Personal Statement
I am well-grounded researcher in anthropology of infectious diseases (including HIV and AIDs) with a solid training in EcoHealth principles in systems thinking and trans-disciplinarity. My scholarly work includes 30 book chapters and 70 refereed journal articles on human health in wetland and savanna ecosystem services (ESSs), in particular access to and control over provisioning (water, food and medicinal) and cultural (recreation, spiritual and tourism) including ways in which these affect and are affected by social and institutional relations. I am also well-grounded in patient/client-centered participatory research methods including culturally sensitive documentation of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and traditional health and healing practices (THHP) in southern Africa. In 2011, I was a member of the research team commissioned by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology to conduct a national wide audit of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in Botswana, to develop an IKS national Policy and Implementation Strategy.
I have over twenty years of fieldwork experience in mixed method research designs (MMRD). Between 2010 and 2019, I successfully implemented eighteen (18) local, regional, international multi-scale and multi-site research projects as PI/Co-PI with collaborators in Africa, Europe, North America and Latin America. These include the following: 1) M. Chimbari (Team leader) L. Magole, G. Wiles, B. N. Ngwenya, N. Kurugundla, C. D. T. Fanta, M.S.Nyepi,S. Motsumi, O. Thakadu, N.O. Ama and O. Chombo. Application of the Ecohealth Approach to Understand Flood-recession (Molapo) Farming in the Context of Hydro-climate Variability and Hydro-climate Change in the Okavango Delta, Botswana – Commonly referred to as Botswana EcoHealth Project (BEP); 2) Chimbari, M., Mukaratirwa, S. Ngwenya B. N et.al Promoting the Ecohealth Approach in East and southern Africa (ECOHESA) through networking; 3) Chimbari, J (PI), Mukatarirwa, S (Co-PI), Furu, P (Co-PI), B.N. Ngwenya (Co-Investigator): Social, environment and climate change impacts of vector-borne diseases in arid areas of southern Africa (MABISA) regional project in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe; 4) Tackling Infections in Africa (TIBA) Multi country regional project including Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Ghana and Rwanda funded by the National Institute for Health Research; 5) Socio-cultural and institutional determinants of urogenital Schistosomiasis in Okavango Panhandle Ngamiland. Research Team Members B. N Ngwenya. Phaladze N A, Thakadu, O T., W. Tshiamo., and L Molefhe.
Contributions to Science
Community health and well-being in and around wetland and savanna depend on provisioning (water, food and medicinal) services derived from utilization of natural resources. Medicinal plants, for example, are a useful repository for natural products with a different chemical space. There is a growing problem of drug resistance/ side effects and limited access to combination antiretroviral (cART) drugs especially in rural communities in Africa. Indigenous knowledge of herbal and food plants is an appealing, but neglected resource from which researchers can isolate novel biochemical to develop new and more clinically efficacious interventions to clear a host communicable and non-communicable disease. Traditional health practitioners despite sometimes “low education” levels can grasp scientific concepts; they learn quickly and are keen to partner with biomedical researchers.
Positions and Honors
2017- 2020 present
- Member: University of Botswana Strategy for Excellence Review Task Team
- Member of ORI Strategic and Implementation Plan
- Member Okavango Research Institute (ORI) Review Board
- Coordinator, Ecosystems Service Program
- Member, CesrIKi Board
2011 - 14
- 2013- to present: Professor (Applied Anthropology)
- Institute Appointment, Promotion Review and Selection Committee (IAPRSC)
- ORI Acting Director – Jan- July 2012
- Associate Professor (2011, Cultural Anthropology)
2010 – 2020
- ORI Executive Committee member
- ORI Board member
- ORI Graduate Program Committee member
- ORI Research and Publication Committee
2005 – 2006
- MPhil/PhD Program Committee – Chair
- ORI Winter School Coordinator
Selected publications;
- Ngwenya, B. N., Tlhoiwe, D., Maher, F., Fotso, G., Madome, J., Sethebe, B., Andrae-Marobela (2019), Documentation and Validation of Medicinal Plants used by Traditional Healers for Managing Reproductive Health and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), ORI Research Report, Maun
- Andrae-Marobela, K. et al. (2012) ‘Now I heal with pride: The application of Screens-to-Nature Technology to Indigenous Knowledge Systems Research in Botswana – Implications for drug discovery’, Ch. 10, 239-264 in: Chibale, K., Davies-Coleman, M., Masirimebwa, C (Edts.) ‘Drug Discovery in Africa’, Springer Verlag, Germany.
