1. Introduction

Vulstan James SHEDURA is a field epidemiologist holding a master’s degree in epidemiology and laboratory management from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) and a medical laboratory scientist holding a bachelor’s degree from International Medical and Technological University (IMTU). He studied a total of three online diplomas in Leadership and Management, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and Project Management at the Kenyan WATSAN training institute. He has studied more than 100 certified short courses (physical and virtual), mainly in public health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, leadership and management, quality management systems, project management, health systems strengthening, health economy, PHEOC, business, teaching methodology for health care professionals, GLP, GCP, and scientific writing. He has participated in presentations at national and international scientific conferences, mainly at the MUHAS Scientific Conference, the Tanzania Health Summit, the International Conference of AIDS and STIs in Africa, the International Conference of the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), the World Union Conference on Lung Health, the Annual Pradanya International Conference, the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Forum, the Africa Health Agenda international conference (AHAIC), and the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) Scientific Conference. Currently, he has made several publications about influenza, HIV, cholera, syphilis, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and HBV infection via the peer-review process. He has participated in the evaluation of the National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance System in Tanzania and the analysis of influenza data. He has been working on strengthening COVID-19 surveillance in Tanzania, especially in the Dodoma and Mtwara regions. He conducted an operational survey on people’s attitudes, knowledge, and perception of the COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. He has attended various workshops in preparation and reviewed the national guidelines used in the health sector. He has been working in the laboratory department and teaching medical students for more than 6 years under USAID Boresha Afya Southern Zone, the Benjamin Mkapa Foundation, and the Ministry of Health at the Southern Zone referral hospital in the Mtwara region, respectively. He is currently the head of the Department of Clinical Research, Training, and Consultancy at the Ministry of Health in the Southern Zone Referral Hospital in the Mtwara Region, Tanzania.

Vulstan James SHEDURA is an epidemiologist, medical laboratory scientist, medical researcher, and public health specialist. He is also a Catholic traditionalist, a member of the Sant'Egidio community, and a member of Opus Dei. He was born on Thursday, 24^th October 1991, at St. Luke's Hospital, located in Bwambo-RC village in the Eastern Same district of the Kilimanjaro region in Tanzania. The residents are mainly from the Pare tribe, though other tribes have also made their settlements in the same district. Father’s name is James Shedura Mnkeni, and Mother’s name is Anjela Maua Juma. Their father was a primary school teacher and their mother a peasant. From the parents, there are seven children, three boys and four girls. He is the fifth-born child and the last boy in the family. Other children include Salome James Shedura, Gabriel James Shedura, Joseph James Shedura, Mariam James Shedura, Crisencia James Shedura, and Thecla James Shedura.

2. Personal Life

Early School life (1996-1997)

The early school life of Vulstan James SHEDURA started at kindergarten, where he began in the year 1996 when he was five years old and continued until the end of 1997.

Primary School life (1998-2004)

His primary school life started in 1998 at Kwamshitu Primary School in Same District, Kilimanjaro region, at the age of seven years old, and continued until 2004, when he completed his primary education.

Sacramental life

Vulstan James SHEDURA is a Catholic Christian baptized on Monday, 4^th April 1994, at the Maria Immaculata (Bwambo) Parish in the Kilimanjaro region by Fr. Vulstan Marisa (who gave him his name after baptism); from then on, the spiritual life of Vulstan was molded day after day due to great catechesis from catechists, priests, and nuns; some of them were Sister Thecla, Sister Florentinna, Fr. Fulgence Kivatiro, and Fr. Valence Mruma. All of these enabled him to receive the sacrament of the Holy Communion on Sunday, 2^nd June 2002, and the sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday, 16^th January 2005. On Wednesday, 4^th October 2023, he married Dr. Christine Hyasint Paul via receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony at the Maria Immaculata (Bwambo) Parish. The Mass is being led by Fr. Dr. Beda Bernard Kiure. 

