Raymond Macharia
|
|
Raymond lectures in Veterinary Basic Sciences and is currently investigating muscle energetic capacity in enlarged muscles from Myostatin knock-out mice.
Biography
Raymond Gaturuku Macharia graduated in Veterinary Medicine from University of Nairobi, Kenya in 1987. He later obtained a MSc. and PhD in vertebrate muscle growth and development.
He lectured in Veterinary Anatomy at the University of Nairobi, Kenya from 1988. He obtained a scholarship from the World Bank (WB) in 1996 -1997 to enhance his research career at the University of California, Santa Barbara, USA. In 2000 he undertook further research under the aegis of German academic exchange program (DAAD) at the University of Freiburg, Germany.
He left Nairobi University in 2002 to take up a Wellcome Trust research fellowship and later a lectureship position at the Royal Veterinary College, Raymond is a fellow of higher education Academy, UK. and has contributed to both academic and scientific publications in reputable journals.
Research
Raymond is currently investigating weakness in hypertrophic muscles from Myostatin(GDF-8) null mice. This research project examines skeletal muscle structure, functional physiology and development in the myostatin null model. It involves examining the physiological properties of the myostastin muscles to understand what makes them weaker than normal muscles during force production. This project is funded by Wellcome trust.
In addition he is also involved in a project investigating the role of MyoD gene in the development of the skeletal neuromuscular junction. This research asks the important question of the postnatal role of MyoD gene, a gene known to be important in the commitment of cells to the muscle lineage.
He received a Jim Bee Teaching award to develop 3D images for innovative teaching of head anatomy. This project is funded by the LIVE centre and aims at developing 2D/3D anatomy illustrations to enhance understanding anatomy and linking it with clinical aspects.
Teaching
Raymond is involved in several teaching roles at the Royal Veterinary College, primarily teaching on the nervous system.
Selected Publications
AMTHOR, H., MACHARIA, R., NAVARRETE, R., BROWN, S.C., MUNTONI, F., VRBÓVA, G., & PATEL, K. (2007) Lack of Myostatin in mice results in excessive muscle but impaired force generation, tubular aggregates and alterations in fibre type profile. PNAS 104, 1835-1840.
COX, B., MACHARIA, R., SHORT, N., WHITTLESTONE, K. (2007). Veterinary Potcasting. Higher education academy. Medev issue 01.13, 11-12
KIAMA, S.G, MAINA, J.N., BHATTACHARJEE, J., MWANGI, D.K., MACHARIA, R.G., WEYRAUCH, K.D. (2006) The morphology of the pectin oculi of the Ostrich, Struthio Camelus. Annals of Anatomy 188 (6), 519-528.