benjamin bhunu

Ph.D. Biomedical Scientist with over seven years of pharmacology research experience, dedicated to improving health outcomes for communicable and non-communicable diseases through evidence-based research. I have a strong track record of effective written and oral communication, with four peer-reviewed journal publications and more than ten presentations at national and international conferences. My expertise includes basic science research, statistical data analysis, experimental design, systematic literature review, and project planning, monitoring, and evaluation. With two years of experience teaching biomedical sciences and mentoring students at tertiary institutions, I am seeking a full-time research position in the public sector or academia where I can apply my skills and passion to make a meaningful impact on disease prevention, care and treatment.

Post Doctoral Training, (02/2024 – Present)

University of Ottawa Heart Institute – Ottawa, Canada

• Planned and executed studies seeking to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of atherosclerosis and heart disease development.
• Carried out analyses of bioinformatics and statistical data from the project, involved in grant applications, project management and evaluation.
• Participant in the Brain- Heart Interactome (BHI) project that seeks to understand how cardiac dysfunction may impair cognitive function or how neurodegenerative disorders may impact cardiac function and health.

Temporary Full Time Lecturer, 08/2023 – 12/2023 

University of Zimbabwe – Harare, Zimbabwe

• Actively involved in teaching medical physiology and clinical biochemistry to medical, nursing science, biochemistry, and pharmacy students.

Research Assistant, 06/2019 – 08/2023

Tulane University, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology – New Orleans, United States

• Planned and coordinated experiments, troubleshooted and optimized research protocols, developed and executed research projects to gain insights into the mechanisms of kidney diseases and hypertension after intrauterine growth restriction. 
• Was actively involved in the implementation and management of three independent projects.
• Wrote two scholarly articles and nine abstracts on the developmental origins of hypertension and kidney disease.
• Supervised work undertaken by three undergraduate students who presented their work at local and national meetings.
• Presented research findings at over ten local, national and international meetings.

Graduate Assistant, 02/2017 – 08/2018 

University of Zimbabwe, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry – Harare, Zimbabwe

• Demonstrated laboratory experiments to three hundred biochemistry undergraduate students and medical students and 95% passed their practical exams.
• Supervised dissertation projects of two biochemistry undergraduate students and they passed their projects with distinctions.
• Worked on biochemical pharmacology research involving the identification of bioactive natural products with antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties in the Biomolecular Interactions Laboratory and coauthored one original research paper and presented my work at a national conference.

Molecular Biologist, 09/2014 – 08/2015 

Tobacco Research Board, Division of Molecular Biology – Harare, Zimbabwe

• Worked as an undergraduate intern in the molecular biology division. I carried out assays on GMO screening, viral indexing, qPCR, and gene cloning.

                                                                               Education                                                                               

Doctorate: Biomedical sciences                                                                                                Awarded 08/2023

Tulane University- New Orleans, LA

GPA: 3.79/4.0         

Bachelor of Science: Biochemistry                                                                                           Awarded 07/2016 

University of Zim- Harare, Zimbabwe 

Pass: Distinction