Augustino Alfred Chengula

Augustino Alfred Chengula is a veterinarian and Lecturer of Virology at the Department of Microbiology, Parasitology, and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Tanzania. Augustino is also the Head, Department of Microbiology, Parasitology, and Biotechnology (1st July 2023 to 30th June 2026). He obtained his PhD in Veterinary Sciences (Majoring in Virology) from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) in Norway in 2021. He holds an MSc. in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and a BSc. in Veterinary Medicine both from SUA.

Guided by the institution’s mandate, Augustino is involved in training, research, consultancy, and service delivery. He lectures on virology, cell culture techniques, Emerging and re-emerging pathogens in various undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. He has published over 20 peer-reviewed scientific papers in refereed journals. Augustino has broad interests and experiences in the field of Virology, focusing on viral epidemics in humans and animals. His aim is to understand the molecular biological characteristics and virus-host interactions (ecology of viruses) to develop new affordable diagnostic tools, vaccines, and antivirals against viral diseases. He is also interested in the application of Phage Technology (Phage Tech) for controlling antibiotic-resistant pathogenic strains of bacteria in humans, animals, and the environment.

 

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Selected Research Projects

  1. Climate influence on zoonoses at human-livestock-wildlife interfaces in the transboundary region between Kenya and Tanzania (ENHANCE). Participating Institutions: Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania), University of Nairobi and International Livestock Research institute (Kenya) and University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University (Dernamrk). Funded by Danida Fellowship Centre (DFC), DKK 10,349,805 for Five Years (1 October 2023 – 30 September 2028); Co-Investigator.
  2. Sanga G, Lupala AS, Chengula AA and Emma PN (2023-2025). The potentiality of mushrooms as animal feed additive for reducing pathogenic bacteria colonization and improving the health of food animals. A SUA Research and Innovation Support (SUARIS), 30,000,000 Tanzanian shillings; Co-Investigator.
  3. Lupala AS, Yona CM, Chengula AA, Njau EP, Moshiro E, Keyyu J, Ndossi BA, Mwakibuka IA, Hakizimana JN and Misinzo G (2023-2025). Surveillance and Control of viral epidemics of domestic pigs in National protected areas for improvement of food security, and income of small and large-scale farmers. A SUA Research and Innovation Support (SUARIS), 30,000,000 Tanzanian shillings; Co-Investigator.
  4. Kasanga CJ, Chengula AA and Kifaro E (2022-2025). Practical development of microparticles-based assay for direct detection of viral RNA from non-invasive and complex animal matrices. The Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF), USD 84,000; Co-investigator.
  5. Chengula AA, Sanga G, Hoza A (2022-2024). Application of Phage Technology in Poultry industry: An alternative to antibiotics for control of antimicrobial resistance and enhancing productivity. A SUA Research and Innovation Support (SUARIS), 30,000,000 Tanzanian shillings; Principal Investigator.
  6. Chengula AA. (2022-2024). Surveillance and molecular characterization of Marek’s disease virus (MDV) strains circulating in Tanzania. International Foundation for Science, USD 13,982; Principal Investigator.
  7. Yona CM, Chengula AA and Misinzo G. (2021-2022). Improvement of livelihoods and nutritional security of small-scale farmers and fishing communities through viral epidemics control. A SUA Research and Innovation Support (SUARIS), 30,000,000 Tanzanian shillings; Co-Investigator.
  8. Mboera LEG, Hee-Young L, Misinzo G, Sindato C, Rumisha S, Chengula A, Misago S, Bwana V, Jung-Sun Y and Kyung-Chang K. (2020-2022). Consolidation of Research Base Centre in Africa through International Collaborative Research on Emerging Viral Haemorrhagic fevers and Mosquito-borne Viral Diseases in Tanzania. Korea National Institute of Health. 248,756 USD. Co-Investigator.

 

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Selected publications

  1. Issae A, Katakweba AA, Kicheleri R, Chengula A, Kasanga C. (2023). Metagenomics screening of viruses in Arusha, north Tanzania: a one health perspective across wild rodents, domestic dogs and humans. Journal of Ideas in Health [Internet].  FULL TEXT
  2. Issae, A. R., Katakweba, A. A. S., Kicheleri, R. P., Chengula, A. A., and  Kasanga, C. J. (2023). Knowledge, attitudes and practices on rift valley fever among pastoral and agropastoral communities of Ngorongoro in the rift valley ecosystem, Tanzania, conducted in 2021/2022. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 17(8), e0011560. FULL TEXT
  3. Amoia, C.F., Hakizimana, J.N., Duggal, N.K., Chengula, A.A., Rohaim, M.A., Munir, M., Weger-Lucarelli, J., Misinzo, G. (2023). Genetic Diversity of Newcastle Disease Virus Involved in the 2021 Outbreaks in Backyard Poultry Farms in Tanzania. Veterinary Sciences, 10, 477. FULL TEXT
  4. Chengula, A.A., Mugimba, K.K., Tal, S., Levi, R.T., Dubey, S., Mutoloki, S., Dishon, A., David, L., Evensen, Ø., Munang’andu, H.M. (2022). Efficiency, sensitivity and specificity of a quantitative real-time PCR assay for tilapia lake virus (TiLV). Journal of Virological Methods, 114567. FULL TEXT
  5. Ngingo, B.L., Mboera, L.E.G., Chengula, A., Machelle, I., Makange, M.R., Msolla, M., Mwanyika, G.O., Rugarabamu, S., Misinzo, G. (2022). Aedes aegypti abundance, larval indices, and risk for dengue virus transmission in Kinondoni district, Tanzania. Med. Health, 50 (1), 1–8. FULL TEXT
  6. Chengula AA, Mutoloki S, Evensen Ø, Munang’andu HM. (2019). Tilapia lake virus does not hemagglutinate Avian and Piscine erythrocytes and NH4Cl does not inhibit viral replication in vitro. Viruses, 11(12). FULL TEXT
  7. Msomi, A.; Kandusi, S., Ndusilo, N., Mathis, M., Kasanga, C. J., Chengula, A.A. (2018). Molecular characterization of infectious bursal disease virus detected in Morogoro, Tanzania. Tanzania Veterinary Journal 35 (1): 29-35. FULL TEXT
  8. Mugimba, K.K., Chengula, A.A., Wamala, S., Mwega, E.D., Kasanga, C.J., Byarugaba, D.K., Mdegela, R.H., Tal, S., Bornstein, B., Dishon, A., Mutoloki, S., David, L., Evensen, O., Munang’andu, H.M. (2018). Detection of tilapia lake virus (TiLV) infection by PCR in farmed and wild Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from Lake Victoria. Journal of fish diseases, 41 (8): 1181-1189. FULL TEXT
  9. Chengula A.A., Kasanga, C.J., Mdegela R.H., Sallu, R., Yongolo, M. (2014). Molecular detection of Rift Valley fever virus in serum samples from selected areas of Tanzania. Journal of Tropical Animal Health and Production, 46:629–634. FULL TEXT
  10. Chengula, A.A, Mdegela, R.H, Kasanga, C.J. (2013). Socio-economic impact of Rift Valley fever to pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in Arusha, Manyara, and Morogoro regions in Tanzania. SpringerPlus 2:549. FULL TEXT

 

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