Overview
I have a strong belief that all children diagnosed with cancer should have the same chance of cure regardless of where they live. Since 2014, i have spent six or more months per year in Mwanza, Tanzania, at the Bugando Medical Centre as part of the Duke Global Cancer Program. In addition to developing capacity for pediatric cancer care, my research focuses on creating interventions to improve outcomes and reducing treatment abandonment in low resource settings.
As a trained pediatric neuro-oncologist, I am also involved in neuro-oncology capacity development in Sub-Saharan Africa, and am collaborating with a multidisciplinary team in Tanzania to establish diagnostic and treatment opportunities for patients.
As a trained pediatric neuro-oncologist, I am also involved in neuro-oncology capacity development in Sub-Saharan Africa, and am collaborating with a multidisciplinary team in Tanzania to establish diagnostic and treatment opportunities for patients.
Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
·
2023 - Present
Pediatrics, Hematology-Oncology,
Pediatrics
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2020 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Scholarly Works
Evaluating the current neuro-oncology capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa: A questionnaire-based survey.
Journal article Neurooncol Pract · June 2026 BACKGROUND: Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This project aimed to assess and map out the current neuro-oncology capacity in SSA, brain tumor registries, and biobanks. METHO ... Full text Link to item CiteEvaluating the Safety of a Ketamine Sedation Protocol In a Pediatric Oncology Population in Tanzania: A Quality Improvement Project.
Journal article AANA J · April 1, 2026 This project aimed to reintroduce and evaluate a pediatric ketamine sedation protocol at a Zonal Referral Center in Mwanza, Tanzania, where nonanesthesia clinicians provide sedation when trained anesthesia personnel are unavailable. The objectives were to ... Full text Link to item CiteLate-Breaking | Impact of Community Education Program for Retinoblastoma in Tanzania
Conference PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER · April 2026 Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Multimedia caregiver education program to improve outcomes for children with cancer in low-resource settings
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Cancer Institute · 2023 - 2028Improving access to cancer care for children in Tanzania: Designing a health-systems intervention
ResearchAdvisor · Awarded by Fogarty International Center · 2022 - 2027Improving Chemotherapy Safe Handling at Bugando Medical Center
ResearchSignificant Contributor · Awarded by Perrysburg Rotary Service Foundation · 2022 - 2024View All Grants
Education
Georgetown University, School of Medicine ·
2007
M.D.
West Virginia University ·
2002
M.P.H.