PRETORIA – A new University of Pretoria (UP) PhD graduate says she hopes her research – which uses computer science to develop robust representation methods for DNA – could enable early detection of diseases such as cancer.  

Dr Mpho Mokoatle received her PhD in Computer Science from the University of Pretoria (UP) on 4 September 2025, during UP’s Spring Graduations season.

She says her grandfather’s passing from prostate cancer in 2019 became the inspiration for her research. “He raised me as his own daughter, so losing him was devastating. After his diagnosis, I was determined to understand why he hadn’t responded to treatment. Within a few months of my studies, I discovered specific genetic mutations in prostate cancer, particularly prevalent in males of African ancestry, that lead to more aggressive forms of the disease. This personal experience transformed my grief into purpose.”

She hopes her PhD research can now help other people, by detecting disease earlier. “Life, in its essence, begins with DNA. By creating computational models that can ‘read’ genetic information more effectively, we can identify diseases before symptoms appear. This early detection capability could revolutionise healthcare by saving lives and reducing treatment costs.”

A breakthrough moment came when she developed a DNA representation model that outperformed DNABERT-6, a state-of-the-art model in genomics. “That was a big moment for me. It showed me that African researchers can make breakthroughs in fields like machine learning and healthcare. I hope my work inspires others to believe in the power of African science.”

Beginnings of a PhD

Dr Mokoatle was raised by her grandparents in the small town of Orkney in the North West. She dedicated her degree to her late grandfather, Jacob, whose cancer journey inspired her to pursue research that could transform healthcare.

“This accomplishment highlights how God and my ancestors have been faithful to me,” she says. “Standing on the shoulders of those who came before me, I am the first PhD in the entire clan. My lineage – Mohlakoana (Bahloakwana) is my paternal clan name, Mokoena (Bakoena) is my maternal clan name – has been placed on the map, and I am genuinely pleased and proud.”

Her early life, as one of seven siblings, was shaped by humble beginnings. “We didn’t have much, but my mom and grandmother both worked hard to provide for me. My mom got a job later on and paid for my first year at university. I attended Alabama Primary and Secondary, both public schools in a township. Those schools gave me the foundation I needed. Success isn’t determined by your background or attending prestigious schools. Even institutions with limited resources can equip you with the tools to succeed.”

She may now be a Doctor of Computer Science, but she had never used a computer before starting her university studies. “In my first year, I discovered coding, and something just clicked,” she says. “It was like learning a new language, and I realised I could use it to solve real problems. That discovery changed my life.”

Her journey was supported by sponsorships from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), IBM and Google, and mentorship from Professor Vukosi Marivate, a distinguished UP computer scientist and AI researcher, and Dr Darlington Mapiye, a statistician at Oxford University. “My mentors challenged me to push myself and reminded me that my work could change lives. I will always be grateful for that,” she says.

Looking ahead, she is determined to keep advancing machine learning for healthcare. “My vision is to work collaboratively with medical specialists, doctors and nurses to tackle complex healthcare challenges and improve patient outcomes. By partnering directly with healthcare professionals, I hope to develop AI solutions that are not only technically sophisticated but also genuinely useful in real-world medical settings.”

Her advice to students from small towns is simple but powerful: “Do not let your school’s limitations define your potential. I didn’t have access to a laptop until my first year at university. But I was determined to learn. Now I can write instructions that tell computers exactly what to do. Who would have thought a kid from a small town without access to technology would one day be programming complex machine-learning models?”

For Dr Mokoatle, her PhD is not only a personal victory but also a tribute. “This degree belongs to my family, my community, and especially my grandfather. I know he would have been proud. For me, this is just the beginning – I want my research to save lives.”