Professor Zumla is an honours graduate of the University of Zambia and the University of London. He is dually qualified in medicine (MBChB) and science (PhD) and is accredited as a specialist  in internal medicine, infectious diseases and clinical immunology. He was born in Fort Jameson, Zambia (British colonial Northern Rhodesia). As an undergraduate he turned down the prestigious ‘Rhodes Scholarship’ to study medicine at Oxford University, UK, because of his firm belief that 'one does not need a Rolls Royce to make a journey –it’s the driver that’s important’. His philosophy that training in medicine at the local University in Lusaka, Zambia, would endow a firm foundation for understanding the multi-factorial aetiologies underlying killer diseases afflicting the world’s poor, led him to achieve a ‘star studded’ career. As a BEIT Scholar he completed an MSc in Clinical Tropical Medicine at the University of London, (which was awarded a distinction and the Mugratroyd prize) and obtained his PhD from the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, (for which he was awarded the Alan Woodruff Medal). After working for 4 years as senior registrar at the Hammersmith Hospital, Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London he spent two years as associate professor at the University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston, Texas, USA before joining UCL in 1994. Professor Zumla plays an pivotal role in enhancing global research collaborations and in networking, capacity development, and training in several African and European countries. His R&D spans several institutions in Europe linking them with 10 in sub-Saharan Africa on multi-country translational research, clinical trials, and basic science research on tuberculosis, TB/HIV/AIDS and respiratory illnesses affecting adults and children. His team’s research findings and expertise have contributed to the development of the World Health Organization’s policy guidelines on aspects of tuberculosis and HIV co-infections. Professor Zumla has 406 publications including 18 medical textbooks, three of which are globally acknowledged classics: ‘‘Manson’s Tropical Diseases’’(co-ed. GC Cook),‘‘Tuberculosis: A Comprehensive Clinical Reference’’ (co-ed. S.Schaaf) and ‘‘Granulomatous Disorders’’(co-ed. DGJames). He was the ‘lead guru’ of the high profile ‘Lancet TB Theme Series’ of 7 articles and 6 commentaries launched in Geneva in 2010, and is chief editor of the 2012 Journal of Infectious Diseases supplement volume on ‘Tuberculosis and TB/HIV/AIDS-controversies and unanswered questions’’ which has 21 articles written by 164 authors to commemorate World TB Day 2012. Recent International prizes awarded to him in 2011/12 include the University of Amsterdam Spinoza Leerstoel Award; the World Health Organisation STOP TB Partnership Kochon Prize and Medal; the UK India Intl Fdn Science Award and The Karolinska Institutet Annual Science Prize.They recognise Professor Zumla’s outstanding achievements and significant contribution to combating TB, and excellence in infectious diseases research and capacity development activities.On 24th of October 2012, on Zambia’s 48th Anniversary of Independence, the President of Zambia H.E. Michael Sata awarded Professor Zumla with the highest Zambian government civilian award -the Order of Distinguished Service First Division to be Grand Commander of the Order of Distinguished Service.