Dr. Mohamed Zahir Alimohamed

Dr. Mohamed Zahir Alimohamed, BSc, MSc, PhD, is a Molecular Geneticist, Biomedical Scientist, and Genetic Counseling Practitioner dedicated to advancing genomic medicine in Africa. He earned his BSc in Biotechnology (Manipal University, India), MSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (University of Groningen, Netherlands), and PhD in Medical Genetics (University Medical Center Groningen), Pg Dip in Genetic counseling (Indian Institute of Medical Genetics).

His research spans next-generation sequencing for genetic disease diagnosis (Onco-, Cardio- and Neuro-), CRISPR-based therapies for Sickle Cell Disease, pharmacogenomics, antimicrobial resistance, and rare disease diagnostics. He is a Lecturer and Research Scientist at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Research Fellow with the Sickle Cell Programme, and co-founder/Secretary General of the Tanzania Human Genetics Organization.

Professional Experience

• Lecturer and Research Scientist, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
• Research Fellow, Sickle Cell Programme
• Co-founder/Secretary General, Tanzania Human Genetics Organization
• Co-founder, African Genetic Counseling Association
• Chair, Young Investigators Forum of AfSHG
• Lead, Training for the Global Genomic Medicine Collaborative

Key Achievements

• Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow (2025)
• Past Glocal Postdoctoral Fellow (UCSF–MUHAS)
• Champion for equitable, ethical integration of genomics into African health systems
• Extensive research in next-generation sequencing for genetic disease diagnosis
• Work on CRISPR-based therapies for Sickle Cell Disease

Research Interests

• Next-generation sequencing for genetic disease diagnosis (Onco-, Cardio- and Neuro-)
• CRISPR-based therapies for Sickle Cell Disease
• Pharmacogenomics
• Antimicrobial resistance
• Rare disease diagnostics
• Genomic medicine in African health systems

Conference Presentation