Christopher Chetsanga

Christopher J Chestanga
Born	(1935-08-22) 22 August 1935 Murehwa, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)
Residence	Zimbabwe
Nationality	Zimbabwean
Fields	Biochemistry, Molecular Biology
Institutions	University of Zimbabwe
Alma mater	University of California, Pepperdine University, University of Toronto
Doctoral advisor	-
Doctoral students	-
Known for	Discovery ot two enzymes involved in DNA repair, which earned him a nomination for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Notable awards	UNESCO Gold Medal Award winner

Christopher J Chetsanga (born 1935 in Murehwa, Rhodesia) is a preeminent Zimbabwean scientist who is a member of the African Academy of Sciences.

Education

• 1965 obtained a BSc degree at the University of California, Berkeley and Pepperdine University in California, USA
• 1965-1969 obtained MSc and PhD degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Toronto, Canada
• 1969-1972 became a Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Harvard University

Scientific Achievements

Discovered two enzymes involved in the repair of damaged DNA:

• Formamidopyrimidine DNA Glycosylase, which removes damaged 7-methylguanine from DNA (1979).
• DNA cyclase, which recloses imidazole rings of guanine and adenine damaged by x-irradiation (1985).

Work experience

• Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Full Professor, University of Michigan, 1972–1983
• Professor of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, 1983–1986
• Dean of Science University of Zimbabwe, (1986–1991)
• Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Zimbabwe, (1991–1993)
• Director General, Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Center, Zimbabwe, 1993-2003

External links

• Brief Curriculum Vitae, University of Zimbabwe, Department of Biochemistry