About

Associate Professor Stephen Ochaya, Med. Dr. (PhD)

Biography

Dr. Stephen Ochaya, Visiting Associate Professor at Gulu University's Faculty of Medicine, earned his doctorate from the Karolinska Institute, specializing in Trypanosome acetyltransferase genomics. His research portfolio, comprising twelve peer-reviewed publications and a book chapter, focuses on drug target identification in kinetoplastids and malaria vector studies. His investigations examine malaria vector species composition, feeding patterns across ecological niches, and vector-parasite immunological interactions. Dr. Ochaya's work has significantly advanced understanding of malaria transmission dynamics and vector behavior, contributing valuable insights to vector-borne disease control strategies in Uganda and beyond.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Research Interests

Dr. Stephen's investigations explore N-alpha-terminal acetyltransferase inhibition as a therapeutic modality across multiple disease states, notably parasitoses and malignancies. His pioneering work examining NAT suppression mechanisms has garnered substantial attention within the global scientific sphere, advancing understanding of this promising therapeutic approach.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Selected Publications
ARTICLE: JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH. In Press.Assessing the Malaria Burden and Community Response to the Malaria Control and Management Programs in Omoro District, Northern Uganda. Divas S, Opiyo EA, Austin R, Ochaya S.

BOOK CHAPTER: INTECHOPEN. 2023; DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.113762. Possible Chemotherapeutic Potential of Inhibiting N-Alpha Terminal Acetylation Activities to Combat Trypanosome Infections. Stephen Ochaya.

ARTICLE: PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES. 2023;17(8):1-21 Soil-transmitted helminths: A critical review of the impact of co-infections and implications for control and elimination. Lebu S, Kibone W, Muoghalu CC, Ochaya S, Salzberg A, Bongomin F, Manga M.

ARTICLE: JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH. 2023;:2225233. doi: 10.1155/2023/2225233. eCollection. Sibling Species Composition and Susceptibility Status of Anopheles gambiae s.l. to Insecticides Used for Indoor Residual Spraying in Eastern Uganda. Iga J, Ochaya S, Echodu R, Opiyo EA, Musiime AK, Nakamaanya A, Malinga GM.

ARTICLE: JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY. 2022;115(3):724-730. Growth and Reproductive Performance of Edible Grasshopper (Ruspolia differens) on Different Artificial Diets. Malinga GM, Acur A, Ocen P, Holm S, Rutaro K, Ochaya S, Kinyuru JN, Eilenberg J, Roos N, Valtonen A, Nyeko P, Roininen H.

ARTICLE: JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH. 2019;6594212. doi: 10.1155/2019/6594212. eCollection. Characterization of Evolutionarily Conserved Trypanosoma cruzi NatC and NatA-N-Terminal Acetyltransferase Complexes. Ochaya S, Franzén O, Buhwa DA, Foyn H, Butler CE, Stove SI, Tyler KM, Arnesen T, Matovu E, Åslund L, Andersson B.

Reginald L. Austin, Med. Dr. (PhD)

Biography

Dr. Reginald L. Austin currently holds appointments as Visiting Researcher and Lecturer within Gulu University's Faculty of Science, following doctoral studies in Medicine at the Karolinska Institute's Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, and subsequent postdoctoral research at their Center for Molecular Medicine. His initial investigative focus centered on therapeutic agent discovery for type 2 diabetes mellitus. While maintaining expertise in metabolic disorders, Dr. Austin has expanded his research portfolio to include infectious diseases, particularly malaria pathogenesis. Previously, he served as Lecturer in Pharmacology at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Research Interests

Dr. Reginald investigates Ugandan flora, evaluating specimens' therapeutic potential through analysis of thylakoid complexes' effects on feeding behavior and metabolic parameters. His research examines underlying molecular mechanisms and explores GLP-1 receptor agonists' efficacy in addiction treatment. This multifaceted approach integrates ethnobotany with metabolic and behavioral pharmacology.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Publications

ARTICLE: JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH. In Press. Assessing the Malaria Burden and Community Response to the Malaria Control and Management Programs in Omoro District, Northern Uganda. Divas S, Opiyo EA, Austin R, Ochaya S

ARTICLE: JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 2012;287(28):23451-63. Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase stimulates Na+,K+-ATPase activity in skeletal muscle cells. Benziane B, Björnholm M, Pirkmajer S, Austin RL, Kotova O, Viollet B, Zierath JR, Chibalin AV

ARTICLE: DIABETES/METABOLISM RESEARCH AND REVIEWS. 2011;27(3):286-97 . Direct effects of FGF21 on glucose uptake in human skeletal muscle: implications for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Mashili FL, Austin RL, Deshmukh AS, Fritz T, Caidahl K, Bergdahl K, Zierath JR, Chibalin AV, Moller DE, Kharitonenkov A, Krook A

ARTICLE: DIABETES. 2008;57(8):2066-73. siRNA-mediated reduction of inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB kinase prevents tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced insulin resistance in human skeletal muscle. Austin RL, Rune A, Bouzakri K, Zierath JR, Krook A

ARTICLE: DIABETES. 2008;57(6):1508-16. Malonyl CoenzymeA decarboxylase regulates lipid and glucose metabolism in human skeletal muscle. Bouzakri K, Austin R, Rune A, Lassman ME, Garcia-Roves PM, Berger JP, Krook A, Chibalin AV, Zhang BB, Zierath JR

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