Mr KAPALAMULA Thoko
About Mr KAPALAMULA Thoko
Dr. Thoko Flav Kapalamula is a veterinarian, researcher, and academician with extensive experience in molecular diagnostics, infectious disease surveillance, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and zoonotic diseases. He is currently a Lecturer in Veterinary Physiology, Infectious Diseases, and Microbiology at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), where he also serves as Head of Department and Acting Deputy Dean within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. His academic responsibilities include teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students, supervising research projects across BVM, MSc, MPhil, and PhD programs, and providing strategic leadership in curriculum development and quality assurance. Dr. Kapalamula’s research integrates human, animal, and environmental health challenges through a One Health lens. He has made significant contributions to the field of zoonotic tuberculosis, particularly through his work on Mycobacterium bovis. His research provided the first molecular epidemiological data on M. bovis in cattle in Malawi, and developed a rapid, field-deployable loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for its detection—an innovation that enhances early diagnosis of bovine TB in low-resource settings. His postdoctoral training at Hokkaido University in Japan further strengthened his skills in genomic characterization, MIRU-VNTR typing, and sequencing, which continue to underpin his work in pathogen detection and molecular epidemiology. From 2023 to 2024, Dr. Kapalamula served as the Local Principal Investigator for the IVAR study under the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme. In this role, he led the implementation of a national study evaluating the impact of pneumococcal and malaria vaccination on antibiotic use, febrile illness, and AMR in young children. His leadership helped generate critical evidence to inform national policy on antibiotic stewardship and vaccination strategies. He also contributed to national AMR policy development through his consultancy with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), where he supported multisectoral coordination mapping and the formulation of AMR strategies within Malawi’s veterinary sector. His current research interests include understanding the impact of antibiotic use in humans and animals on the emergence and spread of AMR, the molecular characterization of resistant pathogens in food-producing animals, and the development of alternatives to antibiotics—such as probiotics in poultry. He is also building a growing research portfolio in aquatic animal health, focusing on emerging bacterial infections in tilapia and shrimp. His work continues to be driven by interdisciplinary approaches that address the complex and interconnected health challenges faced in resource-limited settings.
Research Interest for: Mr KAPALAMULA Thoko
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and stewardship
(1) AMR in animals and humans: We are investigating the prevalence, molecular characteristics, and transmission dynamics of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in human and animal populations, particularly in food-producing animals by isolating, identifying, and characterizing resistant organisms using molecular techniques, with comparative analysis across sectors to inform AMR control strategies. (2) Impact of antibiotic use on AMR: We would like to assess how antibiotic use and misuse in both clinical and veterinary settings contribute to the emergence and spread of AMR. Our plan is to collect data on antibiotic usage from health facilities, veterinary outlets, and communities, and analyze this alongside AMR patterns to identify high-risk practices and inform antibiotic stewardship efforts. (3) One Health surveillance and policy engagement: We aim to strengthen integrated AMR and zoonotic disease surveillance systems through a One Health approach, engaging key sectors in policy development and coordination. We will map relevant stakeholders, integrate surveillance data, conduct training workshops, and support the implementation of multisectoral coordination platforms at national and local levels.
Zoonotic diseases and diagnostics
(1) Zoonotic diseases surveillance and epidemiology: We are investigating the occurrence, transmission dynamics, and molecular epidemiology of a wide range of zoonotic diseases affecting both humans and animals. Our approach is to conduct cross-sectional and longitudinal studies to detect and characterize zoonotic pathogens, such as Escherichia spp., Brucella spp., Salmonella spp., and others, using molecular tools and epidemiological analysis. This will help us understand their distribution, risk factors, and public health impact. (2) Development of diagnostic tools for zoonotic diseases: We are developing and validating rapid, field-friendly molecular diagnostic assays for the detection of zoonotic pathogens in both animal and human health settings. These diagnostics will be tailored for use in low-resource, high-risk environments to improve early detection and response.
Sustainable animal production and aquatic health
(1) Alternatives to antibiotics in livestock: We are studying locally adapted, non-antibiotic solutions to enhance animal health and reduce reliance on antimicrobials in poultry production. We aim to isolate and formulate probiotic consortia, then conduct controlled poultry trials to assess effects on growth, immunity, and gut microbiota. (2) Aquatic animal health: We would like to investigate emerging bacterial and infectious diseases in aquaculture species to support disease prevention and sustainable aquatic food systems. We are carrying out field sampling and pathogen diagnostics in aquaculture systems, evaluate antibiotic susceptibility, and provide management recommendations to improve biosecurity.