Postdoctoral and Research Fellows

Current Postdoctoral and Research fellows part of the UP ISMC

 

Dr Benjamim Mapossa

Postdoctoral fellow

Department: Chemical Engineering

Year: 1st

Project: Biodegradable polymer nanocomposite devices for mosquito control applications

Project description: The purpose of this project is to develop a new product by incorporating repellents into biodegradable polymer namely Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) to control the release rate of mosquito repellents from microporous polymer strands, e.g. repellent bracelets and anklets which can be used for longer periods of time for outdoor environments. Biodegradable polymers are used, as they have not a detrimental impact on the environment in the event that used products are discarded or littered after use.

Mentor: Prof Walter Focke

     

Dr Phanankosi Moyo

Postdoctoral fellow

Department: Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics; Division Biochemistry

Year: 2nd 

Project: Identification and validation of transmission blocking antimalarial compounds

Project description: The goal of the project is to identify and validate transmission-blocking antimalarial lead compounds against P. falciparum. This is focused on human-to-mosquito transmission (gametocytes, gametes, ookinetes, oocysts and sporozoites).

Mentor: Prof Lyn-Marie Birkholtz

     

Dr Janette Reader

Postdoctoral fellow

Department: Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics; Division Biochemistry

Year: 1st

Project: Identification and validation of transmission-blocking antimalarial compounds

Background: Janette is an infectious disease molecular biologist with more than 10 years’ experience in the field of malaria research, with published papers and a strong track record of research projects. She has been particularly interested in the transmissible stages of the parasite with her current main focus being phenotypic gametocytocidal drug screens, male exflagellation assays and standard membrane feeding assays (SMFA). 

Mentor: Prof Lyn-Marie Birkholtz

     

Dr Mariëtte van der Watt

Postdoctoral fellow

Department: Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics; Division Biochemistry

Year: 2nd 

Project: Identification and validation of antimalarial compounds with transmission-blocking capacity using robust and novel in vitro assays.

Project description: The project goal is to identify and validate transmission-blocking antimalarial lead compounds with potential strategy-specific or sex-specific gametocytocidal activity from novel chemical backgrounds. The aim is to consolidate these enabling technologies into a multidimensional platform to enable smart screening for compounds that interrupt the parasite life cycle by preventing transmission (sexual development).

Mentor: Prof Lyn-Marie Birkholtz


 

 

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