Dr Percy Maruwa Chimwamurombe

• PhD (Genetics) University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa, 2002.
• MSc (Master of Science) in Biotechnology, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe, 1996.
• BSc Honours in Biochemistry University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe, 1994.

Senior Lecturer

Main Campus, Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue, Windhoek, P. Bag 13301
Block W, Room W0103

Tel: +264 61 206 3358
Fax: +264 61 206 3791
Cell: +264812744678

pchimwa@unam.na

Dr Percy Chimwamurombe has over 15 years of experience of training and education in the fields of Molecular biology, microbiology, plant pathology, biochemistry and Agricultural Biotechnology. He has been involved consultancies in the Biotechnology field and training several undergraduate, Msc and PhD students. He has been a project team leader for several research studies conducted in Namibia and outside of the country. He is the serving Executive secretary for the African Society for Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms. He is a member of several international Scientific societies.

Advanced Microbiology (MBL3412), Plant Form and Function (BLG3612), Applied Molecular Biology (MBL3402); Introduction to Microbiology (MBL3612); Cell Molecular Biology Genetics and Microbiology for Educators (MBE3771), Introduction to Biology (BLG3411)

Interests:
Biosafety and Regulation of Biotechnology; Genetics of Biodiversity Conservation and Management; Studying cell-cell signalling systems; Studying plant virus movement in plants; Gene cloning and heterologous gene expression systems; Design and development of disease diagnosis techniques; Generation of recombinant vaccines; Studying plant-microbe interactions; Mushroom science; Molecular Markers Technology in Agriculture and Conservation; Genomics, Transcriptomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics.
Expertise:
Management of research projects; Techniques in Classical Virology; Techniques in Molecular Virology; Techniques in Microbiology; Techniques in Basic and Advanced Plant Biotechnology; Techniques in Recombinant DNA Technology; Techniques in Plant and Fungal Molecular Genetics; Ability to plan and execute research independently; Ability to work collaboratively with others in a research environment; Ability to carry work through to publication; Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; Ability to use computer software associated with the field of Molecular Biology; Ability to apply for research grants; Ability to draft policy documents and regulations in safe use of Biotechnology; Ability to organise public training activities in science related matters; Ability to carry out consultancies in Biotechnology and related matters; Genetic engineering of plant for enhanced value and durable disease resistance.

Selected Articles (from 2005):

1. Chimwamurombe PM, Wingfield, BD Botha A-M and Wingfield MJ. 2005 Production of polygalacturonases by isolates of Cryphonectria cubensis of differing virulence. Biosciences, Biotechnology Research Asia Vol 3(2): 252-259.
2. Chimwamurombe PM, Wingfield, BD Botha A-M and Wingfield MJ. 2005. Inhibition of polyagalacturonases from fungal pathogens by stem extract of Eucalyptus grandis. Biosciences, Biotechnology Research Asia Vol 3 (2): 176-186
3. Chimwamurombe PM. 2006. Studying the genetic variations of pearl millets and cowpeas of Namibia: A primer to agricultural biodiversity conservation and associated environment policies formulation. RAEIN-Africa Building Bridges Newsletter Issue Vol 1,No.1 page 5
4. Hedimbi M, Kaaya GP, Singh S and Chimwamurombe PM, 2007. Improvement of formulations for tick control using oils and sunscreens. South African Journal of Veterinary Science 78 (2): 102.
5. Chimwamurombe PM, Uzabakiriho JD, van der Walt F, Coetzee MPA, Roux J and Wingfield MJ. 2007. A survey of plant parasitic fungi occurring on Namibian Acacia species. South African Journal of Veterinary Science 78(2): 110.
6. Chimwamurombe PM, Uzabakiriho J-D and Mapaure I. 2007. A survey of plant parasitic fungi occurring on selected native Namibian trees species of economic importance. (Biosciences, Biotechnology Research Asia, 4(1): 23-28
7. Kapewangolo PT, Kanyomeka K, Chinsembu K and Chimwamurombe PM..2007. Microsatellite analyses of the cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) accessions in Namibia reveal low genetic diversity Biosciences, Biotechnology Research Asia 4(1):77-82
8. Chimwamurombe PM, Maass E, Sheehama J. 2007 Molecular identification of a fungus associated with fruiting structures of the rare Hydnora abyssinica in southern Namibia. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology Volume 1 No. 2 Page No. 153-156.
9. Kanyomeka L, Nalisa M, Mapaure I and Chimwamurombe PM. 2007. First report of Alternaria compacta occurring on Namibian Acacia karoo. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology Volume 1 No. 2 Page No. 177-180.
10. Hedimbi M, Kaaya GP, Singh S and Chimwamurombe PM, Samish M, 2008. Protectants of Metarhizium anisopliae conidia from damage by ultra violet radiation capable of enhancing conidial survival without affecting fungal pathogenicity to ticks. Journal of Experimental Acarology Vol 46, pp 149-156
11. Chimwamurombe PM and Kanyomeka L. 2008. Investigation of report of Ampelomyces sp. associated with twig yellowing in Southern and Eastern Namibia occurring on Namibian Acacia erioloba. Journal Of Pure and Applied Microbiology Volume 2 (2) pp333-336.
12. Chimwamurombe PM. 2008. ABS and creation of an enabling environment for innovation, is it an issue for SADC countries? Marama bean domestication: An ABS case, Building Bridges Newsletter Vol 3 p5-7.
13. Horn L, Chimwamurombe PM, Altamann T and Kandawa-Schulz MA. 2008 Genetic diversity in Namibian sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and its wild relatives using SSR and RAPD analysis. Agricola 2007, Number 17, pp 33-37
14. Chimwamurombe PM, Mapaure I and Hausiku MS. 2009. DNA-based fungal identification: First report of double infection of Alternaria tenuissima and Ampelomyces species on malformed pods of Acacia karoo in Namibia. Asian Journal of Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences (Accepted)
15. Nepolo E, Takundwa M, Chimwamurombe PM, Cullis CA and Kunert K. 2009. A review of geographical distribution of Marama bean [Tylosema esculentum (Burchell) Schreiber] and genetic diversity in the Namibian germplasm. African Journal of Biotechnology (Accepted)

Outreach, Training Workshops

• East and Southern Africa Environmental Chemistry Workshop (ESAECW) and the Sixth Theoretical Chemistry Workshop in Africa (TCWA) Local Organizing Committee Member, 5-9 Dec 2005.
• 35th Annual Congress of the Parasitological Society for Southern Africa (PARSA), Local Organizing Secretary
• National Policy “Enabling the safe use of Biotechnology”. Workshop for the Namibian Agricultural Extension Officers. Safari court Hotel, 14th June 2005. (UNDP Facilitator-Chairperson)
• Workshop on Phenotyping and Molecular Markers Hands-on Practical Training, 19th—23rd June 2006, Windhoek, Namibia (Workshop Organizer)
• Faculty Representative on the Centre for External Board of Studies
• Committee member for the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural resources Pre-veterinary programme
• Executive secretary: African Society for Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms (2009-20013).
• Consultant on Biotechnology matters to NGOs

Past and Current Professional Associations:

• Committee Member : Core of Active Plant People, Namibian Botanical Society
• African Society for Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms.
• Agricultural Society of Namibian
• Southern Africa Society of Plant Pathology
• Indigenous Plant Task Team (IPTT) of Namibia
• International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions