KAZHILA CROFFAT CHINSEMBU

PhD (University of Namibia)

MSc (distinction) Free University of Brussels, Belgium

BSc. Ed (merit) University of Zambia

Senior lecturer

Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, P/Bag 13301, Windhoek, Namibia. Room W055, Ground Floor, W Block

264-61-2063426/ 264-61-2063791

kchinsembu@unam.na

Dr. Chinsembu is a Senior Lecturer in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, Applied Genetics, and Immunology. Formerly, a lecturer at the University of Zambia (1996-2002), and Researcher at the Nairobi-based International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE). His corpus includes scholarly works in leading international journals.

Cell Molecular Biology and Genetics, MBL 3631

Introduction to Microbiology, MBL 3632

Genetics, MBL 3732

Applied Genetics, MOL 3812

Cell Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Genetics for Educators, MBE 3771

Diversity of Life, BLG 3512

Introduction to Biology, BLG 3411

Genetic diversity of organisms; Environmental and medical pathogens; ethnomedicines for HIV/AIDS; ethnoveterinary medicines; Indigenous Knowledge Systems; public and adolescent health; HIV/AIDS and education; and science policy issues.

Journal articles:

LAST TWO YEARS ONLY

Hedimbi, M., Kaaya, G.P. and Chinsembu, K.C. (2011). Mortalities induced by entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae to different ticks of economic importance using two formulations. International Research Journal of Microbiology 2(4): 241-245. Available at:

http://interesjournals.org/IRJM/Pdf/2011/May/Hedimbi%20et%20al.pdf

Chinsembu, K.C., Shomwooshili-Shaimemanya, C., Kasanda, C.D. and Zealand, D. (2011). Indigenous knowledge of HIV/AIDS among High School students in Namibia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7: 17 doi:10.1186/1746-4269-7-17. Available at: http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/pdf/1746-4269-7-17.pdf

Chinsembu, K.C. and Faul, A. (2010). Iron starvation induces expression of a putative xylanase gene in Salmonella enterica subsp. Enterica serovar Enteritidis mini-transposon5 lacZ1 mutants. International Journal of Genetics and Molecular Biology 2(7): 140-146. Available at:

http://www.academicjournals.org/IJGMB/PDF/pdf2010/July/Chinsembu%20and%20Faul.pdf

Chinsembu, K.C. and Hedimbi, M. (2010). Ethnomedicinal plants and other natural products with anti-HIV compounds and their putative modes of action. International Journal for Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Research 1(6): 74-91. Available at: http://www.academicjournals.org/IJBMBR/PDF/pdf2010/Sep/Chinsembu%20and%20Hedimbi%20.pdf

Chinsembu, K.C. and Hedimbi, M. (2010). An ethnobotanical survey of plants used to manage HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections in Katima Mulilo, Caprivi region, Namibia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2010  6:25 [Highly accessed]. Available at: http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/pdf/1746-4269-6-25.pdf

Chinsembu, K.C., Hakwenye, H. and Uzabakiriho, J-D. (2010). Isolation and serotyping of Legionella pneumophila from Goreangab dam and hostel shower heads in Namibia. African Journal of Microbiology Research 4(16): 1890-1896. Available at: http://www.academicjournals.org/ajmr/PDF/Pdf2010/18Sep/Chinsembu%20et%20al.pdf

Chinsembu, K.C. and Hedimbi, M (2009). A survey of plants with anti-HIV active compounds and their modes of action. Medical Journal of Zambia, 36(4).

Chinsembu, K.C. (2009). Model and experiences of initiating collaboration with traditional healers in validation of ethnomedicines for HIV/AIDS in Namibia.  Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2009, 5:30. Available at: http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1746-4269-5-30.pdf

Chinsembu, K.C. (2009). Mechanisms and molecular genetic bases of rapid speciation in African cichlids. Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 3 (4), 81-91. Available at:

http://academicjournals.org/bmbr/PDF/Pdf2009/Aug/Chinsembu.pdf

Chinsembu, K.C. (2009). Sexually Transmitted Infections in Adolescents. The Open Infectious Diseases Journal, 2009, 3, 107-117. Available at:

http://bentham.org/open/toidj/articles/V003/SI0106TOIDJ/107TOIDJ.pdf

Kasanda, C.D. & Chinsembu, K.C. (2009). Challenges facing science in higher education and research institutions in Africa. In The challenge of change in Africa’s higher education in the 21st century (Eds. Mwenda, K.K. & Muuka, G.N.). Amherst, New York: Cambria Press.

Books:

Matondo, P. Chinsembu, K.C. and Kapembwa, M.S. (1998) (Eds): Sexually transmitted disease syndromes: a text and atlas. First published in 1998 by the Government of the Republic of Zambia, printed by Xpress Yourself, Lusaka, Zambia.

