Dr. Zvifadzo Matsena Zingoni Story

I, Zvifadzo Matsena Zingoni, am currently a post-doctoral researcher working as a biostatistician with the Centre of Biomedical Modeling group within the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles. I was born and raised in Chiredzi, Masvingo, Zimbabwe where I did my primary (Ngwindi Primary School) and secondary (Hippo Valley High) education. I graduated with my BSc in Biochemistry and Statistics in 2006 and my Masters in Biostatistics in 2012 from the University of Zimbabwe, Harare.

I started working at the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) under the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe as a principal research technologist in Chiredzi and my role was mainly field, and laboratory based. This institution generated lots of data, but they did not have anyone with the expertise to analyse the data. For the most part, they relied on private biostatisticians for support. This motivated me to pursue an MSc in Biostatistics, which I finished in 2012 and was re-appointed to Harare so that I could support medical research officers in their respective research units-malaria (entomology and parasitology), HIV and schistosomiasis.

In 2017, I enrolled for my PhD at the Witwatersrand University and my primary supervisor was Prof Eustatius Musenge, while Prof Tobias Chirwa and Prof Jim Todd were co-supervisors. I was awarded the SSACAB fellowship and became part of the first SSACAB PhD cohort. In 2020, I became the first female SSACAB PhD graduate. My PhD was on “Monitoring HIV disease progression among adult HIV patients on ART in Zimbabwe: Spatial and Multistate models”. This topic was inspired by the high HIV incidences and lower antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage rate at the time which was low and the “treat all” strategy was implemented. Understanding the HIV progression and identifying the regions with low viral suppression and poor ART outcomes was crucial to guide the rolling out of the “treat all” and sub-populations at high risk. My PhD research identified that men were in a “blind spot” in HIV prevention, late ART would increase poor viral suppression and areas bordering with other countries and have high mobility had poor ART outcomes. One of my research recommendations was to strengthen male involvement and provide HIV treatment for longer periods especially for highly mobile people to encourage adherence. Also, spatial heterogeneity of poor ART outcomes was crucial to identify areas for targeted interventions. I published 6 papers including a book chapter.

My experiences as a SSACAB fellow were nothing short of amazing. As a SSACAB fellow, I had opportunities to present my research work at local, regional and international conferences including the DELTAS AGM and Scientific Conference in Senegal (2019) and the International Biometric Conference (Latvia 2022). SSACAB gave me a platform to network with other fellows and other senior researchers from various institutions. Taking MSc courses while doing my PhD was a deal breaker for me as it helped me to acquire new skills fast in class and utilise them in my PhD research especially the spatial modelling module which became one of my favourites and possibly niche. I also had teaching (lecturing) opportunities and research consultancy opportunities supporting the Wits Faculty of Health Science and School of Public Health.

SSACAB created a strong foundation for me as a biostatistician and young researcher, more so, as a female scientist. SSACAB opened doors and opportunities I could have never imagined. I learnt how to apply for grants including the National Research Fund (NRF) postdoctoral grants which was successful. The NRF outcome made me realise that competition inspired me to try global opportunities leading me to the United States of America. I also collaborated in the DANIDA climate change and non-communicable disease grant application which is currently being implemented in Tanzania. To date, I have published 30 manuscripts and supervised one PhD student and 3 master’s students from Wits University and Stellenbosch University. I have supported several research projects as a lead statistician including UNICEF South Africa where I was contracted to be a consultant. I am currently leading the National Institute of Heath Cholera Modeling research grant application on spatial modelling here in the Biomedical Modeling Research group at UCLA. This September I will be giving a talk at the Royal Statistical Society in London and the International Biometric Society Conference in Atlanta in December, and I give all credit to SSACAB for a well-laid foundation.

Reflecting on my career journey, I never imagined it would go this far. I am thankful to the SSACAB consortium for awarding the fellowship to people like me who would not have been able to support themselves in to my supervisors for their commitment and dedication-still holding my hand even today as I continue to chase my dreams and navigate my career path.

Once you are a SSACAB fellow – you will always be! SSACAB gave me so much more than I could ever imagined or dreamt! Forever a proud SSACAB fellow!