Peter Cheuka

Dr Peter Mubanga Cheuka received his MSc degree in Chemistry from the University of Cape Town in 2014 under the supervision of Prof Kelly Chibale. He was appointed a full-time lecturer and researcher at University of Zambia before proceeding to complete his PhD between 2015 and 2019, again under the supervision of Prof Kelly Chibale at University of Cape Town. During this period, he worked on antimalarial drug discovery projects, particularly those involving medicinal chemistry optimization of novel antimalarial chemotypes. His research interests are in drug discovery focusing on small molecules as potential therapies for tropical diseases. He also teaches general chemistry, organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry at undergraduate and postgraduate levels at University of Zambia.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) University of Cape Town (2015 — 2017)
• Master of Science (MSc) University of Cape Town (2012 — 2013)
• Bachelor of Science with Education (BSc.Ed) University of Zambia (2006 — 2010)

Companies

• Lecturer and Researcher University of Zambia Department of Chemistry (2013)
• MSc Student University of Cape Town (2012 — 2013)
• Staff Development Fellow of Chemistry Department of Chemistry at University of Zambia (2010 — 2012)
• Teacher of Chemistry Libala High School (2011 — 2012)

Book Chapters

• Cheuka, P. M.; Le Manach, C.; Chibale, K. Discovery and Development of UCT943 as a back-up Plasmodium phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase inhibitor preclinical candidate for the treatment of malaria. In: Burger's Medicinal Chemistry, Drug Discovery and Development, Volumes 1 – 8 (under volume 7 “Anti‐Infective Case Histories”). John Wiley & Sons; 2021, 8th edition, 58 - 66 (Book chapter). DOI: 10.1002/0471266949.bmc288
• Luhata, L. P.; Cheuka, P. M. Critical Study of Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profiles of the Genus Odontonema (Acanthaceae). Technological Innovation in Pharmaceutical Research. 2021, 1, 1-9. ISBN: 978-93-90149-90-2
• Cheuka, P. M.; Mayoka, G.; Okombo, J.; Chibale, K. Medicinal chemistry progression of antimalarial hits from phenotypic whole cell screening of SoftFocus libraries. In: Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry. Elsevier Inc; 2019, 53, 25 - 71.