Prof. Eliningaya Kweka | Entomology | Best Researcher Award
Research Professor at Catholic university of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania.
Prof. Eliningaya Kweka is a distinguished researcher and academic with extensive expertise in medical entomology, vector ecology, and chemical ecology. He currently serves as a Research Professor at the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences in Mwanza, Tanzania, and holds key leadership positions at the Tropical Pesticides Research Institute (TPRI). Prof. Kweka earned his Master’s in Business Administration with a focus on Leadership and Governance from the Institute of Accountancy Arusha, Tanzania, graduating with First Class honors. He has also completed postdoctoral training in Plant Pests and Chemical Ecology at the Swedish University of Agriculture and the National Institute for Medical Research in Tanzania. With a career spanning over two decades, Prof. Kweka has made significant contributions to research, policy development, and the management of vector-borne diseases. He is an active member of several professional societies, including the Pan African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA) and the International Association for Ecology and Health. His work has earned him recognition both locally and internationally, making him a leading figure in his field.
Education
Prof. Eliningaya Kweka has a diverse and robust educational background that underpins his expertise in leadership, governance, and scientific research. He earned a Master’s in Business Administration with a focus on Leadership and Governance from the Institute of Accountancy Arusha, Tanzania, in 2021/2022, graduating with First Class honors. His commitment to continuous professional development is evident from his completion of several certificates, including Strategic Management Tools and Framework (2020), Human Research Protection (2019) through a course organized by Pennsylvania State University, and Middle Managers Leadership Development (2017). Additionally, Prof. Kweka has undergone specialized postdoctoral training in Plant Pests and Chemical Ecology at the Swedish University of Agriculture and the National Institute for Medical Research, Tanzania, supported by a grant from COSTECH, WOTRO, and SIDA. This extensive educational foundation has equipped him with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in his research and leadership roles.
Prof. Eliningaya Kweka has a distinguished professional background, marked by extensive experience in research, leadership, and policy-making in medical entomology and pest management. He currently serves as a Research Professor at the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania, a role he has held since November 2021. In addition, he is the Principal Research Officer I at the Tropical Pesticides Research Institute (TPRI), where he has taken on numerous leadership roles, including Chairperson of the TPRI Proposal Review Committee, Head of the Research Department, and Chairperson of the TPRI Strategic Plan Committee. His expertise is further recognized through his roles as Chairperson of the Resource Mobilization Committee at the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority, and as a member of the Technical Committee for the Zanzibar Malaria Elimination Programme. Throughout his career, Prof. Kweka has also served as Associate Research Professor and Senior Lecturer at the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, and as Acting Director of Research at TPRI. His contributions extend beyond academia, with significant involvement in organizing national and international conferences on pest management, developing strategic and research plans, and leading committees dedicated to advancing scientific research and public health in Tanzania. His professional journey reflects a deep commitment to enhancing public health and agricultural practices through rigorous research and strategic leadership.
Prof. Eliningaya Kweka’s research interests are centered around medical entomology, vector ecology, and chemical ecology, with a particular focus on controlling vector-borne diseases such as malaria. His work explores innovative approaches to pest management, including the use of plant-based chemical ecology to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. Prof. Kweka is deeply interested in the efficacy and safety of pesticides, as well as the ecological impacts of pest control strategies. His research aims to advance understanding in these areas, contributing to improved public health outcomes, particularly in regions heavily impacted by diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and other vectors. Prof. Kweka’s interdisciplinary approach bridges the gap between entomology, ecology, and public health, positioning him at the forefront of efforts to develop effective and sustainable vector control methods.
Prof. Eliningaya Kweka possesses a robust skill set in medical entomology and vector ecology, specializing in the development and implementation of effective pest management strategies. His expertise includes conducting field studies and laboratory experiments to assess the bioefficacy of pesticides and plant-based solutions. Prof. Kweka is proficient in statistical analysis and data interpretation, allowing him to evaluate complex ecological data. He excels in interdisciplinary collaboration, working with various stakeholders to promote integrated pest management approaches. Through his research, he aims to enhance vector control strategies and improve public health outcomes in affected communities.
