Career
Following her graduating in Zoology at the University of Dar es Salaam, she joined the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) in 1987, where she worked at the Amani Center to conduct research on Lymphatic Filariasis. Following this, she continued her education at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, where she completed her Master of Science (1990) and Doctor of Philosophy (1995). She continued her research at NIMR thereafter, and became Director of Research Coordination and Promotion (DRCP) in 1998 and then moved on to became the Director of the Lymphatic Filariasis program in 2000, which is now functional in 53 districts (13 million people).
She was appointed Director General of NIMR in 2010, and is the first woman to hold this position.
In June 2015, she went on sabbatical to pursue her political aspirations. At the time, party membership required an entrance course, which Doctor Malecela attended in April, after which she became full member.