Professor James Garba Damen, mni, PhD, MSc, FMLSCN, FWAPCMLS, FAMLSN, KSM is a distinguished Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Jos, with an accomplished career spanning academia, medical laboratory science, research, professional leadership and community service. He has served the University of Jos with distinction since joining the academic staff in 2009, rising through the ranks from Lecturer I to Senior Lecturer, Reader and Professor in 2018.
Professor Damen currently serves as the Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Jos, a position he has held since 2023. In this capacity, he provides academic and administrative leadership to the Faculty and coordinates its programmes and departments, including Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing Science, Radiography and Physiotherapy. He also serves on the University Senate, Senate Business Committee, School of Postgraduate Studies Board and College of Health Sciences Management.
An accomplished academic and scholar, Professor Damen holds a PhD in Applied Parasitology from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, an MSc in Medical Microbiology from the University of Jos, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the National Teachers Institute, Kaduna, and professional qualifications in Medical Laboratory Science. He is also an alumnus of the Senior Executive Course 46, 2024, of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, and a recipient of the prestigious Member of the National Institute (mni) distinction.
His academic and professional leadership extends beyond the University. He served as National President of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) from 2020 to 2023, having previously served as National Secretary from 2017 to 2020. He was also a Member of the Governing Board of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria from 2020 to 2022 and served as a Member of the Presidential Health Sector Reform Committee from 2022 to 2023.
Professor Damen has made significant contributions to teaching, postgraduate training and academic mentorship. His teaching experience covers Medical Microbiology, Medical Bacteriology, Medical Parasitology, Medical Entomology, Epidemiology, Laboratory Management, Medical Ethics and Research Methodology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has supervised over 300 undergraduate students and more than 30 postgraduate fellowship students in Medical Laboratory Science.
His research interests are principally centred on medical microbiology, parasitology, malaria, infectious diseases, diagnostic laboratory science and healthcare delivery. His scholarly contributions include research on malaria diagnosis, schistosomiasis, intestinal parasitic infections, antimicrobial resistance, bacterial infections, laboratory quality assurance and other public health concerns. He has published extensively in learned journals and has continued to contribute to contemporary health research, with publications extending to 2026.
Beyond teaching and research, Professor Damen has distinguished himself through extensive professional service. He has served as an external examiner and assessor for medical laboratory science programmes in several Nigerian universities and has participated in National Universities Commission accreditation activities. He has also served as a reviewer for reputable journals in medical laboratory science, biomedical and life sciences.
His professional expertise has equally been deployed in strengthening healthcare delivery in Nigeria. He has served as a consultant and technical resource person to organisations and programmes including the Federal Ministry of Health, The Carter Center Nigeria, Management Sciences for Health and other health-sector initiatives. His engagements have included malaria elimination, laboratory quality assurance, development of standard operating procedures, capacity building and training of healthcare workers across several states of Nigeria.
In recognition of his professional accomplishments and contributions to society, Professor Damen has received several honours and distinctions and is a Fellow of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria and the West African Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science. He was also conferred with the traditional title of Miskaham Mankaham Mhiship, meaning Chief Health Consultant of Mhiship Chiefdom, by the Mhiship Traditional Council in 2025.
Professor James Garba Damen is therefore a distinguished academic, medical laboratory scientist, researcher, administrator and professional leader whose career reflects a sustained commitment to excellence in scholarship, health sciences education, research, professional development and service to humanity. His contributions to the University of Jos, the medical laboratory science profession and the broader Nigerian healthcare system continue to exemplify the University's ideals of knowledge, leadership and service.