Research Projects

Research Interests

  • Viral epidemics in human and animals
  • Molecular biological characteristics of viruses
  • Virus-host interactions (ecology of viruses)
  • Development of affordable diagnostic tools, vaccines, and antivirals against viral diseases
  • Phage Technology for controlling antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria strains

Augustino Alfred Chengula is involved in several research projects of which he is the lead investigator and others co-investigator as shown below.

List of research projects
  1. Socio-economic impact and spatial distribution of Rift Valley Fever and its management capacity enhancement in East Africa: RUFORUM Project 2009 – 2012. MSc Student.
  2. Jongejan F, Swai ES, Chengula AA, Rukambile EJ (2015-2016). Parasite mapping project in Tanzania. ClinVet International; Project Involvement; Co-Investigator.
  3. Health of Aquatic Resources 2014-2020. Norwegian Development Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) through the Capacity Building for Training and Research in Aquatic and Environmental Health in Eastern and Southern Africa (TRAHESA) project, grant/project No. TAN-13/0027. PhD Student.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  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. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.