Professor Sody Munsaka

Photo of Dr. Munsaka
Department of Biomedical Sciences (Health Sciences)
Dean
Lecturer
Biography

 

Academic Qualifications:

  • PhD 
  • MSc.
  • Sc.

Professor Sody M. Munsaka is a Neuroimmune and Infectious Diseases Scientist working as a Lecturer and Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Zambia, School of Health Sciences. Professor Munsaka teaches Immunology, Virology, Molecular Biology, Research Methods and Biostatistics to Biomedical Sciences students, medical students and postgraduate students. His research interest is in Patho-immune mechanisms of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and interactions with drug abuse and other infectious diseases including malaria and tuberculosis. He is also involved in a research project to evaluate correlates of immune dysfunction in HIV- and HHV-8-infected patients. He graduated from the University of Zambia (BSc-Biological Sciences, Microbiology major), and the University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (MSc and PhD in Biomedical Sciences-Tropical Medicine). Professor Munsaka also completed his post doctoral fellowship in Neuroscience (Neuroimmune Pharmacology) from the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Department of Medicine Neuroscience and Magnetic Resonance Research programme.

Research Interests
  • HIV-1 (Neuro)pathogenesis
  • Biomarkers of HIV-associated Neurocognitive Disorders
  • Early HIV infection, peripheral and CNS reservoirs
  • Neglected Infectious Diseases Vaccine Development and efficacy (Rotavirus, Tuberculosis, malaria, HIV).
Publications
  1. Kazimbaya KM, Bosomprah S , Simuyandi M, Chisenga CC, Chilengi R, and Munsaka, SM (2018) Efficacy and Effectiveness of Rotavirus Vaccine on Incidence of Diarrhoea among Children: A Meta-analysis. Pediatric Infect Dis Vol.3, No.1: 60.
  2. Mwila-Kazimbaya, K., Garcia, M.P., Bosomprah, S., Laban, N.M., Chisenga, C.C., Permar, S.R., Simuyandi, M., Munsaka, S. and Chilengi, R., 2017. Effect of innate antiviral glycoproteins in breast milk on seroconversion to rotavirus vaccine (Rotarix) in children in Lusaka, Zambia. PloS one, 2017 12(12), p.e0189351.
  3. Chiboola H and Munsaka S, Nature and role of traditional forms of counselling in Zambia: a case of Lusaka province, British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 2016: 1-12. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2016.1187710)
  4. Munsaka, SM, Zika Virus: Why should we care? What do we do about it? Journal of Preventive and Rehabilitative Medicine, 2016 1 (1), 4-6
  5. Panee J, Pang X, Munsaka S, Berry M, Chang L, Independent and Co-morbid HIV Infection and Meth Use Disorders on Oxidative Stress Markers in the Cerebrospinal Fluid and Depressive Symptoms. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2015 Jan 10(1), 111-121. PMID: 25575491.
  6. Bandaru VV, Mielke MM, Sacktor N, McArthur JC, Grant I, Letendre S, Chang L, Wojna V, Pardo C, Calabresi P, Munsaka S, Haughey NJ. A lipid storage-like disorder contributes to cognitive decline in HIV-infected subjects. Neurology. 2013 Sept 11; 81:1-8. PMID: 24027056.
  7. Chang, L., Munsaka, SM., Kraft-Terry, S., Ernst, T., Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to Assess NeuroInflammation and Neuropathic Pain, J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2013 Jun; 8(3):576-93, PMID: 23666436.
  8. Andres MA, Feger U, Nath A, Munsaka S, Jiang CS, Chang L., APOE ε4 allele and CSF APOE on Cognition in HIV-Infected Subjects J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2011 Sep; 6(3):389-98, PMID: 21184197.
  9. Munsaka SM, Agsalda M, Troelstrup D, Hu N, Yu Q, Shiramizu B., Characteristics of Activated Monocyte Phenotype Support R5-Tropic Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Immunol Immunogenet    Insights. 2009; 1:15-20, PMID: 19997535.