Chinsembu, K.C., Matondo, P. and Banda, S.S. (1997). Sexually transmitted diseases: a training manual for health workers. Published by Ministry of Health/USAID/AIDSCAP, Lusaka, Zambia.

Chapters in books:

Kasanda, C.D. & Chinsembu, K.C. (2009). Challenges facing science in higher education and research institutions in Africa. In The challenge of change in Africa’s higher education in the 21st century (Eds. Mwenda, K.K. & Muuka, G.N.). Amherst, New York: Cambria Press.

Chinsembu, K.C. (2001). Pesticides and toxic substances. State of the Environment Report, Zambia, p82-87.

Chinsembu, K.C. and Matondo, P. (1998) Basic microbiology and immunology of sexually transmitted diseases. In: Matondo, P.,  Chinsembu, K.C. and Kapembwa, M.S. (1998) (Eds): Sexually transmitted disease syndromes: a text and atlas. Chapter 3, p12-17.

Macuacua, R., Munjunga, P. and Chinsembu, K.C. (1998). Laboratory diagnosis of STDs. In: Matondo, P.,  Chinsembu, K.C. and Kapembwa, M.S. (1998) (Eds): Sexually transmitted disease syndromes: a text and atlas. Chapter 5, p53-63.

Selected reports:

Chinsembu, K.C. (1994). Regional Workshop on Statistics in Plant Protection, Final Project Report, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden.

Mugoya, C. and Chinsembu, K.C. (1992). Screening of some maize cultivars for resistance to the stem borers Chilo partellus and Busseola fusca in Zambia. International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Annual Report.  p.63.

Mugoya, C. and Chinsembu, K.C. (1992). Role and preference of host plants maize, sorghum and wild hosts on stem borer complex in relation to the indigenous stem borer parasitoid Cotesia sesamiae. International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Annual Report. p63-64.

Mugoya, C. and Chinsembu, K.C. (1992). Studies on seasonal population patterns of stem borers Chilo partellus and Busseola fusca using pheromone traps. International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Annual Report. p64-65.

Mugoya, C. and Chinsembu, K.C. (1992). Studies on the potential of Tephrosia vogelii in the management of maize and sorghum stem borers. International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Annual Report. p65-66.

Mugoya, C. and Chinsembu, K.C. (1992). Effect of early planting and use of resistant cultivars on incidence and severity of  maize streak virus (MSV) on resistant and susceptible maize cultivars in farmers’ fields. International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Annual Report. p66.

Popular science policy articles:

Chinsembu, K.C. (2006). Why we must re-educate African science. The Scientist, June 2006,  http://www.the-scientist.com/2006/6/1/48/1/

Chinsembu, K.C. (2006). African science must regain control of local resources. Science and Development Network online: http://www.scidev.net/content/opinions/eng/african-science-must-regain-control-of-local-resources.cfm (published on February 2, 2006).

Chinsembu, K.C. (2005). My ten years of teaching science in Africa. Science in Africa online:  http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2005/ november/teaching.htm (published November edition, 2005).

Dr. Chinsembu is a co-chair of the NEPAD/UNAM Steering Committee on validation of traditional medicines for HIV/AIDS treatment in Namibia. He also serves as team leader for ethnoveterinary medicines research under the NEPAD/SANBio livestock research project.

In 2010, he was invited to speak at TEDxLusaka, an affiliate of the prestigious US-based non-profit organization TED, that invites special and rare thinkers that possess ideas worth spreading and ideas that can change the world. In March 2009, Dr. Chinsembu was invited by His Excellency Rupiah Banda, the President of the Republic of Zambia, to represent Zambians in the Diaspora at the national indaba called to discuss how Zambia could respond to the global economic crisis.

In November 2008, Dr. Chinsembu was part of the 20 eminent African scientists invited by the European Commission to present Africa’s Science and Technology position at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. In 2007, Dr. Chinsembu was invited as an expert at the 4th NEPAD Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) conference held at the famous Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.

He is a reviewer for several international journals and the coordinator for the Drought Research Network of Southern Africa.

Dr. Chinsembu is a public-read intellectual. He was a columnist for The Southern Times newspaper where he authored more than 60 articles on HIV/AIDS. He was a recipient of the SIDA/Panos Southern Africa HIV/AIDS fellowship on Talking Treatment. His personal and professional life stories have been featured by the New York-based magazine, The Scientist (June 2006), Science in Africa (November 2002), and Zambia’s leading newspaper The Post (August 5, 2007). He has been interviewed by several science and development media including Nature and SciDev.net.