Dr. Mwayiwawo Morrison Madanitsa is a distinguished Senior Lecturer and Head of Department at the Academy of Medical Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST). With a profound background as a Medical Doctor and a Senior Research Scientist, Dr. Madanitsa is a proficient in the field of clinical sciences and emerging medical technologies. He holds a PhD in Clinical Epidemiology from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, University of Liverpool, and the College of Medicine, University of Malawi, alongside a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the College of Medicine, University of Malawi.

Dr. Madanitsa has an extensive career marked by academic excellence and leadership. Currently, as the Head of the Department of Clinical Sciences at MUST, he spearheads academic and clinical staff across multiple programs and contributes to the strategic vision and mission of the Academy. His prior experiences highlight his executive management capabilities, where he has managed multidisciplinary teams of over 100 people, ensuring growth and sustainability in research and academic pursuits.

A prolific contributor to the scientific community, Dr. Madanitsa has authored numerous publications in reputable journals, focusing on areas such as malaria control and treatment during pregnancy, and the impact of antiretroviral therapy in malaria prevention. His research is not only academic but also practical, influencing health policies and contributing to local and international policy and practice, and technological advancements.

Dr. Madanitsa is driven by a desire to advance academic research and champion impactful scientific endeavors, and align academic intents with global industry trends. In administration, he employs a transformational leadership approach, emphasizing innovation, strategic development, and collaboration.

His commitment extends beyond teaching and research. Dr. Madanitsa serves as Vice Chairperson of the Malawi University of Science and Technology Research Ethics Committee and is a member of several professional bodies, including the Clinical Trials Review Committee of the Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority, and the National Malaria Task Force.

He is a registered Medical Practitioner with the Medical Council of Malawi and a member of the Society of Medical Doctors Malawi, showcasing his professional standing and network.

1.        Almond, D., Madanitsa, M., Mwapasa, V., Kalilani-Phiri, L., Webster, J., Ter Kuile, F., & Paintain, L. (2016). Provider and user acceptability of intermittent screening and treatment for the control of malaria in pregnancy in Malawi. Malar J, 15(1), 574. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-016-1627-5
2.        Banda, C. G., Nkosi, D., Allen, E., Workman, L., Madanitsa, M., Chirwa, M., Kapulula, M., Muyaya, S., Munharo, S., Tarning, J., Phiri, K. S., Mwapasa, V., Ter Kuile, F. O., Maartens, G., & Barnes, K. I. (2022). Impact of Dolutegravir-Based Antiretroviral Therapy on Piperaquine Exposure following Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnant Women Living with HIV. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 66(12), e0058422. https://doi.org/10.1128/aac.00584-22
3.        Banda, C. G., Nkosi, D., Allen, E., Workman, L., Madanitsa, M., Chirwa, M., Kapulula, M., Muyaya, S., Munharo, S., Tarning, J., Phiri, K. S., Mwapasa, V., Ter Kuile, F. O., Maartens, G., & Barnes, K. I. (2023). Erratum for Banda et al., "Impact of Dolutegravir-Based Antiretroviral Therapy on Piperaquine Exposure following Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnant Women Living with HIV". Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 67(1), e0156222. https://doi.org/10.1128/aac.01562-22
4.        Banda, C. G., Nkosi, D., Allen, E., Workman, L., Madanitsa, M., Chirwa, M., Kapulula, M., Muyaya, S., Munharo, S., Wiesner, L., Phiri, K. S., Mwapasa, V., Ter Kuile, F. O., Maartens, G., & Barnes, K. I. (2022). Effect of dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine for malaria intermittent preventive treatment on dolutegravir exposure in pregnant women living with HIV. J Antimicrob Chemother, 77(6), 1733-1737. https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkac081