- Okatch, H., Andrae-Marobela, K., Monyatsi, K.N., Masizana-Katongo, A., Ngwenya, B.N., Muzila, M. (2012) Perceptions of community members in Botswana on safety and efficacy of traditional medicines. In: Allam, A. (ed.) Change, Innovate and Lead for Sustainable Development. Conference Proceedings of the 10th International Conference. World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD), Abu Dhabi, UAE, 19th-21st November, p363-380.
- Tietjen I., Ngwenya B N., Fotso Ghislain., Williams, David., Simonambango Sundana., Ngadjui Bonaventure., Andewrson Raymend., Brockman, Mark., Brumme, Zabrina and Andrae-Marobel (2018) The Croton megalobotrys Mull Arg traditional medicine in HIV/AIDS management: Documentation of patient use, in vitro activation of latent HIV-1 provirus, and isolation of active phorbol esters Journal of Ethnopharmacology 211:267-277.
- Tietjen, I., Gatonye, T., Ngwenya, B.N., Namushe, A., Simonambango, S., Muzila, M., Mwimanzi, P., Xiao, J., Fedida, D., Brumme, Z., Brockman, M., Andrae-Marobela, K. (2016) Croton megalobotrys Müll Arg.and Vitex doniana (Sweet): Traditional medicinal plants in a three-step treatment regimen that inhibit in-vitro replication of HIV-1. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 191, 331-340.
- Okatch, H., Andrea-Marobela, K., Monyatsi, K., Masizana-Katongo, A., Ngwenya, B. N., and Muzila, M (2013) Perceptions of Community members in Botswana on the Safety and efficacy of Traditional Medicines . International Journal of Food, Nutrition and Public Health 6(2):143-157 full text archive of this journal is available at http://www.worldsustainable.org 730: 42- 48.
- Leteane, M., Ngwenya, B.N., Muzila, M., Namushe, A., Musonda, R., Moyo, S., Abegaz, B.M., Andrae-Marobela, K. (2012) Old plants newly discovered: Cassia sieberiana D.C. and Cassia abbreviata Oliv. Oliv. Extracts inhibit in-vitro HIV-1c replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by different modes of action, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 141, 48-56.
- Okatch, H., Ngwenya, B. N., Muzila, M., Leteane, M.B., Kanyenvu, S.S.S., Monyatsi, K.N. and Andrae-Marobela (2012) Determination of potentially toxic heavy metals in traditionally used medicinal plants for HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections in Ngamiland District Analytica Chimica Acta http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003267011016357
- Nthomang K.., Phaladze, N. A., Ngwenya, B. N., Oagile, N., Kubanji, R. (2011) HIV-related stigma and adolescents living with HIV and AIDS in Botswana: Responding to challenges Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies special Issue 25 (1):160 – 175
- Ngwenya B. N. and Thakadu, O. T. (2007). HIV/AIDS Morbidity/mortality, Access to Social Support and Household Utilization of Natural Resources in Ngamiland, Botswana. In Tiezzi E, Marques, J. C and Brebbia, C. A and Jorgensen, S. E (eds) Ecosystems & Sustainable Development Vol 6 WIT Press. pp http://library.itpress.com/pages/PaperInfo.asap?PaperID+18234
- Ngwenya, B. N. Mosepele, K. (2007). HIV/AIDS, Artisanal, Fishing and Food Security in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth 32 (15 -18): 1339-1349. www.elsevier.com/locate/pce DOI 10.1016/j.pce.2007.07.032
- Ngwenya, B. N and Kgathi, D.L. 2006. Access to Water and HIV/AIDS: A Case Study of Home Based Care in Ngamiland. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth 31 (15-16) 669-680
Afirmação pessoal
Sou um pesquisador bem fundamentado em antropologia de doenças infecciosas (incluindo HIV e AIDS) com uma sólida formação em princípios de EcoSaúde em pensamento sistêmico e transdisciplinaridade. Meu trabalho acadêmico inclui 30 capítulos de livros e 70 artigos de periódicos arbitrados sobre saúde humana em áreas úmidas e serviços ecossistêmicos de savana (ESSs), em particular o acesso e controle sobre o abastecimento (água, alimentos e medicamentos) e culturais (recreação, espiritual e turismo), incluindo maneiras pelas quais estes afetam e são afetados pelas relações sociais e institucionais. Também estou bem fundamentado em métodos de pesquisa participativa centrados no paciente / cliente, incluindo documentação culturalmente sensível de sistemas de conhecimento indígenas (IKS) e práticas tradicionais de saúde e cura (THHP) na África Austral. Em 2011, fui membro da equipe de pesquisa comissionada pelo Ministério da Infraestrutura, Ciência e Tecnologia para conduzir uma ampla auditoria nacional de Sistemas de Conhecimento Indígena (IKS) em Botswana, para desenvolver uma Política Nacional de IKS e Estratégia de Implementação.
