Portrait of Choonzo Chiyumba
CHEMIST · RESEARCHER · PROBLEM SOLVER

Building molecules, proteins and possibilities

I am a Zambian PhD chemist based in Cambridge. My research combines multi-step synthesis, metalloporphyrin chemistry, protein engineering and quantitative spectroscopy to create and understand new artificial metalloenzymes.

I am now building towards a career in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, with a particular commitment to malaria and other global-health challenges.

3peer-reviewed publications
40+compounds synthesised
3international conferences
£2,500competitive RSC funding
CORE EXPERTISE

From molecular design to functional systems

01

Synthetic & medicinal chemistry

Multi-step organic and organometallic synthesis, analogue design, scaffold diversification and structure–activity analysis.

02

Biocatalysis & protein engineering

Engineered cytochrome b562 variants, recombinant protein workflows and synthetic cofactor assembly.

03

Bioconjugation

Protein–small molecule conjugation, metalloporphyrin functionalisation and quantitative cofactor-binding studies.

04

Analytical science

NMR, HPLC, HRMS, UV–visible, fluorescence and IR spectroscopy, with assay and protocol development.

OPEN TO OPPORTUNITIES

Research, collaboration and chemistry with purpose.

Interested in medicinal chemistry, biocatalysis, bioconjugation, chemical biology and global-health research.

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