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Prof Saka is the academic director of the Southern African
Biochemistry and Informatics for Natural Products (SABINA) network.
The main goal of SABINA is to implement proactive postgraduate
programmes in chemistry/biochemistry of natural products. Accordingly,
the SABINA network will train both MSc and PhD level scientists through
research in biochemistry and chemistry of natural products, including
bioinformatics as an essential tool for data management and
structure-function elucidation. The ACGT partner institutions are all
members of SABINA.
Born and raised in Malawi, Prof Saka gained his BSc
(distinction) in 1980 and BSc Hons (First Class) in 1981 from
Chancellor College, University of Malawi. He studied for a PhD (Studies
in 1, 2, 3 triazine chemistry) which he completed in 1985 from the
University of East Anglia. On completion of his PhD, he joined the
Chemistry department at University of Malawi as a lecturer in Physical
Chemistry in 1986, and was later appointed Senior Lecturer in Chemistry
in 1992, and Associate Professor in 195. He became full professor in
2002.
Prof Saka is a chemist with research interests in utilization
and commercialisation of natural resources for household incomes,
improved health and nutrition. He has led and undertaken various
research projects into utilization, processing and marketing of cassava
and miombo indigenous fruit trees. Presently, Prof Saka is the
principal investigator of projects related to (i) processing and
marketing of high quality and safe cassava flour obtaining in Malawi,
(ii) genetics and chemistry (including starch chemistry) of tropical
root and tuber crops in Malawi, (iii) processing, product development
and marketing of high value products from indigenous fruits in Malawi
and (iv) capacity building in water sciences for monitoring and
management of water resources. These projects include a component of
postgraduate training which contributes to human capital development in
basic and applied chemistry. He has also supervised more than twenty
MSc and PhD students. Prof Saka serves as external examiner to the MSc
programme in the Faculty of Chemical and Civil Engineering at the
University of Dar es Salaam.
Prof Saka is actively involved in project development and
implementation. He has over 20 years experience in executing individual
and group research with scientists of different disciplines from within
Africa and beyond. His professional experience ranges from Head of
Chemistry at Chancellor College, the Director of Industrial Consultancy
Unit, Dean of Science, University of Malawi. He has chaired, and
facilitated several committees, centres, and boards at national and
international levels. Prof Saka has published over twenty papers in
international, regional and national refereed scientific journals. He
is chairperson of the Malawi energy Regulatory Authority Board and was
recently elected chair of the African Network for Agriculture, Natural
Resources and Agroforestry Education (ANAFE).
Globally, Prof Saka is one of the lead authors of Chapter 2:
Stationary Combustion of the Volume 2- Energy of the 2006 GHG
Guidelines. Prof Saka participated in the Joint ACCENT/GEIA workshop on
anthropogenic emissions for non-OECD countries in global inventories.
He is now a taskforce member and represents Africa for this component.
Prof Saka is married to Linda Kumwenda and they have six
children and two dependents, aged between 9 and 28 years. his hobbies
include jogging and sightseeing.
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