Jackson Muyobela
Lusaka,Zambia
Summary
Driven individual with a collaborative mindset and a strong foundation in research methodologies and data analysis. Excellent communication skills and analytical abilities enable seamless integration into interdisciplinary projects. Poised to contribute significantly to advancing research initiatives and fostering innovation.
Overview
1
1
Language
14
14
years of post-secondary education
20
20
years of professional experience
Work history
Postdoctoral research fellow
Forest and Agricultural Biotechnology Institue
Pretoria, South Africa
2025.04 - Current
- Led and oversaw forest pest surveys across multiple sites, ensuring comprehensive data collection and monitoring.
- Established information system for collection and analysis of pest surveillance data, enhancing data-driven decision making.
- Designed insect rearing protocol for moringa moth in Ethiopia, facilitating research into pest management strategies.
- Applied DNA barcoding alongside morphology to identify the moringa moth.
- Identified the components of the moringa moth sex pheromone profile.
- Built correlative ecological niche models to map species potential distribution.
- Authored and co-authored scholarly articles for high-impact journals.
Principal Tsetse Control Biologist
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
Lusaka, Lusaka Province
2018.01 - 2025.07
- Developed innovative tsetse trapping systems, including vehicle-mounted and large sticky traps, to enhance capture efficiency.
- Planned and supervised tsetse and trypanosomiasis surveys, applying control operations to mitigate disease spread.
- Created a geospatial national database for tracking animal trypanosomosis and tsetse vectors in Zambia, improving data accessibility for research and control efforts.
- Trained junior staff in tsetse biology, molecular biology, and GIS.
- Performed DNA sequencing to identify tsetse species variations.
Senior Tsetse Control Biologist
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
Kasama, Zambia
2012.01 - 2018.07
- Coordinated tsetse control operations, effectively mitigating risk of African animal trypanosomiasis in targeted areas.
- Supervised tsetse and African animal trypanosomiasis surveys, ensuring compliance with established survey standards.
- Directed acaricide resistance evaluation using bioassays across 3 tick species in Zambia.
- Contributed to the development of Zambia’s national animal disease surveillance database infrastructure, enhancing data accessibility.
Tsetse Control Biologist
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
Isoka, Zambia
2006.11 - 2012.12
- Led tsetse and African trypanosomiasis survey and control operations, enhancing understanding of disease dynamics.
- Collected and analysed biological data to inform research decisions, facilitating progress in tsetse control strategies.
- Drafted ecological monitoring protocols to assess non-target organism impacts, supporting environmental conservation efforts.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Entomology
University of Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa 2020.01 - 2024.11
Master of Science - Entomology
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia 2009.06 - 2014.12
Bachelor of Science - Entomology and Parasitology
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia 2001.11 - 2005.12
Skills
- GIS georeferencing and mapping
- Ecological modelling
- Statistical modelling in R
- Spatial and temporal modelling
- Molecular biology
- Sanger sequencing
- Bioinformatics
- Chemical ecology
- Bioassays
- GC-MS
- Geomorphometric analysis
Publications
- Muyobela J, Chilongo K, Mukumbwali M, Sihoka C, Paone M. Developing a national atlas to support the progressive control of tsetse ‑ transmitted animal trypanosomosis in Zambia. Parasit Vectors. 2025;18(1):1–14.
- Muyobela J, Pirk CWW, Yusuf AA, Sole CL. Phenotypic divergence of Glossina morsitans (Diptera : Glossinidae) populations in Zambia: Application of landmark-based wing geometric morphometrics to discriminate population-level variation. Ecol Evol. 2024;14(10):1–16.
- Muyobela J, Pirk CWW, Yusuf AA, Sole CL. Spatial distribution of Glossina morsitans (Diptera: Glossinidae) in Zambia: A vehicle-mounted sticky trap survey and Maxent species distribution model. PLoS Negl Trop Dis [Internet]. 2023;17(7):1–20. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011512
4. Muyobela J, Pirk CWW, Yusuf AA, Mbewe NJ, Sole CL. A novel vehicle-mounted sticky trap; an effective sampling tool for savannah tsetse flies Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood and Glossina morsitans centralis Machado. PLoS Negl Trop Dis [Internet]. 2021;15(7):1–14. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009620 - Muyobela J, Nkunika POY, Mwase ET. In vitro acaricidal activity of Bobgunnia madagascariensis Desv. against Amblyomma variegatum (Fabricius) (Acari: Ixodidae). Trop Anim Health Prod. 2016;48(3):625–31.
- Muyobela J, Nkunika POY, Mwase ET. Resistance status of ticks (Acari; Ixodidae) to amitraz and cypermethrin acaricides in Isoka District, Zambia. Trop Anim Health Prod. 2015;47(8):1599–605.
Conferences and Seminars
- 37th Annual Meeting of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP), 2026
- Joint IUFRO meeting of IUFRO WP 7.03.13 and 7.03.16: Intersection of Behavioural/Chemical Ecology and Biological Control Systems, 2025.
- 37th Conference of the International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC), 2025.
- 36th Annual Meeting of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP), 2025
- Research symposium on Tsetse-Transmitted African Trypanosomiasis, 2024
- 34th Conference of the International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC), 2017.
Courses
- Chemical Ecology Practicum, 2025
- Introduction to Phylogenetic Analysis, 2025
- Introduction to DNA Sanger Sequencing, 2025
- Regional (AFRA) Training Course on Population Genetic Studies to Support Field Projects, 2023
- Introduction to Microsatellite Analysis, 2023
- Species Distribution Modelling with Remote Sensing, 2021
- DAAD Access to E-Resources, 2021
- Developing national atlases of tsetse and African animal trypanosomosis, 2021
- Use of Georeferenced Fly Rounds for Cost-Effective Entomological Surveillance of Savannah Tsetse Species, 2018
- Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC): The Planning and Execution of PATTEC Projects, 2016.
- Australia Awards Africa Short Course: Increasing the Developmental Impact of Agricultural Research, 2015
Languages
English
Native
Timeline
Postdoctoral research fellow
Forest and Agricultural Biotechnology Institue
2025.04 - Current
Doctor of Philosophy - Entomology
University of Pretoria
2020.01 - 2024.11
Principal Tsetse Control Biologist
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
2018.01 - 2025.07
Senior Tsetse Control Biologist
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
2012.01 - 2018.07
Master of Science - Entomology
University of Zambia
2009.06 - 2014.12
Tsetse Control Biologist
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
2006.11 - 2012.12
Bachelor of Science - Entomology and Parasitology
University of Zambia
2001.11 - 2005.12