The Iconic Prof. Damen: Medical Lab. Scientist and a Member of National Institute (mni).
By Engr. Moses Yonwul Zungdet.
Prof. Damen is an Erudite scholar and scientist, a member of the Senior Executive Course 46, 2024 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies NIPSS Kuru, making him the first Medical Laboratory Scientist to become Member of the National Institute (mni).
Professor James Garba Damen, was born on the 26th of September 1969. Hail from Chip district of Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau state.
Professor Damen started his primary education at L.G.E.D. Primary School, Pyabor from 1977 to 1982 and thereafter, proceeded to Government Secondary School, Jibam and later went to Government Science Teacher’s College, Amper where he graduated and obtained a Grade II Science Certificate in 1987. He graduated as the best student of his set hence was given automatic employment as a Primary school teacher.
Prof. Damen, was sponsored for in-service to Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Vom, Plateau State where he obtained a Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) in1995, he further went to Federal College of Veterinary and Medial Laboratory Technology, Vom, Plateau State. Prof. Damen, also attended the University of Jos where he obtained a Master of Science Degree (M.Sc) in Medical Microbiology in 2007 and a Ph.D in Medical Microbiology from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi in 2013.
Although Prof. Damen started his career as a teacher in 1988, he transited to a junior Medical Laboratory Scientist in1990, Medical Laboratory Technician in Training 1992 and Medical Laboratory Technician in 1995 and rose to the rank of a Principal Medical Laboratory Scientist in 2008.
Prof. Damen began his lecturing career with the Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos as a visiting Lecturer in Medical Microbiology and Parasitology in 2000 and later joined the services of the University of Jos as Lecturer 1 in 2009 where he rose steadily to the rank of Professor of Medical Microbiology in 2018.
In addition, Prof. Damen is a member of prestigious professional bodies and has been actively involved in the accreditation of educational programmes in Medical Laboratory Science and has supervised numerous undergraduate and post graduate students across the country.
Notable among the professional bodies he belongs to and has served in various capacities include: Chapter Secretary and later Chairman, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists. He was awarded the best performing branch chairman for the year 2015 at a National conference in Jalingo, Taraba State. He was elected National Secretary in 2017 during a National conference in Kaduna and National President in 2020 during the body’s National Conference in Ebonyi state respectively.
He is also a member of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Nigerian Venereal Disease Association (NIVEDA), Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPHSN), American Society of Cell Biology (ASCB) Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON) among others.
Prof. Damen has written, reviewed and edited a significant number of publications in local and international journals and books, presented several seminar and conference papers in and out of the shores of Nigeria aside the fact that he has served as a consultant to many organizations like the United State Agency for International Development (USAID), World Health Organization (WHO) and The Carter Centre to mention a few.
When it comes to community service, Prof. Damen is not left behind; he has rendered quality services to communities including his indigenous community. He has been President, Mhiship Youth Movement (MYM; Secretary, Health Committee, St. Moses Parish, Tudun Wada Jos; Chairman, Parish Action Committee on AIDS (PACA); Chairman, Laboratory Response committee on Covid-19 in Plateau state. Little wonder, the Paramount ruler of Mhiship Chiefdom conferred him with a traditional title: _Miskaham mankaham Mhiship_ meaning the Chief Health Consultant.
Professor Damen is married with children and his hobbies are travelling, reading and praying.
