Assistant Professor, Global Health, University of Washington
Dr. Ferdinand Mukumbang, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Global Health. He is a Public Health scientist specializing in health policy and systems research with a specific focus on implementation sciences. His research career has evolved around understanding the dynamics and complexities of retention in care and adherence to antiretroviral medication among people living with HIV with a particular focus on adolescents living with HIV. As such, his current research focus is on developing and implementing antiretroviral treatment protocols for transitioning adolescents living with HIV from pediatric/adolescent HIV care to adult HIV care.
Dr. Mukumbang is also interested in the development and implementation of strategies to decolonize global health. His work in this area relates to addressing issues of health inequities in global health. For instance, addressing issues of poor integration and consideration of refugees and migrants during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic – prevention (information and vaccination, treatment, and care).
Regarding methodological advancements in implementation sciences, he is particularly interested in the development and adoption of realist-informed research methods – critical realist theorizing, realist evaluation, and realist synthesis and reviews – for evidence-based theorizing in health care and global health to unpack implementation outcomes. He has published several methodological papers in this regard.
Publications
- Mukumbang, FC, Gilmore, B, Hunter, R, Dada, S, Dalkin, S, Booth, A et al.. A protocol to develop a Quality Assessment Tool for Realist Synthesis (QUATRES). PLoS One. 2025;20 (9):e0332250. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0332250. PubMed PMID:40929109 PubMed Central PMC12422416.
- Moki-Suh, B, Mukumbang, FC, Krause, A, Alison, WB. Female condom use among adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocol investigating availability and consistent use factors. BMJ Open. 2025;15 (8):e099359. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-099359. PubMed PMID:40850915 PubMed Central PMC12382558.
- Mutua, MN, Harding, A, Mukumbang, FC, Pulford, J. Eliciting initial programme theories for a health research capacity strengthening initiative targeting African universities: A realist synthesis. PLoS One. 2025;20 (8):e0330360. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0330360. PubMed PMID:40833965 PubMed Central PMC12367166.
- Mutua, MN, Nakidde, C, Mukumbang, FC. Strengthening health research capacity for postgraduate trainees: An indigenous realist evaluation of the 'African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence' programme. Health Policy Plan. 2025; :. doi: 10.1093/heapol/czaf055. PubMed PMID:40831401 .
- Mugo, C, Njuguna, I, Maganga, V, Flaherty, BP, Wagner, AD, Mukumbang, FC et al.. Integration of a brief, transdiagnostic psychological intervention in the care of adolescents and young adults with HIV in Kenya: Protocol for a cluster randomized clinical trial. PLoS One. 2025;20 (6):e0325374. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0325374. PubMed PMID:40540521 PubMed Central PMC12180645.