Prof. Eliningaya Kweka has received several awards and recognitions throughout his career, underscoring his significant contributions to research and academia. Notably, he was honored with an appreciation letter from Addis Ababa University for serving as an external examiner for PhD candidates in June 2018, reflecting his expertise and commitment to advancing academic standards. Additionally, he secured a prestigious NIH grant (D43TW001505) to pursue his PhD studies at Tumaini University in Tanzania, which facilitated his fieldwork in the western highlands of Kenya and coursework at the University of California, Irvine, from February 2009 to February 2012. Prof. Kweka’s accolades not only highlight his academic achievements but also his dedication to enhancing public health and pest management through rigorous research and mentorship.
Given Prof. Kweka’s outstanding academic background, leadership in research, active participation in professional communities, and recognized achievements, he is indeed a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work not only advances scientific understanding but also has tangible benefits for society, particularly in the areas of public health and environmental sustainability.
Publication Top Notes
- Knowledge, attitudes, and practices about malaria and its control in rural northwest Tanzania
- Cited By: 228
- Year: 2010
- Journal: Malaria Research and Treatment, 2010(1), 794261
- Feeding and resting behaviour of malaria vector, Anopheles arabiensis with reference to zooprophylaxis
- Cited By: 215
- Year: 2007
- Journal: Malaria Journal, 6, 1-6
- Ethnobotanical study of some mosquito repellent plants in north-eastern Tanzania
- Cited By: 155
- Year: 2008
- Journal: Malaria Journal, 7, 1-9
- Recent outbreaks of Rift Valley fever in East Africa and the Middle East
- Cited By: 130
- Year: 2014
- Journal: Frontiers in Public Health, 2, 169
- Co-infections with Plasmodium falciparum, Schistosoma mansoni and intestinal helminths among schoolchildren in endemic areas of northwestern Tanzania
- Cited By: 120
- Year: 2010
- Journal: Parasites & Vectors, 3, 1-7
- Anopheline larval habitats seasonality and species distribution: a prerequisite for effective targeted larval habitats control programmes
- Cited By: 116
- Year: 2012
- Journal: PloS ONE, 7(12), e52084
- Predation efficiency of Anopheles gambiae larvae by aquatic predators in western Kenya highlands
- Cited By: 115
- Year: 2011
- Journal: Parasites & Vectors, 4, 1-7
- Bacterial larvicides used for malaria vector control in sub-Saharan Africa: review of their effectiveness and operational feasibility
- Cited By: 113
- Year: 2019
- Journal: Parasites & Vectors, 12, 1-18
- Occurrence of the leucine-to-phenylalanine knockdown resistance (kdr) mutation in Anopheles arabiensis populations in Tanzania, detected by a simplified high-throughput method
- Cited By: 112
- Year: 2006
- Journal: Malaria Journal, 5, 1-7
- Malaria in East African highlands during the past 30 years: impact of environmental changes
- Cited By: 106
- Year: 2012
- Journal: Frontiers in Physiology, 3, 315
- Effect of deforestation and land use changes on mosquito productivity and development in Western Kenya Highlands: implication for malaria risk
- Cited By: 100
- Year: 2016
- Journal: Frontiers in Public Health, 4, 238
- Insecticidal activity of the essential oil from fruits and seeds of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi against African malaria vectors
- Cited By: 97
- Year: 2011
- Journal: Parasites & Vectors, 4, 1-10
- The current malaria morbidity and mortality in different transmission settings in Western Kenya
- Cited By: 76
- Year: 2018
- Journal: PloS ONE, 13(8), e0202031
- Impact of climate change on human health and health systems in Tanzania: a review
- Cited By: 75
- Year: 2011
- Journal: Tanzania Journal of Health Research, 13(5)
- Longitudinal evaluation of Ocimum and other plants effects on the feeding behavioral response of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the field in Tanzania
- Cited By: 72
- Year: 2008
- Journal: Parasites & Vectors, 1, 1-8