5.        Cates, J. E., Unger, H. W., Briand, V., Fievet, N., Valea, I., Tinto, H., D'Alessandro, U., Landis, S. H., Adu-Afarwuah, S., Dewey, K. G., Ter Kuile, F. O., Desai, M., Dellicour, S., Ouma, P., Gutman, J., Oneko, M., Slutsker, L., Terlouw, D. J., Kariuki, S., . . . Rogerson, S. (2017). Malaria, malnutrition, and birthweight: A meta-analysis using individual participant data. PLoS Med, 14(8), e1002373. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002373
6.        Elphinstone, R. E., Weckman, A. M., McDonald, C. R., Tran, V., Zhong, K., Madanitsa, M., Kalilani-Phiri, L., Khairallah, C., Taylor, S. M., Meshnick, S. R., Mwapasa, V., Ter Kuile, F. O., Conroy, A. L., & Kain, K. C. (2019). Early malaria infection, dysregulation of angiogenesis, metabolism and inflammation across pregnancy, and risk of preterm birth in Malawi: A cohort study. PLoS Med, 16(10), e1002914. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002914
7.        Fernandes, S., Sicuri, E., Kayentao, K., van Eijk, A. M., Hill, J., Webster, J., Were, V., Akazili, J., Madanitsa, M., ter Kuile, F. O., & Hanson, K. (2015). Cost-effectiveness of two versus three or more doses of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria during pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: a modelling study of meta-analysis and cost data. Lancet Glob Health, 3(3), e143-153. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2214-109x(14)70385-7
8.        Gutman, J., Kalilani, L., Taylor, S., Zhou, Z., Wiegand, R. E., Thwai, K. L., Mwandama, D., Khairallah, C., Madanitsa, M., Chaluluka, E., Dzinjalamala, F., Ali, D., Mathanga, D. P., Skarbinski, J., Shi, Y. P., Meshnick, S., & ter Kuile, F. O. (2015). The A581G Mutation in the Gene Encoding Plasmodium falciparum Dihydropteroate Synthetase Reduces the Effectiveness of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine Preventive Therapy in Malawian Pregnant Women. J Infect Dis, 211(12), 1997-2005. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiu836
9.        Gutman, J. R., Khairallah, C., Stepniewska, K., Tagbor, H., Madanitsa, M., Cairns, M., L'Lanziva A, J., Kalilani, L., Otieno, K., Mwapasa, V., Meshnick, S., Kariuki, S., Chandramohan, D., Desai, M., Taylor, S. M., Greenwood, B., & Ter Kuile, F. O. (2021). Intermittent screening and treatment with artemisinin-combination therapy versus intermittent preventive treatment with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine for malaria in pregnancy: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. EClinicalMedicine, 41, 101160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101160
10.        Ho, A., Mapurisa, G., Madanitsa, M., Kalilani-Phiri, L., Kamiza, S., Makanani, B., Ter Kuile, F. O., Buys, A., Treurnicht, F., Everett, D., Mwapasa, V., Widdowson, M. A., McMorrow, M., & Heyderman, R. S. (2019). Impact of Maternal HIV Infection and Placental Malaria on the Transplacental Transfer of Influenza Antibodies in Mother-Infant Pairs in Malawi, 2013-2014. Open Forum Infect Dis, 6(10), ofz383. https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofz383
11.        Kalilani-Phiri, L., Thesing, P. C., Nyirenda, O. M., Mawindo, P., Madanitsa, M., Membe, G., Wylie, B., Masonbrink, A., Makwakwa, K., Kamiza, S., Muehlenbachs, A., Taylor, T. E., & Laufer, M. K. (2013). Timing of malaria infection during pregnancy has characteristic maternal, infant and placental outcomes. PLoS One, 8(9), e74643. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0074643
12.        Madanitsa, M., Barsosio, H. C., Minja, D. T. R., Mtove, G., Kavishe, R. A., Dodd, J., Saidi, Q., Onyango, E. D., Otieno, K., Wang, D., Ashorn, U., Hill, J., Mukerebe, C., Gesase, S., Msemo, O. A., Mwapasa, V., Phiri, K. S., Maleta, K., Klein, N., . . . Ter Kuile, F. O. (2023). Effect of monthly intermittent preventive treatment with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine with and without azithromycin versus monthly sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine on adverse pregnancy outcomes in Africa: a double-blind randomised, partly placebo-controlled trial. Lancet, 401(10381), 1020-1036. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(22)02535-1
13.        Madanitsa, M., Chisi, J., & Ngwira, B. (2009). The epidemiology of trypanosomiasis in Rumphi district, Malawi: a ten year retrospective study. Malawi Med J, 21(1), 22-27. https://doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v21i1.10985