Tenho mais de vinte anos de experiência em trabalho de campo em projetos de pesquisa de método misto (MMRD). Entre 2010 e 2019, implementei com sucesso dezoito (18) projetos de pesquisa locais, regionais, internacionais, multi-escala e multi-site como PI / Co-PI com colaboradores na África, Europa, América do Norte e América Latina. Isso inclui o seguinte:1) M. Chimbari (Team leader) L. Magole, G. Wiles, B. N. Ngwenya, N. Kurugundla, C. D. T. Fanta, M.S.Nyepi,S. Motsumi, O. Thakadu, N.O. Ama and O. Chombo. Application of the Ecohealth Approach to Understand Flood-recession (Molapo) Farming in the Context of Hydro-climate Variability and Hydro-climate Change in the Okavango Delta, Botswana – Commonly referred to as Botswana EcoHealth Project (BEP); 2) Chimbari, M., Mukaratirwa, S. Ngwenya B. N et.al Promoting the Ecohealth Approach in East and southern Africa (ECOHESA) through networking; 3) Chimbari, J (PI), Mukatarirwa, S (Co-PI), Furu, P (Co-PI), B.N. Ngwenya (Co-Investigator): Social, environment and climate change impacts of vector-borne diseases in arid areas of southern Africa (MABISA) regional project in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe; 4) Tackling Infections in Africa (TIBA) Multi country regional project including Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Ghana and Rwanda funded by the National Institute for Health Research; 5) Socio-cultural and institutional determinants of urogenital Schistosomiasis in Okavango Panhandle Ngamiland. Research Team Members B. N Ngwenya. Phaladze N A, Thakadu, O T., W. Tshiamo., and L Molefhe.
Contribuições para a ciência
A saúde e o bem-estar da comunidade dentro e ao redor das áreas úmidas e savanas dependem de serviços de abastecimento (água, alimentos e medicamentos) derivados da utilização de recursos naturais. As plantas medicinais, por exemplo, são um repositório útil para produtos naturais com um espaço químico diferente. Há um problema crescente de resistência aos medicamentos / efeitos colaterais e acesso limitado aos medicamentos antirretrovirais combinados (TARC), especialmente nas comunidades rurais da África. O conhecimento nativo de ervas e plantas alimentícias é um recurso atraente, mas negligenciado, a partir do qual os pesquisadores podem isolar novos bioquímicos para desenvolver intervenções novas e mais clinicamente eficazes para limpar um hospedeiro de doenças transmissíveis e não transmissíveis. Os praticantes de saúde tradicionais, apesar dos níveis de “baixa escolaridade” às vezes, podem compreender conceitos científicos; eles aprendem rapidamente e desejam fazer parceria com pesquisadores biomédicos.
Cargos e honras
2017-2020 presente
- Membro: Equipe de Tarefa de Revisão de Estratégia para Excelência da Universidade de Botswana
- Membro do Plano Estratégico e de Implementação ORI
- Membro do Conselho de Revisão do Instituto de Pesquisa Okavango (ORI)
- Coordenador, Programa de Serviços de Ecossistemas
- Membro, Conselho CesrIKi
2011-14
- 2013- até o presente: Professor (Antropologia Aplicada) • Comitê de Nomeação, Revisão de Promoção e Seleção do Instituto (IAPRSC)
- Diretor em exercício da ORI - janeiro a julho de 2012
- Professor Associado (2011, Antropologia Cultural)
2010-2020
- Membro do Comitê Executivo ORI
- Membro do Conselho ORI
- Membro do Comitê do Programa de Pós-Graduação ORI
- Comitê de Publicação e Pesquisa ORI
2005-2006
- Comitê de Programa MPhil / PhD - Presidente
- Coordenador da Escola de Inverno ORI
Publicações selecionadas;
- Ngwenya, B. N., Tlhoiwe, D., Maher, F., Fotso, G., Madome, J., Sethebe, B., Andrae-Marobela (2019), Documentation and Validation of Medicinal Plants used by Traditional Healers for Managing Reproductive Health and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), ORI Research Report, Maun
- Andrae-Marobela, K. et al. (2012) ‘Now I heal with pride: The application of Screens-to-Nature Technology to Indigenous Knowledge Systems Research in Botswana – Implications for drug discovery’, Ch. 10, 239-264 in: Chibale, K., Davies-Coleman, M., Masirimebwa, C (Edts.) ‘Drug Discovery in Africa’, Springer Verlag, Germany.
