Dr Jane Achan is the coordinator of the malaria group within the Disease Control and Elimination Theme. Jane plays a pivotal leadership role in strengthening the quality of science delivery within the malaria group. Her wealth of experience having worked in the field of paediatrics since 1999, Jane is one of the most experienced Ugandan paediatricians specialised in infectious disease care and actively involved in research on malaria and HIV. For the past 2 years, Jane has significantly improved the coordination of a large multidisciplinary malaria team within the related activities across MRC Unit The Gambia (MRCG). Prior to joining MRCG in 2014, Dr Jane Achan was a Lecturer in the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health of Makerere University College of Health Sciences in Kampala, Uganda and the President of the Uganda Pediatric Association. Dr Jane did her master’s degree in paediatrics and child health at the Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda in 2001. She then pursued an MSc, in Clinical trials, at the University of London, in 2008 and in 2009, Dr Achan was awarded an institutional scholarship from the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium for her PhD studies.

Jane’s research interest is in Clinical Trials, Infectious Diseases and Pediatrics and has written several high impact publications about her research. Jane has a track record of delivering remarkable science and has received numerous awards of recognition for her work. As part of her role, Jane represents the Malaria group internally and externally, especially with the National Malaria Control Programme and as an inspirational leader, Jane gives support to more junior scientists to ensure outputs are well generated within the different malaria projects.

Jane has contributed to some high impact publications from the malaria team and also been involved in several grant applications that will contribute new areas of research under the Theme. Beyond these coordinating activities, Jane is pursuing her career as an independent scientist and looking forward to having her own niche within the malaria field.

Professor Umberto D’alessandro, Director said “ I had the opportunity and pleasure of supervising Jane during her PhD, which was on the management of malaria patients, including those infected with HIV. When she accepted to move from Uganda to The Gambia, to become the coordinator of the malaria group, I was particularly pleased because I knew she was the right person for such position. Indeed, Jane has contributed substantially to our malaria research activities and I strongly believe she has the potential of becoming an independent and influential scientist in her field. We will definitely support her in this endeavor.”