Dr Thierry Kalonji briefing community health workers on community-based surveillance of Ebola in Rwampara Health Zone in Ituri province, Democratic Republic of the Congo on 31 May 2026. Photo courtesy of Dr Kalonji.
During the current Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, in-country public health experts trained through TDR are playing critical leadership roles in clinical trials and response efforts. TDR has also supported long-term efforts to strengthen the data and research foundations needed for more effective preparedness and response to Ebola and other disease outbreaks.
While many TDR-supported scientists and public health leaders are involved in the current outbreak, here, we spotlight two individuals in DRC:
- Dr Thierry Kalonji is working with the WHO Country Office in DRC as Field Coordinator of Ebola response activities in Rwampara Health Zone in Ituri province, the current epicentre of the outbreak.
- Dr Jepsy Yango, Head of the Clinical Research and Operations Unit at the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB), is coordinating two major clinical trials aimed at improving both treatment and prevention of Ebola virus disease.
“This is my third Ebola outbreak”
Dr Thierry Kalonji is no stranger to Ebola. Since completing his Master of Public Health studies at University of Ghana through a TDR postgraduate training scholarship in 2017, he has been involved in three Ebola outbreaks. In his current role, he is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all response activities in Rwampara Health Zone in Ituri province.
Thierry is finding that maintaining community trust and acceptance is a major challenge in the face of misinformation, fear and resistance to safe burials after death. Fortunately, the first Ebola victim to recover from the Bundibugyo virus was in Rwampara, a success story that is helping with efforts to sensitize and engage with the community.
Thierry notes the importance of his postgraduate training on implementation research, outbreak preparedness and data analysis that have boosted his abilities in evidence-based decision-making.
“Beyond technical knowledge, the training emphasized practical problem solving and translating research into public health action,” he said.
Coordinating Ebola clinical trials
Dr Jepsy Yango during last year’s Ebola outbreak in Bulape, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Photo courtesy of Dr Yango.
A recent graduate of TDR’s Clinical Research Leadership (CRL) fellowship programme and an experienced clinical researcher in Ebola outbreak response, Dr Jepsy Yango arrived earlier this week in Ituri province. He is coordinating the WHO-sponsored PARTNERS therapeutic trial, which will evaluate treatment options (MBP134 and remdesivir) to improve patient outcomes and reduce mortality, and a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) trial designed to prevent infection among high-risk contacts and frontline health workers.
There are currently no licensed therapeutics or vaccines specifically approved for the prevention and treatment of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus (BVD). Through INRB, DRC’s leading biomedical research institution, Jepsy works closely with the Ministry of Health, national and international partners to rapidly activate research during outbreaks.
Dr Jepsy Yango (left) in front of a health clinic in Bulape, DRC.
Photo courtesy of Dr Yango.
His responsibilities span site assessments, operational planning, regulatory follow-up and coordination with national health authorities and international partners. He is also preparing for the rapid deployment of research teams in outbreak-affected areas.
Protocols for both trials were developed before the outbreak, enabling teams to move quickly to start the studies. The trials are designed not only for the current outbreak but also to strengthen readiness for future Ebola outbreaks.
“Ebola outbreaks will continue to occur. Generating scientific evidence now is critical for improving preparedness and response capacity,” Jepsy said.
Community engagement is also a priority. The team is working closely with affected communities to explain the purpose and benefits of the trials, helping to build trust and support informed participation.
From training to frontline response
Jepsy says the training he received through TDR’s CRL fellowship at Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute was critical in strengthening his skills in clinical trial operation and leading the coordination of trials conducted by a multidisciplinary team. His current team includes doctors, nurses, data specialists, IT experts, veterinarians and social scientists—reflecting the complexity of outbreak response and the need for coordinated, cross-sector action. The CRL fellowship programme receives designated funding support from the Gates Foundation.
In-country leadership makes the difference
Leaders like Thierry and Jepsy who are based in DRC are uniquely positioned to understand the local health system, cultural contexts and operational realities. Their presence enables faster and more context-appropriate responses, facilitates community engagement, and helps build trust with affected communities.
“Local leadership is really important,” Jepsy says, noting its role in strengthening long-term national research capacity and preparedness.
A network strengthening regional response
Thierry and Jepsy are part of a broader network of TDR-trained professionals contributing to Ebola preparedness and response in DRC and neighboring countries.
Dr Rolande Nsimire-Hadisi of the Centre for Multisectoral Research in Health at Université Officielle de Bukavu in eastern DRC is actively contributing to community preparedness and public awareness efforts in the context of the Ebola outbreak.
Dr Michel Bashimbe of the Center for Tropical Diseases and Global Health in Bukavu, is contributing to Ebola prevention activities through community mobilization using social media and local media channels, as well as supporting diagnostic activities in South Kivu province.
In Central African Republic, which shares a river border with DRC, Dr Fred Armand Kirinendji of the Public Health Emergency Operations Center of the Ministry of Health and Population is serving as Deputy Incident Manager and Deputy Operations Officer, working on the preparation, prevention and coordination of a potential early response to Ebola virus disease.
Together, these efforts highlight how TDR’s investments in training and capacity strengthening are building a workforce ready to respond to emerging health threats.
Long-term support for outbreak preparedness and response
Since 2014, TDR has also supported long-term efforts to strengthen the data and research foundations needed for more effective outbreak preparedness and response. In partnership with the Infectious Diseases Data Observatory at the University of Oxford, TDR has improved emergency preparedness and strengthened health systems across DRC, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. This work built on TDR’s earlier support for Ebola data standardization and sharing, helping to ensure that data collected during outbreaks can be better curated, analysed and used to inform future action.
Investing before the crisis hits
As Ebola and other infectious disease outbreaks continue to threaten vulnerable populations, it is clear that building capacity before a crisis is not only strategic—it is indispensable.
“Preparation cannot start during an outbreak,” Jepsy emphasizes. “Countries with trained researchers and operational systems in place are better equipped to respond quickly to protect communities.”
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For more information on the Clinical Research Leadership (CRL) fellowship programme and postgraduate training programme, please contact tdr@who.int.