Postdoc Spotlight: Dr. Francis Mwimanzi

Dr. Francis Mwimanzi started his CTN Mark Wainberg Postdoctoral Fellowship in the summer of 2022. A biomedical scientist who specializes in virology and immunology, Dr. Mwimanzi has embarked on a project to improve our understanding of the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines among people living with HIV.

But how did he get to where he is today?

“I have been personally impacted by HIV and AIDS, losing six of my relatives to the conditions,” said Dr. Mwimanzi. “As a result, I developed a strong desire to understand HIV immunopathology, through which we can find ways to develop therapeutics, vaccines, and a cure, and ultimately alleviate or eradicate HIV and AIDS in my community, and others.”

Growing up in Tanzania, Dr. Mwimanzi’s exposure to HIV and AIDS went beyond familial. He also spent time working as a physician at Muhimbili National Hospital, where he was exposed to the devastating effects of HIV and AIDS throughout his community.

“This experience highlighted to me the limitations of my medical skills, which focused on alleviating the suffering of what often seemed like a never-ending caseload of clients, rather than preventing new infections or AIDS-defining illnesses,” he explained. “This further ignited my strong desire to improve the lives of people living with HIV.”

Crossing continents

After completing his PhD and Doctor of Medicine degrees in Tanzania, and gaining invaluable experience as a physician, Dr. Mwimanzi boarded a plane and flew to Vancouver. Eager to further his knowledge and understanding, he undertook a postdoctoral fellowship at Simon Fraser University on HIV-1 immunopathogenesis, under the supervision of CTN Investigator Dr. Zabrina Brumme.

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During the Canada Post strike announced September 25, 2025, the following measures will be undertaken to minimize service disruption to BC-CfE clients and providers.

  • The BC-CfE Laboratory has transitioned to private courier for delivery of outgoing reports and documents. Results required urgently can be faxed upon request. (Lab Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8775; FAX 604-806-9463)
  • The BC-CfE Drug Treatment Program (DTP) will fax outgoing forms and documents to the provider’s office. (DTP Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8515; FAX 604-806-9044)
  • St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy has transitioned to private courier for delivery of medications. We recommend requesting medication at least 2 weeks in advance in case of delivery delays, particularly to rural/remote parts of BC. (Contact Information: Phone 1-800-547-3622; FAX 604-806-8675)

During the Canada Post strike, we recommend that documents be faxed or couriered to our sites, versus utilization of regular mail service

The BC-CfE Laboratory is streamlining reporting processes for certain tests in order to simplify distribution and record-keeping, and to ensure completeness of results. Beginning September 2, 2025, results for the ‘Resistance Analysis of HIV-1 Protease and Reverse Transcriptase’ (Protease-RT) and ‘HIV-1 Integrase Resistance Genotype’ tests will be combined into a single ‘HIV-1 Resistance Genotype Report’.
For more details and example reports, please click on the button below