and abroad. This experience has given him hands on experience in the management of research projects. He also has experience in running implementation science projects, and he was awarded a mentored grant by the Fogarty International and M-hirst grants (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and University of Malawi). Besides his research experience, James has been in leadership role for over 15 years and 10 of those years have been spent at senior management as research director and organization director. He has coordinated company resources, managed, and negotiated project budgets, has overseen performance and deliverable for donor funded projects such as USAID, World Bank and Universities just to mention a few. He has spearheaded the development of research proposals and coordinated quality assurance activities.
Countries Of Work Experience
- Malawi
- South Africa
- Swaziland
Other trainings attended
- Good Clinical Practice
- Implementation Science Research Methods - University of Malawi and University of North Carolina
- Research Evaluation Methods - Evidence in Politics and Governance (EGAP)
- Data Management for Clinical Research (Vanderbilt University Coursera - Audited)
- Statistics in Medicine (Stanford University online - Audited)
- AIDS (Emory University Coursera)
- Certificate in HIV Counseling and Testing (Ministry of Health, Malawi)
- CITI Management of conflict of interests in research projects
- CITI Social and Behavioral Responsible Conduct of Research
- CITI Human Research - Social and Behavioral Research
Awards
- 2019, M-Hirst Fogarty mentored research grants, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and College of Medicine
- 2012, Population Association of America travel award, annual conference in San Francisco
Accomplishments
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Melnikas A, Mulauzi N, Mkandawire J and Amin S. Perceptions of minimum age at marriage laws and their enforcement: qualitative evidence from Malawi. BMC Public Health 2021; 21(1): 1–12.https://doi.org/10.1186/S12889-021-11434-Z
Andrea J. Melnikas, Grace Saul, Neelanjana Pandey, Mouhamadou Gueye, James Mkandawire, Aissa Diarra, Sajeda Amin. A conceptual framework for understanding child marriage, marriage markets, and marriageability. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[12s]: 78-87)
Andrea J. Melnikas, Nancy Mulauzi, James Mkandawire, Grace Saul, Sajeda Amin. “Then I will say that we have to marry each other”: A qualitative view of premarital pregnancy as a driver of child marriage in Malawi” (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[9]: 55-63).
Conroy AA, McKenna SA, Comfort ML, Darbes LA, Tan JY, Mkandawire J. Marital infidelity, food insecurity, and couple instability: A web of challenges for dyadic coordination around antiretroviral therapy. Soc Sci Med. 2018 Oct;214:110-117. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.08.006. Epub 2018 Aug 20. PMID: 30172140; PMCID: PMC6163055.
Conroy AA, Ruark A, McKenna SA, Tan JY, Darbes LA, Hahn JA, Mkandawire J. The Unaddressed Needs of Alcohol-Using Couples on Antiretroviral Therapy in Malawi: Formative Research on Multilevel Interventions. AIDS Behav. 2020 Jun;24(6):1599-1611. doi: 10.1007/s10461-019-02653-y. PMID: 31456201; PMCID: PMC7044068.
Conroy AA, Tebbetts S, Darbes LA, Hahn JA, Neilands TB, McKenna SA, Mulauzi N, Mkandawire J, Ssewamala FM. Development of an Economic and Relationship-Strengthening Intervention for Alcohol Drinkers Living with HIV in Malawi. AIDS Behav. 2022 Dec 15:1–16. doi: 10.1007/s10461-022-03956-3. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36520335; PMCID: PMC9753077.
Kohler, H.-P., S.C. Watkins, J.R. Behrman, P. Anglewicz, I.V. Kohler, R.L. Thornton, J. Mkandawire, H. Honde, A. Hawara, B. Chilima, C. Bandawe, V. Mwapasa, P. Fleming, and L. Kalilani-Phiri. 2015. "Cohort Profile: The Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health (MLSFH)." International Journal of Epidemi- ology. PMCID: PMC Journal – In Process. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyu049.
Helleringer, S., H.-P. Kohler, A. Chimbiri, P. Chatonda, and J. Mkandawire. 2009. "The Likoma Network Study: Context, Data Collection and Initial Results." Demographic Research 21(Article 15):427-468. PMCID: PMC2825888. http://dx.doi.org/10.4054/DemRes.2009.21.15.
Anglewicz, P., S. Bignami-Van Assche, S. Clark, and J. Mkandawire. 2010. "HIV Risk among Currently Married Couples in Rural Malawi: What Do Spouses Know About Each Other?" Aids and Behavior 14(1):103-112. PMCID: PMC3287046. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10461-008-9497-7.
Armbruster, B., S. Helleringer, L. Kalilani-Phiri, J. Mkandawire, and H.-P. Kohler. 2011. "Exploring the Relative Costs of Contact Tracing for Increasing HIV Case Finding in Sub-Saharan Countries." Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 58(2):e29-e36. PMCID: PMC3175252. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0b013e31822a9fa8.
Helleringer, S., H.-P. Kohler, L. Kalilani-Phiri, J. Mkandawire, and B. Armbruster. 2011. "The Reliability of Sexual Partnership Histories: Implications for the Measurement of Partnership Concurrency During Surveys." AIDS 25(4):503-511. PMCID: PMC3378948. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0b013e3283434485.
Payne, C.F., J. Mkandawire, and H.-P. Kohler. 2013. "Disability Transitions and Health Expectancies among Adults 45 Years and Older Mature in Malawi: A Cohort Modeling Approach." PLOS Medicine 10(5):e1001435. PMCID: PMC3646719.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001435.
