Faculty Biography

Sanika Chirwa, PhD

Professor
Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology
School of Medicine
(615) 327-6934 | schirwa@mmc.edu

Center Affiliations

Center for Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience

Research Themes

Autoimmune Diseases, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Precision Medicine, Substance Abuse, Systems Medicine

Active Research Projects

5U54MD007593-10S1 (Adunyah S, PD; Chirwa S, PI), NIMHD/NIH. 2018 – 2021. “Sleep loss and risk for Alzheimer’s disease in African-Americans.”

U92HA31460 (Matthews-Juarez, PD; Chirwa S, Prog. Manager). HRSA/PEPFAR. 10/2019 – 9/2023. “Improving Pediatric HIV Clinical Health Outcomes and Clinical Transformation through Continuous Quality Improvement Processes – Chilenje, Matero, Kanyama, & Chawama Level-1 Hospitals. Lusaka, Zambia.”

Publications

Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) Guideline for CYP2B6 and Efavirenz-Containing Antiretroviral Therapy.
Zeruesenay Desta, Roseann S Gammal, Li Gong, Michelle Whirl-Carrillo, Aditya H Gaur, Chonlaphat Sukasem, Jennifer Hockings, Alan Myers, Marelize Swart, Rachel F Tyndale, Collen Masimirembwa, Otito F Iwuchukwu, Sanika Chirwa, Jeffrey Lennox, Andrea Gaedigk, Teri E Klein, David W Haas

Poor Sleep Quality Is Associated with Higher Hemoglobin A1c in Pregnant Women: A Pilot Observational Study.
Sanika Chirwa, Chioma R Nwabuisi, Gwinnett M Ladson, Linda Korley, Janice E Whitty, Robin Atkinson, John T Clark

Race/ethnicity difference in the pharmacogenetics of bilirubin-related atazanavir discontinuation.
Paul Leger, Sanika Chirwa, Jacinta N Nwogu, Megan Turner, Danielle M Richardson, Paxton Baker, Michael Leonard, Husamettin Erdem, Lana Olson, David W Haas

Pharmacogenetics of efavirenz discontinuation for reported central nervous system symptoms appears to differ by race.
Paul Leger, Sanika Chirwa, Megan Turner, Danielle M Richardson, Paxton Baker, Michael Leonard, Husamettin Erdem, Lana Olson, David W Haas

Immunohistochemical localization of anterior pituitary cell types of vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) following sub-chronic cathinone exposure.
Albert Nyongesa, Jemimah Oduma, Mustafa al'Absi, Sanika Chirwa

Blocking Dopaminergic Signaling Soon after Learning Impairs Memory Consolidation in Guinea Pigs.
Kiera-Nicole Lee, Sanika Chirwa

Keywords

Sleep, Learning and Memory, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer's Disease, Pediatric HIV.

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