Collen Masimirembwa

Collen Masimirembwa’s research focuses on drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), examining how the body absorbs, distributes, breaks down and eliminates medicines. This is important because these processes can determine whether a medicine is effective or causes side effects. Masimirembwa also focuses on pharmacogenomics research, investigating how an individual’s genetic makeup influences their response to medicines. His work aims to improve understanding of genetic variation among people of African ancestry and how this affects responses to medicines. This research is particularly important in Africa, where many medicines currently in use were discovered and tested for effectiveness and safety in European populations and may not have the same effects in African populations.