Achille Van Christ Manirakiza, MD, MMed, is an Assistant Professor of Oncology and cancer genetics researcher serving as Research Director at King Faisal Hospital Rwanda (KFHR) and the Africa Health Sciences University (AHSU). With over a decade of clinical, research, and academic experience, he is a leading figure in cancer genomics and oncology capacity-building across the African continent.

Dr. Manirakiza completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the National University of Rwanda, followed by a Master of Medicine in Clinical Oncology from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Tanzania. He subsequently pursued advanced international training, including a dual Fellowship in Cancer Genetics and Clinical Medical Ethics at the University of Chicago (2023–2024), as well as specialized training in Clinical Cancer Genomics at the City of Hope and has pursued various cancer genetics’ specific certifications.

Since 2019, Dr. Manirakiza serves as a Clinical Oncologist at King Faisal Hospital Rwanda, the country’s premier tertiary referral center, where he provides care in medical oncology and cancer genetics.

His research focuses on the full spectrum of cancer genetics, including germline genetic testing, cancer genomics, and precision oncology in African populations. This work has been funded by the NIH, the US-Department of Defense (US-DoD) and more. Dr. Manirakiza has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. He also serves on the Editorial Board of ecancer, the African Journal of Cancer Research, and is an active member of the Rwanda Academy of Sciences, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the African Organization of Research and Treatment in Cancer (AORTIC).

Dr Manirakiza co-chairs the African Oncogenetics Network (AON) which was founded with the mission to establish a robust, equitable, and sustainable cancer clinical genetics infrastructure across Africa enabling early detection, personalized treatment, and improved patient outcomes through research, education, collaboration, and accessible genetic services.

Dr. Manirakiza is a recipient of the Susan & Richard Kiphart and Maclean Fellowship (University of Chicago, 2023), the POETIC Fellowship (Massachusetts General Hospital, 2018), the Young African Leaders in Oncology Award (AORTIC, 2018), and the Union for International Cancer Control Technical Fellowship, among other distinctions. He previously served as Chair of the Board of Directors of Rwanda Children’s Cancer Relief (2016–2019).