Dr. Bernard Munge

Areas of Expertise

• Development of nanostructured chemical and biological sensors for applications in biomedical diagnostics and environmental monitoring
• Ultrasensitive immunosensor arrays for early detection of cancer biomarker proteins and disease monitoring using nanotechnology

Education

• B.S. in chemistry, University of Nairobi (1992)
• M.S. in chemistry, University of Nairobi (1994)
• Ph.D., chemistry, University of Connecticut (2003)

View My CV

What's My Why?

My research focused on the development of nanomaterials-based sensors for applications in biomedical diagnostic and environmental monitoring is aimed at creating opportunities for undergraduates to gain research experience to better prepare them for careers in biomedical research/industry and/or graduate/medical school and other health-related fields. Students gain experience in many bioanalytical techniques that are applied to synthesize nanoparticles, fabricate the immunosensors/chemical sensors, characterize and analyze the biosensor chemistry. These include voltammetry, UV-Vis spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance, electrochemiluminescence, screen printing (fabrication), quartz crystal microbalance, spectro-electrochemistry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and surface chemistry techniques.

Professional Experience

In addition to my role at Salve, I also live the mercy mission as a co-founder and chair of Byfaith Orphan Center, a nonprofit organization registered in Rhode Island that seeks to physically, emotionally and spiritually support orphaned children in Kenya. These orphans are supported with educational needs, including school fees/tuition, school supplies, food, clothes, uniforms, shoes, books and basic health care needs (hospital visits and medications). Currently, we have 110 students from elementary school to college level. 

Selected Publications

Bernard S. Munge, Thomas Stracensky*, Kathleen Gamez*, Dimitri DiBiase*, James F. Rusling. Multiplex Immunosensor Arrays for Electrochemical Detection of Cancer Biomarker Proteins. Electroanalysis 2016, (11):2644-2658

Rusling, J., Munge, B. S., Sardesai, N.; Malhotra, R., Chikkaveeraiah, B. Nanoscience-Based Electrochemical Sensors and Arrays for Detection of Cancer Biomarker Proteins. In Nanobioelectrochemistry. Crespilho, F. N. editor, Springer Heidelberg, New York, Dordrecht, London, 2012; pp. 1-26.

Malhotra, R., Patel, V., Chikkaveeraiah, B. V., Munge, B. S., Cheong, S. C., Zain, R. B., Abraham, M, T., Dey, D. K., Gutkind, J. S., Rusling, J. F. Ultrasensitive Detection of Cancer Biomarkers in the Clinic by Use of a Nanostructured Microfluidic Array. Anal. Chem., 2012, 84, 6249–6255.

Bernard S. Munge, Amy L. Coffey*, Jaimee M. Doucette*, Brian K. Somba, Ruchika Malhotra, Vyomesh Patel, J. Silvio Gutkind, James F. Rusling “Nanostructured Immunosensor for Attomolar Detection of Cancer Biomarker Interleukin-8 Using Massively Labeled Superparamagnetic Particles” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011 50, 7915-7918

Bernard S. Munge, Jacqueline Fisher*, Lines N. Millord*, Colleen E. Krause*, Richard S. Dowd*, James F. Rusling, “Sensitive Electrochemical Immunosensor for Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 based on Single-wall Carbon Nanotubes” Analyst, 2010, 135, 1345–1350.