Vimbaishe Chibanga, mentee in the 2019 MedTech-Pharma program in QLD (Griffith University)
Vimbaishe Chibanga obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and human anatomy and physiology from the University of Cape Town in South Africa in 2015. She subsequently received a first-class Honours degree in Medical Biochemistry from the same institution. She is currently in the third year of a Doctor of Philosophy in biological sciences degree at Griffith University in Gold Coast. In addition to her research, she works part-time at the Institute for Glycomics as a facility manager for the protein purification facility.
Her PhD research focusses on characterising the interactions between human parainfluenza viruses and host receptors. Since there are currently no licensed drugs to treat infected individuals, this project aims to identify new structure-based drug templates for future antiviral drug designs. The project includes several techniques in molecular biology, recombinant protein design and expression, virology, structural biology and data analysis.
In addition to her research, she has a keen interest in policy development and is an experienced science communicator. She currently volunteers with STEM school outreach programmes, has received recognition for her oral and written presentations and is an active member of the Gold Coast Advisory council and Griffith University Academic Committee.
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