Dr Mluleki Luvuno

Dr Mluleki Luvuno

Designation: Human Physiology Lecturer

Tel: 031 260 7597

Email: LuvunoM@ukzn.ac.za

Campus: Westville, F-Block, Room F2-412

Research interests:

Endocrinology
Nutrition and metabolism
Prediabetes and diabetes mellitus
Neuroscience diseases and disorders
Behavioural neuroscience
Applied exercise

Biosketch:

Dr Mluleki Luvuno was appointed as a lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in the latter half of 2021. He graduated with a Bachelor of Medical Science majoring in Human Physiology and Human Anatomy at UKZN in 2014 and completed his Honours in Medical Sciences (Physiology) degree in 2015. In 2017, his Master’s study was converted into a PhD study where he developed and characterised an animal model for prediabetes.


After obtaining his PhD qualification in 2020, Dr Luvuno joined UKZN as a postdoctoral fellow. During his time as a postdoctoral fellow, he has published his research work in reputable journals, co-supervised and mentored some postgraduate students, and involved himself in undergraduate teaching and learning activities within the Department of Physiology. He is actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and learning.


Dr Luvuno is also involved in the supervision of postgraduate research projects. His research interests are in endocrinology, nutrition and metabolism, diabetes, neuroscience, behavioural neuroscience, and applied exercise fields of research. To further diversify himself, he is currently working on evaluating brain tumour-induced psychiatric behaviour in pre-stressed animals and the implications of the Alzheimer-like symptoms study project.

Recent publications:

  1. Luvuno, M., Khathi, A. & Mabandla, M.V. Diet-induced prediabetes: effects of exercise treatment on risk factors for cardiovascular complications. Nutr Metab (Lond) 18, 45 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-021-00573-0
  2. Luvuno, M., Khathi, A. & Mabandla, M.V. The effects of exercise treatment on learning and memory ability, and cognitive performance in diet-induced prediabetes animals. Sci Rep 10, 15048 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72098-0
  3. Luvuno M, Khathi A, Mabandla MV. Diet-induced prediabetes: effects on oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers as agents for vascular complications in renal function. PONTE. DOI: 10.21506/j.ponte.2019.2.9
  4. Luvuno M, Khathi A, Mabandla MV (2018). Voluntary ingestion of a high-fat high-carbohydrate diet: a model for prediabetes. PONTE http://dx.doi.org/10.21506/j.ponte.2018.5.11
  5. Luvuno M, Mbongwa HP, Khathi A. The effects of Syzygium aromaticum-derived triterpenes on gastrointestinal ghrelin expression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. African Journal of African Traditional, complementary and Alternative Medicines. 13(4): 8-14