BSc Hons; MSc Med; PhD Candidate - Medical Entomology
Johannesburg, Randburg
Munyaradzi Prince is a post graduate research fellow and lecturer at the Wits Research Institute for Malaria (WRIM) and a Master of Science by Research in Medical Entomology graduate at the University of the Witwatersrand. He became interested in malaria vector control when he joined the Vector Reference Laboratory at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases as a volunteer in July 2017. This laboratory is affiliated to the Wits Research Institute for Malaria and hosts numerous postgraduate research students. During this time, he worked on the sterile insect technique project while assisting with sex separation and PCR identification of field- collected samples. This interaction with senior staff opened up avenues to join their research team as an MSc student and teaching assistant. He learnt to rear An. funestus in colony and other biological aspects of this species and received in-depth training on malaria entomological surveillance. Currently, Munyaradzi is involved in Malaria research and several malaria vector control projects and he lectures undergraduate students and supervises Masters students. He had the opportunity to participate in the WHO AFRO Vector Control Needs Assessment and a capacity-building workshop. Data collected during the workshop led to my first publication which provided baseline information on the Anopheles species diversity, resting behaviour, blood meal source and monitoring of IRS spray quality (Zengenene et al., 2020: https://doi.org/10.4001/003.028.0084). Such information is critical for the planning, implementation and subsequent evaluation of malaria vector control in this area. During my Masters studies, I developed an in-depth understanding of life-table analysis in a major malaria vector. One publication is already published (Zengenene et al., 2021; J Vec Ecol: https://doi.org/10.52707/1081-1710-46.1.24) and it constituted the first report on life-table characterization of an An. funestus strain under laboratory conditions. In addition to this, I investigated parameters for optimal larval rearing to enhance our knowledge on rearing this species in captivity and two publications emanated from this work (Zengenene et al., 2022: https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.12563) and Felambohangy et al., 2023:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106785).
Central African Journal of Public Health • New York
In this role, I am responsible for reviewing submitted manuscripts and providing detailed comments on submitted papers. I hold decision on papers' acceptance or rejection and recommend well-written quality papers for publication in the journal. Additionally, I distribute calls for papers to colleagues, scientific researchers and acquaintances. • Reviewing submitted manuscripts and providing detailed comments on submitted papers • Hold decision on papers' acceptance or rejection • Recommend well-written quality papers for publication in the journal • Distribute calls for papers to colleagues, scientific researchers and acquaintances
WRIM-University of Witwatersrand • Johannesburg
I am responsible for Anophelene mosquito culturing, morphological identification and classification to species level using molecular methods as well as insecticide resistance detection. I also lecture under graduate students (Parasitology, Histopathology, Vector biology and Control). • Developing, teaching, and coordinating courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This includes developing course content that is relevant, current, and responsive to societal needs • Employing a variety of teaching and learning methodologies. This may include blended learning pedagogies and utilizing computer skills for lecture delivery and academic administration • Supervising postgraduate students at Masters level • Contributing to research programs within the department • Contributing to departmental activities and engaging in committee work • Contributing to fundraising strategies for the department • Contributing to major and minor academic developments in the department
Excellers Private Tutors • Johannesburg
I am responsible for delivering mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology (life science) lectures to high school students up matric level on an individual basis, empowering them with skills that lead to self- reliance and giving them skills they need to be able to complete their homework, study and find answers independently. With each lecture I strive to empower students to reach their full potential by building better educational foundations and perfecting study and exam skills. • Delivering mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology lectures to high school students • Empowering students with skills that lead to self-reliance • Building better educational foundations • Perfecting study and exam skills
Speak Out For Animals • Harare
This was a volunteering post and I was responsible for coming up with ideas and projects that have potential to be funded as well as writing project proposals to funding organisations and coordinating and participating in funded projects and filling in the gap in the management conservation of wildlife through programs that mitigate human wildlife conflict. I also raised awareness of the wildlife impact on biodiversity and financial benefits to be realized from sustainable management of wildlife. I was involved in community education on laws that protect companion, domestic, aquatic and wild animals. • Coming up with ideas and projects that have potential to be funded • Writing project proposals to funding organisations • Coordinating and participating in funded projects • Filling in the gap in the management conservation of wildlife through programs that mitigate human wildlife conflict • Raising awareness of the wildlife impact on biodiversity and financial benefits to be realized from sustainable management of wildlife • Community education on laws that protect companion, domestic, aquatic and wild animals
Forestry Research Centre • Harare
In this role, i was involved in aspects of alien invasive pest species affecting Eucalyptus trees and seedlings at a national level. My responsibilities included release of Selitrichodes neseri (biological control agent of the Eucalyptus gall forming pest Leptocybe invasa) nationwide as well as post evaluation establishment of the biological control agent, S. neseri in released areas and its effecicay. I also conducted a national survey of Psyllaephagus bliteus, the biological control agent of eucalyptus lerp forming pest, Glycapsis brimblecombei and was involved in the development of a quarantine facility for the rearing of biological control agents for invasive insect pest species • Release of Selitrichodes neseri (biological control agent of the Eucalyptus gall forming pest Leptocybe invasa) nationwide • Post evaluation establishment of the biological control agent, S. neseri in released areas and its efficacy • Conducted a national survey of Psyllaephagus bliteus, the biological control agent of eucalyptus lerp forming pest, Glycapsis brimblecombei • Development of a quarantine facility for the rearing of biological control agents for invasive insect pest species
Forestry Research Centre Forestry Commission • Harare
PhD Candidate in Medical Entomology
Master of Science in Medicine in Medical Entomology
BSc (Honors) Biological Sciences in Genetics and Microbiology
Advanced Level: 3 Subjects
Ordinary Level: 9 Subjects