14.        Madanitsa, M., Kalilani, L., Mwapasa, V., van Eijk, A. M., Khairallah, C., Ali, D., Pace, C., Smedley, J., Thwai, K. L., Levitt, B., Wang, D., Kang'ombe, A., Faragher, B., Taylor, S. M., Meshnick, S., & Ter Kuile, F. O. (2016). Scheduled Intermittent Screening with Rapid Diagnostic Tests and Treatment with Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine versus Intermittent Preventive Therapy with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine for Malaria in Pregnancy in Malawi: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial. PLoS Med, 13(9), e1002124. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002124
15.        McDonald, C. R., Cahill, L. S., Gamble, J. L., Elphinstone, R., Gazdzinski, L. M., Zhong, K. J. Y., Philson, A. C., Madanitsa, M., Kalilani-Phiri, L., Mwapasa, V., Ter Kuile, F. O., Sled, J. G., Conroy, A. L., & Kain, K. C. (2018). Malaria in pregnancy alters l-arginine bioavailability and placental vascular development. Sci Transl Med, 10(431). https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.aan6007
16.        Mtove, G., Abdul, O., Kullberg, F., Gesase, S., Scheike, T., Andersen, F. M., Madanitsa, M., Ter Kuile, F. O., Alifrangis, M., Lusingu, J. P. A., Minja, D. T. R., & Schmiegelow, C. (2022). Weight change during the first week of life and a new method for retrospective prediction of birthweight among exclusively breastfed newborns. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 101(3), 293-302. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14323
17.        Mtove, G., Chico, R. M., Madanitsa, M., Barsosio, H. C., Msemo, O. A., Saidi, Q., Gore-Langton, G. R., Minja, D. T. R., Mukerebe, C., Gesase, S., Mwapasa, V., Phiri, K. S., Hansson, H., Dodd, J., Magnussen, P., Kavishe, R. A., Mosha, F., Kariuki, S., Lusingu, J. P. A., . . . Schmiegelow, C. (2023). Fetal growth and birth weight are independently reduced by malaria infection and curable sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections in Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi: A pregnancy cohort study. Int J Infect Dis, 135, 28-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2023.07.012
18.        Mtove, G., Minja, D. T. R., Abdul, O., Gesase, S., Maleta, K., Divala, T. H., Patson, N., Ashorn, U., Laufer, M. K., Madanitsa, M., Ashorn, P., Mathanga, D., Chinkhumba, J., Gutman, J. R., Ter Kuile, F. O., Møller, S. L., Bygbjerg, I. C., Alifrangis, M., Theander, T., . . . Schmiegelow, C. (2022). The choice of reference chart affects the strength of the association between malaria in pregnancy and small for gestational age: an individual participant data meta-analysis comparing the Intergrowth-21 with a Tanzanian birthweight chart. Malar J, 21(1), 292. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-022-04307-2
19.        Patel, J. C., Hathaway, N. J., Parobek, C. M., Thwai, K. L., Madanitsa, M., Khairallah, C., Kalilani-Phiri, L., Mwapasa, V., Massougbodji, A., Fievet, N., Bailey, J. A., Ter Kuile, F. O., Deloron, P., Engel, S. M., Taylor, S. M., Juliano, J. J., Tuikue Ndam, N., & Meshnick, S. R. (2017). Increased risk of low birth weight in women with placental malaria associated with P. falciparum VAR2CSA clade. Sci Rep, 7(1), 7768. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-04737-y
20.        Pekyi, D., Ampromfi, A. A., Tinto, H., Traoré-Coulibaly, M., Tahita, M. C., Valéa, I., Mwapasa, V., Kalilani-Phiri, L., Kalanda, G., Madanitsa, M., Ravinetto, R., Mutabingwa, T., Gbekor, P., Tagbor, H., Antwi, G., Menten, J., De Crop, M., Claeys, Y., Schurmans, C., . . . Mulenga, J. (2016a). Four Artemisinin-Based Treatments in African Pregnant Women with Malaria. N Engl J Med, 374(10), 913-927. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1508606
21.        Pekyi, D., Ampromfi, A. A., Tinto, H., Traoré-Coulibaly, M., Tahita, M. C., Valéa, I., Mwapasa, V., Kalilani-Phiri, L., Kalanda, G., Madanitsa, M., Ravinetto, R., Mutabingwa, T., Gbekor, P., Tagbor, H., Antwi, G., Menten, J., De Crop, M., Claeys, Y., Schurmans, C., . . . Mulenga, J. (2016b). Four artemisinin-based treatments in African pregnant women with malaria. Malawi Med J, 28(3), 139-149.
