Overview and Research Interests
I am a chemist with interdisciplinary research experience and a passionate interest in infectious diseases. My skills range from organic synthesis and fluorescence microscopy to chemical proteomics and mammalian tissue culture.
Currently, I am a Junior Research Fellow in Chemical Biology at the Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D) led by Professor Kelly Chibale at the University of Cape Town (UCT). I conduct research in medicinal chemistry and chemical biology aspects of malaria and tuberculosis drug discovery. This position is funded by the Carnegie Developing Emerging Academic Leaders (DEAL) programme and allows me to make a tangible contribution to science and healthcare on the African continent.
Postdoctoral fellowship in medicinal chemistry (2019-2020)
For the past two years, I was a postdoctoral medicinal chemist at the Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D) at UCT. I designed and synthesised potential drug leads for malaria through an integrated medicinal chemistry approach, as part of a project that was jointly funded by the Strategic Health Innovation Partnerships (SHIP) of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV).
Postdoctoral fellowship in molecular and cell biology (2017-2018)
From 2017-2018, I was a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Professor Janet Hapgood in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at UCT. My work focused on HIV acquisition in the context of steroid receptors and hormonal contraceptives. I developed expertise in mammalian tissue culture in BSLII and BSLII+ facilities, metabolite profiling, in silico molecular docking and immunofluorescence. As a chemist, I brought a unique small-molecule approach to the group.
Other responsibilities included chairing a weekly seminar series for postgraduate students and being the postdoctoral representative on the departmental health and safety and postgraduate committees.
Postgraduate education (2011-2016)
I completed my BSc(Hons), specialising in chemistry, at the University of Cape Town. In 2016, I completed my doctoral thesis under the supervision of Professor Timothy Egan and Professor Roger Hunter in the Department of Chemistry at UCT. My thesis contributed new insights to the mechanism of action of two historically-important antimalarials, quinine and chloroquine, through live-cell imaging and chemical proteomics. During this time, I was a tutor and demonstrator for undergraduate chemistry courses and was strongly involved with the Department of Chemistry’s outreach programme.
I am a member of the South African Chemical Institute (SACI) and a full member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), and have actively served on the joint local committee of these professional associations since 2014.
Currently, I am a Junior Research Fellow in Chemical Biology at the Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D) led by Professor Kelly Chibale at the University of Cape Town (UCT). I conduct research in medicinal chemistry and chemical biology aspects of malaria and tuberculosis drug discovery. This position is funded by the Carnegie Developing Emerging Academic Leaders (DEAL) programme and allows me to make a tangible contribution to science and healthcare on the African continent.
Postdoctoral fellowship in medicinal chemistry (2019-2020)
For the past two years, I was a postdoctoral medicinal chemist at the Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D) at UCT. I designed and synthesised potential drug leads for malaria through an integrated medicinal chemistry approach, as part of a project that was jointly funded by the Strategic Health Innovation Partnerships (SHIP) of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV).
Postdoctoral fellowship in molecular and cell biology (2017-2018)
From 2017-2018, I was a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Professor Janet Hapgood in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at UCT. My work focused on HIV acquisition in the context of steroid receptors and hormonal contraceptives. I developed expertise in mammalian tissue culture in BSLII and BSLII+ facilities, metabolite profiling, in silico molecular docking and immunofluorescence. As a chemist, I brought a unique small-molecule approach to the group.
Other responsibilities included chairing a weekly seminar series for postgraduate students and being the postdoctoral representative on the departmental health and safety and postgraduate committees.
Postgraduate education (2011-2016)
I completed my BSc(Hons), specialising in chemistry, at the University of Cape Town. In 2016, I completed my doctoral thesis under the supervision of Professor Timothy Egan and Professor Roger Hunter in the Department of Chemistry at UCT. My thesis contributed new insights to the mechanism of action of two historically-important antimalarials, quinine and chloroquine, through live-cell imaging and chemical proteomics. During this time, I was a tutor and demonstrator for undergraduate chemistry courses and was strongly involved with the Department of Chemistry’s outreach programme.
I am a member of the South African Chemical Institute (SACI) and a full member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), and have actively served on the joint local committee of these professional associations since 2014.