CUHAS|SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

The Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy is one of the departments in the School of Pharmacy. It was formally established in 2021. It comprises two subjects namely Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy. Medicinal Chemistry is organized into four Courses each of which is taught in one of the semesters every year. These Courses are General Chemistry, Organic chemistry, Chemotherapeutic agents, and Pharmacodynamic agents which are taught in the semester I, semester IV, semester VI, and semester VII respectively. Most of the medicines that are studied in pharmacy are made from chemical substances. A student of pharmacy needs to have a good knowledge of chemistry to be able to comprehend the chemical nature of medicines and be able to understand how these substances will interact with cellular components of the body.

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General chemistry aims at providing students with a sound knowledge of general, physical, inorganic, and aliphatic chemistry, including practical aspects. The organic Chemistry Course equips students with basic knowledge of aromatic, heterocyclic, and stereochemistry. To introduce students to the science of spectroscopy as applied in organic Qualitative and Quantitative analysis. Moreover, the chemotherapeutic agents Course equips students with adequate knowledge and skills in drug quality assurance, drug development, and the chemistry of drugs used in the management of infectious diseases and malignancies. Lastly, the pharmacodynamic agents Course will equip students with the chemistry of drugs used for the management of non-infectious diseases.

Meet The Team

Mr. Tanga Yango Mafuru

Staff

Tanga Yango Mafuru is a registered pharmacist and an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy at the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS-Bugando). He completed his Bachelor of Pharmacy degree (2014-2018) at CUHAS in Mwanza, Tanzania. Tanga joined CUHAS in February 2020 as a Tutorial Assistant. Prior to his appointment at CUHAS, he conducted an internship at the Pharmacy Council of Tanzania in Dar es Salaam in 2019 after completing his pharmacy degree. He then pursued a Master’s degree in Medicinal Chemistry at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Tanga is committed to contributing to CUHAS's vision, driven by his passion for teaching and research.

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Ms. Tekla Masanja Joseph

Staff

Ms.Tekla Masanja Joseph is a botanist specializing in Medicinal plants and their applications in traditional medicine. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Botanical Sciences from the University of Dar es Salaam,where she developed a strong foundation in plant Biology, Taxonomy, and ecological important of flora in Tanzania.Also Msc.in Traditional medicine development at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences. Currently, Ms.Tekla works at the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS),in the Department of Medicinal chemistry and Pharmacognosy as a Botanist.

Ms. Adelina Thomas

Staff

Adelina Thomas is a registered pharmacist with a strong academic and research background in pharmacognosy and natural medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Pharmacy degree in 2016 from the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS) and completed her internship at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) in 2017. She went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine at Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda. Her research interests focus on the antimicrobial properties of medicinal plants, the toxicity profiles of herbal medicines, and the development of natural insecticides targeting vector-borne diseases. Adelina is passionate about exploring the therapeutic potential of natural products and contributing to evidence-based integration of herbal medicine into healthcare.

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DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOGNOSY.

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Meet The Team

Mr. Tanga Yango Mafuru

Ms. Tekla Masanja Joseph

Ms. Adelina Thomas