Helleringer, S., J. Mkandawire, G. Reniers, L. Kalilani-Phiri, and H.-P. Kohler. 2013. "Should Home-Based HIV Testing and Counseling Services Be Offered Periodically in Programs of Arv Treatment as Prevention? A Case Study in Likoma (Malawi)." AIDS and Behavior 17(6):2100- 2108. PMCID: PMC3619025. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0365-0.
Helleringer, S., H.-P. Kohler, J.A. Frimpong, and J. Mkandawire. 2009. "Increasing Uptake of HIV Testing and Counseling among the Poorest in Sub-Saharan Countries through Home-Based Service Provision." Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 51(2):185-193. PMCID: PMC3068048. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0b013e31819c1726.
Yang, O.O., M.J. Lewis, E.F. Reed, D.W. Gjertson, L. Kalilani-Phiri, J. Mkandawire, S. Helleringer, and H.-P. Kohler. 2011. "Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I Haplotypes of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1-Infected Persons on Likoma Island, Malawi." Human Immunology 72(10):877-880. PMCID: PMC3175254. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.humimm.2011.05.003.
Helleringer, S., H.-P. Kohler, and J. Mkandawire. 2011. "Women Underestimate the Age of Their Partners During Survey Interviews: Implications for HIV Risk Associated with Age Mixing in Northern Malawi." Sexually Transmitted Diseases 38(11):1030-1035. PMCID: PMC3241211. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318227a486.
Unpublished
- Community level integration of family planning and HIV services to increase access of Family Planning and HIV services for adolescents., Mkandawire J, Conroy A, and Munthali A.
- Can third party reports strengthen the correlation between reported risky behaviors and HIV infection? The case of Likoma Network Study., Mkandawire James.
- HIV Counseling and Testing Fieldwork Manual., Mkandawire J, Chimbuto, Maluwa; Munthali, Patrick; Yesaya, L.; Mwenechanya, M, Jere, M. Chisale, C., http://www.malawi.pop.upenn.edu/
Oralconferencepresentations
- Do third-party reports improve the measurement of risky sexual behaviors? A validation study using social network data., National AIDS Commission Research Dissemination Conference, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Do third-party reports improve the measurement of risky sexual behaviors? A validation study using social network data., Population Association of America 2012 conference, San Francisco, USA
- Repeated participation in home-based HIV testing and counseling campaigns over a 3-year period: the costs of universal access., 2011 research dissemination conference of the University of Malawi’s College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
- Lessons learned in sexual behavior data collection in Malawi., Invited presentation to Swaziland’s National Emergency response council on HIV/AIDS 2011, Mbabane, Swaziland
- Home-based HIV testing and counseling reduces socioeconomic inequalities in access to services: evidence from Likoma, Malawi., 2008 research dissemination conference of Malawi’s National AIDS commission, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Uptake of home-based HIV testing and counseling in a rural community of Malawi., 2006 research dissemination conference of Malawi’s National AIDS commission, Lilongwe, Malawi
Otherconferences
Evidence in governance and politics Learning days, Yale University, USA
Certification
- Nurses and Midwifes council of Malawi
Affiliations
- Composing and singing
- Writing poems and short stories
- Involvement in charity work
References
- Amy A. Conroy, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine Center for AIDS Prevention Studies Division of Prevention Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, amy.conroy@ucsf.edu
- Adamson S. Muula PhD, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Malawi, College of Medicine School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre, Malawi, 3, amuula@medcol.mw, +265 884233486, adamson.sinjanimuula
- The principal, Malawi College of Health Sciences, P.O Box 144, Zomba, Malawi, registrar@mcs.mw, +2651756777/752
Timeline
Research Coordinator
Cooperation Strategy Program, USAIDS/Social Impact
09.2018 - 01.2020
Co Principal Investigator
Invest in Knowledge
01.2018 - Current
Principal Investigator
Mhirst-mentored grants
01.2018 - 12.2020
Research Coordinator
Baseline survey of the Malawi National Reading Program
01.2017 - 12.2017
Co-Principal Investigator
STOP AIDS NOW Good Clinical governance Study
01.2015 - 12.2016
Research Coordinator
Impact Evaluation of Country Development
01.2014 - 01.2018
Research Director
Understanding Child Marriage in Malawi
01.2014 - 12.2014
Research Coordinator
Evaluation of the Malawi Early Grade Reading Activities, USAID/Social Impact, Malawi
06.2013 - 01.2017
Research Director
Invest in Knowledge
05.2012 - Current
Research Director
Mental Health and Cognitive Function of Elderly People in a High HIV-Prevalence SSA Context
01.2012 - 01.2014
Co-Consultant
Nested-Case Control study of the impact of Behavioral HIV prevention activities on the incidence of HIV in the Kingdom of Swaziland (NCC), Columbia University
01.2011 - 12.2012
Team Leader
Adult Behavioral Survey (Karonga Prevention Study)
01.2007 - 12.2008
Field Coordinator
Likoma Network Study
01.2006 - 12.2007
Bedside Nurse
Montfort Hospital
04.2005 - 12.2006
Nurse Supervisor/Biomarker coordinator
Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health (MLSFH), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
01.2004 - 12.2011
PhD - Global Health
University of Aberdeen
Master of Public Health - Public Health
University of Malawi, College of Medicine
Master of Public Health induction Course - Public Health
University of Malawi, College of Medicine
Some College (No Degree) - Nursing And Midwifery
Malawi College of Health Sciences
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