Early seminary life (2005)

As Vulstan’s brothers, his parents allowed him to go to Chanjale Seminary, the famous junior seminary in the Catholic diocese of Same in Tanzania.

His seminary life started by attending a preparatory year at the Dido-Vocation Training Centre in 2005. In the seminary under the leadership of the rector, Fr. Clement Mtei. In VTC Dido, he was well trained in all aspects of formation, which are spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social interrelationships.

Seminary life (2006-2009)

In the year 2006, he started to attend Form One class at Chanjale Seminary under the leadership of the rector, Fr. Lucas Mdee. At the seminary, he was so impressed with the prayers, hymns, psalter, English mass, and English songs. The motivational speeches of the rector (Fr. Lucas Mdee) gave him more strength to encounter seminary life with zeal and confidence.

He completed ordinary-level education at the seminary, and during graduation day on 24^th October 2009, he was awarded a certificate for zeal and constancy in academics at the seminary.

Post-Seminary life (2009-2010)

After completing an ordinary level, he was selected by Fr. Christopher Mboya, who was the rector of Dido-Vocation Training Center at the time, to assist in the work of providing integrated formation.

Advanced secondary life (2010-2012)

He attended Tosamaganga High School in 2010 with advanced science studies in physics, chemistry, and biology.

Post-advance secondary life (2012)

After advanced school, he was selected by Fr. Br. Moses Mbwambo to assist in teaching activities at St. Stephen Boys Secondary School, which is near Chanjale Seminary, prior to his university studies.

University life (2012-2015)

He attended the International Medical and Technological University (IMTU) for a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology.

Post-university life (2016-2017)

After university, he attended a one-year internship program at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) from October 2015 to November 2016. He continued volunteering from November 2016 to July 2017.

Job life (2017-2021)

Worked with the USAID program at the Southern Zone of Tanzania from July 2017 to March 2019 as a medical laboratory scientist in the Mtwara region. He also worked with the Benjamin Mkapa Foundation in the same post from March 2019 to January 2021.

Further Specialization (2020-2022).

From September 2020 to September 2022, he attended further studies at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) for the MSc in Epidemiology and Laboratory Management. He graduated with his master's studies on December 3, 2022. He was awarded the MUHAS Prize as the best final-year student in MSc in Epidemiology and Laboratory Management (MSc. ELM) during the MUHAS prize celebration ceremony conducted at MUHAS on December 2, 2022.

Job life (2022-Date)

In July 2022, he was employed by the government under the Ministry of Health of Tanzania at the Southern Zone Referral Hospital in the Mtwara region. He worked as a field epidemiologist, medical laboratory scientist, and research scientist. He also works as the head of the Department of Clinical Research, Training, and Consultancy at the Southern Zone Referral Hospital, Mtwara Region, Tanzania.

Originality of the Name Vulstan

The name "Wulstan" (also known as "Vulstan") finds its origin in the Old English tongue, uniting the elements wulf ("wolf") and stan ("stone"). In its meaning—“wolf stone”—it bears a rich symbolism: the wolf, often seen as a creature of watchfulness and strength, and the stone, a biblical image of steadfastness, endurance, and faith’s firm foundation. Thus, Wulstan speaks of one who is both vigilant and immovable in the service of truth. This name has graced notable servants of God, most eminently Saint Wulfstan (1008–1095), a Benedictine friar and later Bishop of Worcester, renowned for his humility, tireless pastoral care, and courageous stand against the slave trade in Bristol. His life reflected the very essence of his name—strong in virtue, unyielding in justice, and rooted in the Rock that is Christ. In Catholic tradition, such a name carries a call to live with the fortitude of the wolf in defending the flock and the steadfastness of the stone in upholding the faith, echoing the words of Our Lord: “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58).

Hobbies and Life Interests

Vulstan likes Saint quotes and is committed to becoming a saint.

His motto, in Latin: “Cum amore et misericordia elegit nos.” translated in English as “With Love and Compassion He has chosen us”