“African culture has relied on herbal remedies as a primary source of healthcare for centuries – that alone gives me confidence that natural products from Africa could contribute immensely within mainstream healthcare systems,” says Dr Phanankosi Moyo, whose research efforts are focused on fighting the scourge of antimicrobial resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health challenge that is responsible for about 700 000 deaths annually. If left unchecked, the problem will worsen, with projections of over 10 million fatalities annually by 2050.

With a high burden of infectious diseases, Africa will suffer significantly from this pending post-antimicrobial era. It is the work of scientists such as Dr Phanankosi Moyo, a senior postdoctoral fellow in the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Department of Chemistry, that seeks to reverse these projections by tapping into a readily available resource on the continent – plants with medicinal properties.

“My work contributes to global efforts to remedy the challenges of AMR by exploring African plant biomes in search of novel antimicrobial agents and resistance-reversing compounds that can allow the continuous use of available antibiotics, as well as the re-use of old antibiotics that have been rendered ineffective by AMR,” Dr Moyo explains. 

His efforts and research outputs have earned him a National Research Foundation (NRF) rating, which he says is the result of the opportunities and support that he has received from his PhD committee and collaborators.

“On a personal level, the NRF rating is a proud moment for me,” he says. “It is evidence of the quality of our research and the impact it is making in the field of drug discovery. As a UP academic, it challenges me to continue striving for excellence in contributing towards the University’s vision to be a leading research‐intensive university in Africa that produces quality and impactful research.”

Dr Moyo completed a PhD in Biochemistry at UP in 2017 before pursuing two postdoctoral fellowships funded by UP’s Institute of Sustainable Malaria Control and the Department of Science and Innovation/NRF SARChI Chair in Sustainable Malaria Control.

“During this period, my research was dedicated to the discovery of antimalarial drugs from natural products, specifically targeting the asexual and sexual stages of the malaria parasite,” he says.

His interest in this field of study was sparked during his first-year lectures in microbiology at the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where he completed his first qualification, a BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Biology and Biochemistry.

“I was intrigued by the work of eminent scientists like Louis Pasteur, Joseph Lister and Robert Koch, among others, and the positive impact that their work had on the discipline of microbiology and humanity at large. Since then, I’ve immersed myself in applied research driven by the desire to use my knowledge and skills to provide solutions to some of the challenges affecting humanity. This ambition is what led me to work in the drug discovery field. 

“Natural products are an extensive source of diverse chemical compounds with novel biological targets and mode-of-action. These qualities have made natural products a significant component of the global pharmaceutical arsenal, with over half of the currently available medicinal drugs having been either derived from a natural source or been inspired by natural compounds. This is the main reason that I have been drawn to work on natural products over the years.

“Additional inspiration to work on natural products has been drawn from my own cultural experiences and practices. I come from an African culture which has traditionally relied on herbal remedies as a primary source of healthcare for centuries. That alone gives me confidence that natural products, particularly those from Africa, stand to contribute immensely within mainstream healthcare systems.”

In addition to enhancing public health and making significant contributions to science, Dr Moyo says he enjoys the intellectual and academic rigour that comes with being a researcher.

“Research is different from a routine job. Most of the work I do every day is new and mentally engaging and challenging. I appreciate being challenged, either personally or by my colleagues, as this constantly pushes me beyond my comfort zone and allows me to realise my full potential.

“I enjoy and treasure my intellectual independence as a scholar, as opposed to being in a job where I am constantly having to follow routine procedures and instructions. Ultimately, the discovery of active compounds is always a fulfilling outcome of my work. It really makes the challenges that come with the job and the long working hours a worthwhile effort.”