22.        Taylor, S. M., Antonia, A. L., Harrington, W. E., Goheen, M. M., Mwapasa, V., Chaluluka, E., Fried, M., Kabyemela, E., Madanitsa, M., Khairallah, C., Kalilani-Phiri, L., Tshefu, A. K., Rogerson, S. J., Ter Kuile, F. O., Duffy, P. E., & Meshnick, S. R. (2014). Independent lineages of highly sulfadoxine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum haplotypes, eastern Africa. Emerg Infect Dis, 20(7), 1140-1148. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2007.131720
23.        Taylor, S. M., Levitt, B., Freedman, B., Madanitsa, M., Thwai, K. L., Kalilani-Phiri, L., Khairallah, C., Mwapasa, V., Ter Kuile, F. O., & Meshnick, S. R. (2020). Interactions Between Antenatal Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine, Drug-Resistant Plasmodium falciparum Parasites, and Delivery Outcomes in Malawi. J Infect Dis, 222(4), 661-669. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaa145
24.        Taylor, S. M., Madanitsa, M., Thwai, K. L., Khairallah, C., Kalilani-Phiri, L., van Eijk, A. M., Mwapasa, V., Ter Kuile, F. O., & Meshnick, S. R. (2017). Minimal Impact by Antenatal Subpatent Plasmodium falciparum Infections on Delivery Outcomes in Malawian Women: A Cohort Study. J Infect Dis, 216(3), 296-304. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jix304
25.        Teo, A., Randall, L. M., Madanitsa, M., Mwapasa, V., Phiri, L. K., Khairallah, C., Buffet, C., Karahalios, A., Narum, D. L., Kuile, F. O. T., & Rogerson, S. J. (2019). Intermittent screening and treatment with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine and intermittent preventive therapy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine have similar effects on malaria antibody in pregnant Malawian women. Sci Rep, 9(1), 7878. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44340-x
26.        Tran, V., Weckman, A. M., Crowley, V. M., Cahill, L. S., Zhong, K., Cabrera, A., Elphinstone, R. E., Pearce, V., Madanitsa, M., Kalilani-Phiri, L., Mwapasa, V., Khairallah, C., Conroy, A. L., Ter Kuile, F. O., Sled, J. G., & Kain, K. C. (2021). The Angiopoietin-Tie2 axis contributes to placental vascular disruption and adverse birth outcomes in malaria in pregnancy. EBioMedicine, 73, 103683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103683
27.        Unger, H., Thriemer, K., Ley, B., Tinto, H., Traoré, M., Valea, I., Tagbor, H., Antwi, G., Gbekor, P., Nambozi, M., Kabuya, J. B., Mulenga, M., Mwapasa, V., Chapotera, G., Madanitsa, M., Rulisa, S., de Crop, M., Claeys, Y., Ravinetto, R., & D'Alessandro, U. (2019). The assessment of gestational age: a comparison of different methods from a malaria pregnancy cohort in sub-Saharan Africa. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 19(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-018-2128-z
28.        Unger, H. W., Cates, J. E., Gutman, J., Briand, V., Fievet, N., Valea, I., Tinto, H., d'Alessandro, U., Landis, S. H., Adu-Afarwuah, S., Dewey, K. G., Ter Kuile, F., Dellicour, S., Ouma, P., Slutsker, L., Terlouw, D. J., Kariuki, S., Ayisi, J., Nahlen, B., . . . Rogerson, S. (2016). Maternal Malaria and Malnutrition (M3) initiative, a pooled birth cohort of 13 pregnancy studies in Africa and the Western Pacific. BMJ Open, 6(12), e012697. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012697