Abstracts/Posters And Oral Presentations At Conferences

  1. Munsaka, S.M., Ernst, T., Jiang, C., Chang, L., Age-Dependent Increases in Peripheral and Central Nervous System Inflammation in HIV-infected and Marijuana Users. New Horizons in Human Brain Imaging and Genetics Conference, Turtle Bay, Hawaii, March 4-6, 2013
  2. Munsaka SM, Feger U, Nerurkar V, Chang L, Marijuana Use May Increase Susceptibility to HIV Infection and Neuroinflammation, 18th annual meeting of the Society on Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Honolulu, Hawaii , May 25-28, 2012, J Neuroimmune Pharmacol (2012) 7 (Suppl 1):S5–S81
  3. Katayama N, Munsaka S, Jiang C, Nakama H, Chang L, Psychological Distress and Depressed Mood In HIV Patients and Methamphetamine Users, 18th annual meeting of the Society on Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Honolulu, Hawaii , May 25-28, 2012, J Neuroimmune Pharmacol (2012) 7 (Suppl 1):S5–S81
  4. Tanizaki N, Munsaka S, Nerurkar V, Jiang C, Chang L, Neuroinflammation and Depressive Symptoms In HIV Patients and Methamphetamine Users, 18th annual meeting of the Society on Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Honolulu, Hawaii , May 25-28, 2012, J Neuroimmune Pharmacol (2012) 7 (Suppl 1):S5–S81
  5. Munsaka S., Effects of Marijuana on Peripheral and Central Nervous Immune Markers in HIV-infected Subjects and Marijuana Users, a dissertation submitted to the graduate division of the University of Hawaii in partial fulfillment on the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences (Tropical Medicine) , May 12th, 2012
  6. Kraft-Terry, S., Nakama, H., Munsaka, S., Chang, L., Motor Slowing in HIV-infected Methamphetamine Users, University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine Biomedical Sciences Symposium, April 17-18th, 2012
  7. Munsaka S, Feger S, Nerurkar V, Chang, L., Marijuana Use May Increase Susceptibility to HIV Infection and Neuroinflammation, NIDA Mini-Convention and AAPI Early Career Investigators Symposium, November 11th, 2011, Washington, DC (Oral presentation)
  8. Munsaka S, Feger U, Andres M, Chang L, Cannabinoid Receptor Expression on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of HIV Subjects and Marijuana users by Flow Cytometry, 17th annual meeting of the Society on Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Clearwater Beach, Florida, April 5-10, 2011, J Neuroimmune Pharmacol (2011) 6 (Suppl 1):S4–S59
  9. Andres M, Ernst T, Sadino J, Jiang C, Nakama H, Munsaka S, Chang L, Effects of APOE-ε4 Allele on Brain Function and Structures in HIV Patients, 17th annual meeting of the Society on Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Clearwater Beach, Florida , April 5-10, 2011, J Neuroimmune Pharmacol (2011) 6 (Suppl 1):S4–S59
  10. Munsaka S, Feger U, Ernst T, Nerurkar V, Volper E, Nakama H, and Chang L, Marijuana use worsens cognitive function but does not change CSF immune markers in subjects without HIV associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), 16th annual meeting of the Society on Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Manhattan Beach, California, April 14-17, 2010, J Neuroimmune Pharmacol (2010) 5 (Suppl 1):S3–S59
  11. Andres M.A, Feger U, Nakama H, Munsaka S, Chang L, Lower CSF ApoE in HIV-infected individuals without ApoE4 allele 16th annual meeting of the Society on Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Manhattan Beach, California, April 14-17, 2010, J Neuroimmune Pharmacol (2010) 5 (Suppl 1):S3–S59
  12. Munsaka S, Agsalda M, Troelstrup D, Hu N, Yu Q, Shiramizu B., Activation Monocyte Phenotype Supporting Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection, Methods in International NeuroAIDS Research Conference, May 31st to June 2nd, 2009, Miami, Florida.
  13. Munsaka S, Agsalda M, Troelstrup D, Hu N, Yu Q, Shiramizu B., Activation Monocyte Phenotype Supporting R5-Tropic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection, American Society for Microbiology Hawai'i Chapter Spring Meeting, April 25th, 2009, Honolulu, Hawai'i.
  14. Munsaka S, Agsalda M, Troelstrup D, Hu N, Yu Q, Shiramizu B., Activation Monocyte Phenotype Supporting R5-Tropic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection, University of Hawai'i, John A Burns School of Medicine Biomedical Sciences Symposium, April 14th , 2009, Honolulu, Hawai'i
  15. Shiramizu B, Munsaka S, Troelstrup D, Yu Q. Activation phenotype of monocytes as a mechanism leading to HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. 7th Conference of the Specialized Neuroscience Research Programs, August 19-22, New York City, New York, 2008
  16. Munsaka S, Agsalda M, Troelstrup D, Hu N, Yu Q, Shiramizu B., Characterization of HIV-1 binding to PBMCs and M/MΦ: Relationship to Neuropathogenesis. American Society for Microbiology Hawai'i Chapter Spring Meeting, April 26th, 2008, Honolulu, Hawai'i.
  17. Munsaka S, Agsalda M, Troelstrup D, Hu N, Yu Q, Shiramizu B., Characterization of HIV-1 binding to PBMCs and M/MΦ: Relationship to Neuropathogenesis. 8th International Symposium on NeuroVirology, Oct. 30-Nov. 2, San Diego, California, J. NeuroVirology, 13:107-108, 2007
  18. Shiramizu B, Shikuma C, Munsaka S, Valcour V., Level of HIV-1 DNA in PBMCs increases with severity of neurocognitive dysfunction. 8th International Symposium on NeuroVirology, Oct. 30-Nov. 2, San Diego, California, J. NeuroVirology, 13:5-6, 2007
  19. Munsaka S, Characterization of HIV-1 Binding to Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Versus Monocytes/Macrophage: Relationship to Neuropathogenesis, A thesis submitted to the graduate division of the University of Hawai'i in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (Tropical Medicine), August 12th, 2007
  20. Munsaka S, Data Analysis Methods, Biomedical Society of Zambia, Annual Scientific Symposium, 5th to 8th Oct. 2016, Chrismar Hotel, Livingstone, Zambia
  21. Katema C, Munsaka S, Relationship between Failed Seroconversion to Rotavirus Vaccination and Micronutrient Deficiency in Infants, 1st International Multidisciplinary Conference, 23-25 August, 2017, Lusaka, Zambia
  22. Phiri C, Munsaka S, Molecular Characterisation of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in Semen from Asymptomatic Males attending the Fertility Clinic at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Lusaka, Zambia, 1st International Multidisciplinary Conference, 23-25 August, 2017, Lusaka, Zambia
  23. Ndhlobvu J, Kaile T, Munsaka S, Kowa F, Vitamin B12 and Folate deficiency in Megaloblastic Anaemia diagnosed morphologically at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia, 1st International Multidisciplinary Conference, 23-25 August, 2017, Lusaka, Zambia.
Contact Details
smunsaka1@gmail.com, s.munsaka@unza.zm