- Okatch, H., Andrae-Marobela, K., Monyatsi, K.N., Masizana-Katongo, A., Ngwenya, B.N., Muzila, M. (2012) Perceptions of community members in Botswana on safety and efficacy of traditional medicines. In: Allam, A. (ed.) Change, Innovate and Lead for Sustainable Development. Conference Proceedings of the 10th International Conference. World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD), Abu Dhabi, UAE, 19th-21st November, p363-380.
- Tietjen I., Ngwenya B N., Fotso Ghislain., Williams, David., Simonambango Sundana., Ngadjui Bonaventure., Andewrson Raymend., Brockman, Mark., Brumme, Zabrina and Andrae-Marobel (2018) The Croton megalobotrys Mull Arg traditional medicine in HIV/AIDS management: Documentation of patient use, in vitro activation of latent HIV-1 provirus, and isolation of active phorbol esters Journal of Ethnopharmacology 211:267-277.
- Tietjen, I., Gatonye, T., Ngwenya, B.N., Namushe, A., Simonambango, S., Muzila, M., Mwimanzi, P., Xiao, J., Fedida, D., Brumme, Z., Brockman, M., Andrae-Marobela, K. (2016) Croton megalobotrys Müll Arg.and Vitex doniana (Sweet): Traditional medicinal plants in a three-step treatment regimen that inhibit in-vitro replication of HIV-1. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 191, 331-340.
- Okatch, H., Andrea-Marobela, K., Monyatsi, K., Masizana-Katongo, A., Ngwenya, B. N., and Muzila, M (2013) Perceptions of Community members in Botswana on the Safety and efficacy of Traditional Medicines . International Journal of Food, Nutrition and Public Health 6(2):143-157 full text archive of this journal is available at http://www.worldsustainable.org 730: 42- 48.
- Leteane, M., Ngwenya, B.N., Muzila, M., Namushe, A., Musonda, R., Moyo, S., Abegaz, B.M., Andrae-Marobela, K. (2012) Old plants newly discovered: Cassia sieberiana D.C. and Cassia abbreviata Oliv. Oliv. Extracts inhibit in-vitro HIV-1c replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by different modes of action, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 141, 48-56.
- Okatch, H., Ngwenya, B. N., Muzila, M., Leteane, M.B., Kanyenvu, S.S.S., Monyatsi, K.N. and Andrae-Marobela (2012) Determination of potentially toxic heavy metals in traditionally used medicinal plants for HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections in Ngamiland District Analytica Chimica Acta http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003267011016357
- Nthomang K.., Phaladze, N. A., Ngwenya, B. N., Oagile, N., Kubanji, R. (2011) HIV-related stigma and adolescents living with HIV and AIDS in Botswana: Responding to challenges Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies special Issue 25 (1):160 – 175
- Ngwenya B. N. and Thakadu, O. T. (2007). HIV/AIDS Morbidity/mortality, Access to Social Support and Household Utilization of Natural Resources in Ngamiland, Botswana. In Tiezzi E, Marques, J. C and Brebbia, C. A and Jorgensen, S. E (eds) Ecosystems & Sustainable Development Vol 6 WIT Press. pp http://library.itpress.com/pages/PaperInfo.asap?PaperID+18234
- Ngwenya, B. N. Mosepele, K. (2007). HIV/AIDS, Artisanal, Fishing and Food Security in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth 32 (15 -18): 1339-1349. www.elsevier.com/locate/pce DOI 10.1016/j.pce.2007.07.032
- Ngwenya, B. N and Kgathi, D.L. 2006. Access to Water and HIV/AIDS: A Case Study of Home Based Care in Ngamiland. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth 31 (15-16) 669-680