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The Epi-TB Project

Meet our team

DR ALIASGAR ESMAIL
INTERNATIONAL PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Dr. Aliasgar Esmail is a specialist physician and pulmonologist at Groote Schuur Hospital and Head of the Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Cape Town Lung Institute. With a PhD focused on tuberculosis, he has led multi-country clinical trials and established a post-TB lung disease clinic. Dr. Esmail has published extensively in high-impact journals, contributed to major research grants, and mentors emerging scientists. His work addresses respiratory infections, diagnostic innovations, and improving care for underserved populations globally. He was awarded the Stephen Lawn HIV/TB Research Leadership prize at the 2024 Union conference.

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DR LOUIÉ KÜHN
PROJECT MANAGER, CAPE TOWN SITE LEAD

Dr. Louié Kühn holds an MBChB from Stellenbosch University and an MSc in International Public Health from Liverpool John Moores University. As a young researcher, Dr. Kühn is dedicated to strengthening healthcare systems through research and is currently the project manager for the Epi-TB study, She has developed research protocols, and trained site staff at all the recruitment sites. She is a presenter of Good Clinical Practice courses and co-founded the Winelands Philharmonic Orchestra, reflecting her passion for both healthcare and the arts.

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PROF COENRAAD KOEGELENBERG
SITE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY

Prof. Coenraad (Coenie) Koegelenberg is a renowned clinician researcher in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Appointed as a professor in 2017, his research focuses on lung cancer, pleural diseases, transthoracic ultrasound, and interventional pulmonology. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers and is a past president and current executive council member of the South African Thoracic Society. Prof. Koegelenberg is also active in teaching and advancing interventional pulmonology in South Africa.

PROF KENNEDY NYAMANDE
SITE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL

Prof. Kennedy Nyamande, a distinguished pulmonologist and researcher, has made significant contributions to TB research and pulmonary medicine. Born in Gweru, Zimbabwe, he trained in both Zimbabwe and South Africa, earning his PhD in 2004. Prof. Nyamande has been a key figure in the Department of Pulmonology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he is now Head of Department. He is leading the establishment of a multidisciplinary TB, lung cancer, and chronic lung disease research unit at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, Durban.

DR JUNIOR MUTSVANGWA
SITE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

Dr. Junior Mutsvangwa is a clinical microbiologist (PhD) with over 15 years of experience in laboratory diagnostics, biomedical research, and health system strengthening. A certified monitoring and evaluation expert for TB and HIV, she has led numerous large, internationally-funded research projects. During her tenure at the Biomedical Research and Training Institute in Harare, Zimbabwe, Dr. Mutsvangwa has contributed to surveys, capacity building, and improving healthcare outcomes.

DR OMAR SIDDIQI
SITE CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
ZAMBART

Dr. Omar Siddiqi is a specialist neurologist and associate professor with Harvard Medical School's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He has extensive experience in Zambia, where he has contributed significantly to research on neurological complications of TB, including TB-related meningitis and neurological impairments in TB/HIV co-infected patients. Dr. Siddiqi works closely with local healthcare teams, leading initiatives to improve TB diagnosis and management, while advancing neurological care for TB patients in Zambia.

DR KONDWELANI MATEYO
SITE CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
ZAMBART

Dr. Mateyo is a pulmonologist with extensive experience in managing TB/HIV co-infected patients, leading the respiratory unit at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. He oversees the clinical management of TB and HIV patients and is involved in advanced diagnostic procedures. A member of key national and international committees, Dr. Mateyo contributes to TB guidelines and antimicrobial stewardship. He supervises Masters students on TB-related research, with theses focusing on TB diagnosis and tuberculosis-related empyema.

PROF PAUL CORSTJENS
SITE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
LEIDEN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTRE

Prof Paul Corstjens is an expert in molecular sciences with a PhD in Biochemistry from Leiden University. His research has spanned bacterial and algal biomineralization, CO2 fixation, and HIV in saliva. He founded the NPD research group at LUMC, collaborating internationally with academia and industry. His work focuses on advanced diagnostics using lateral flow and UCP reporter technology. Prof Corstjens has established global research networks, with funding from NIH, BMGF, EDCTP, COST, and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs.

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DR PHILIPPA RANDALL
IRISA-TB INNOVATION LEAD
ANTRUM BIOTECH

Dr. Philippa Randall is a seasoned research scientist with 9 years of expertise in immunology, diagnostic development, and clinical trial evaluation for infectious diseases. Skilled in medical laboratory testing, she has contributed to innovations like the IRISA-TB tuberculosis diagnostic test, which is central to the Epi-TB study. Dr. Randall holds patents and has co-supervised graduate students. She has been invited to present at prestigious conferences globally, including the American Thoracic Society and the TB Union.

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