Maths and IT play an essential role in most public health campaigns, and offer the chance for mathematicians to use their skills for social good. 

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Crispin Sapele is Director of Systems and Operations at CHAMP, a not for profit organisation which was set up to respond to the growing need for corporate HIV/AIDS programmes within Zambia. In December 2003 CHAMP set up a dedicated HIV hotline that offers a 24/7, 365 day counseling and information service. At CHAMP, Sapele’s role has been in planning, analyzing and evaluating the impact of such programmes, using his statistical background. Naturejobs spoke to Sapele about why maths is such a vital part of global health campaigns.

How did you get into global health?

I started off studying mathematics at the University of Zambia almost 20 years ago. I actually originally wanted to do engineering but after the first year I met one of the first mathematics professors here in Zambia and got inspired by him to do maths, so I made the switch.  After my degree, which lasted four years, I immediately got a job at the national statistics office (CSO). And with that I got my first taste of managing and running statistical health programmes, such as surveys and censuses.

How did you end up at CHAMP working on HIV prevention programmes? Continue reading →