29.        Unger, H. W., Hadiprodjo, A. J., Gutman, J. R., Briand, V., Fievet, N., Valea, I., Tinto, H., D'Alessandro, U., Landis, S. H., Ter Kuile, F., Ouma, P., Oneko, M., Mwapasa, V., Slutsker, L., Terlouw, D. J., Kariuki, S., Ayisi, J., Nahlen, B., Desai, M., . . . Rogerson, S. J. (2023). Fetal sex and risk of pregnancy-associated malaria in Plasmodium falciparum-endemic regions: a meta-analysis. Sci Rep, 13(1), 10310. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37431-3
30.        van Eijk, A. M., Stepniewska, K., Hill, J., Taylor, S. M., Rogerson, S. J., Cottrell, G., Chico, R. M., Gutman, J. R., Tinto, H., Unger, H. W., Yanow, S. K., Meshnick, S. R., Ter Kuile, F. O., & Mayor, A. (2023). Prevalence of and risk factors for microscopic and submicroscopic malaria infections in pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health, 11(7), e1061-e1074. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00194-8
31.        Walker, P. G. T., Cairns, M., Slater, H., Gutman, J., Kayentao, K., Williams, J. E., Coulibaly, S. O., Khairallah, C., Taylor, S., Meshnick, S. R., Hill, J., Mwapasa, V., Kalilani-Phiri, L., Bojang, K., Kariuki, S., Tagbor, H., Griffin, J. T., Madanitsa, M., Ghani, A. C. H., . . . Ter Kuile, F. O. (2020). Modelling the incremental benefit of introducing malaria screening strategies to antenatal care in Africa. Nat Commun, 11(1), 3799. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17528-3
32.        Weckman, A. M., Conroy, A. L., Madanitsa, M., Gnaneswaran, B., McDonald, C. R., Kalilani-Phiri, L., Chandna, J., Ali, D., Mwapasa, V., Khairallah, C., Thwai, K. L., Meshnick, S. R., Taylor, S. M., Ter Kuile, F. O., Kain, K. C., & Gladstone, M. (2021). Neurocognitive outcomes in Malawian children exposed to malaria during pregnancy: An observational birth cohort study. PLoS Med, 18(9), e1003701. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003701
33.        Weckman, A. M., Elphinstone, R. E., Ssenkusu, J. M., Tran, V., Zhong, K., Madanitsa, M., Khairallah, C., Kalilani-Phiri, L., Mwapasa, V., Conroy, A. L., Ter Kuile, F. O., McDonald, C. R., & Kain, K. C. (2023). Sequential disruptions to inflammatory and angiogenic pathways and risk of spontaneous preterm birth in Malawian women. iScience, 26(6), 106912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.106912
34.        Wright, J. K., Weckman, A. M., Ngai, M., Stefanova, V., Zhong, K., McDonald, C. R., Elphinstone, R. E., Conroy, A. L., Coburn, B. A., Madanitsa, M., Taylor, S. M., Ter Kuile, F. O., & Kain, K. C. (2023). Intestinal barrier disruption with Plasmodium falciparum infection in pregnancy and risk of preterm birth: a cohort study. EBioMedicine, 97, 104808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104808
35.        Wylie, B. J., Kalilani-Phiri, L., Madanitsa, M., Membe, G., Nyirenda, O., Mawindo, P., Kuyenda, R., Malenga, A., Masonbrink, A., Makanani, B., Thesing, P., & Laufer, M. K. (2013). Gestational age assessment in malaria pregnancy cohorts: a prospective ultrasound demonstration project in Malawi. Malar J, 12, 183. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-12-183