Michael Mbizvo

Dr Michael Takura Mbizvo is a national of Zimbabwe. He holds a D.Phil. in Reproductive Science and a M. Phil. in Medical Sciences from the University of Zimbabwe and a M.Sc. in Reproductive Sciences from Monash University, Australia. His special fields of interest include andrology, male reproductive health, epidemiology and behaviour, gender dynamics and sexual and reproductive health. He has published widely in various areas of sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS, including two books. From 1976 to 1997 he held various posts at the University of Zimbabwe Medical School including: Research Professor in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department; Senior Lecturer/Research Director in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department; Senior Chief Medical Technologist; and Chief Medical Technologist. Since 1997 he has been a staff member of the World Health Organization, initially as Manager for the Male Reproductive Health Area in the Special Programme of Research Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) and, since 2002, as Coordinator and Senior Scientist in the Director's Office, Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR). He has been responsible for, among other things, areas related to programme development in reproductive health, including oversight on collaboration with regions, countries and partners, and research capacity strengthening in developing countries to improve sexual and reproductive health. He has provided leadership on the development of strategies to enhance the application of results of reproductive health research in policy and programmes and improving the quality of sexual and reproductive health care through adaptation and adoption of normative guidance tools. Dr Mbizvo has to his credit, several scientific publications in the various areas of sexual and reproductive health including HIV/AIDS. At the end of February 2009, Dr Mbizvo was also appointed as Director, RHR ad interim.