Biography

My passion for biological and health sciences began in high school as I learnt various concepts in my favourite subject, Life Sciences. Ever since then, I have always been interested in research, as well as coming up with innovative ideas and solutions that can positively contribute to the medical sciences field. Therefore, I studied B.Sc Medical Sciences (majored in Genetics and Anatomy) at the University of Pretoria. In order to advance my scientific knowledge and to gain research skills, I completed a degree in BS.c Honours in Life Sciences with specialization in Genetics at the University of South Africa. I am currently a Medical Virology M.Sc student in the  Biosurveillance and Ecology of Emerging Zoonoses research group at the University of Pretoria Centre for Viral Zoonoses. Moreover, I intend to further my studies to PhD level and to subsequently apply my scientific knowledge and skills in a health research institution.

Discipline/s

Medical Virology

Research description

Biosurveillance for paramyxoviruses in bats and non-volant small mammals from Mozambique

Bats and non-volant small mammals have been implicated with emerging infectious diseases and are recognized as the reservoir hosts of various viruses. The Paramyxovirdae family has high bat- and rodent-borne viral diversity, mostly with unknown zoonotic potential. This family comprises single-stranded RNA viruses with a wide host range, including the henipaviruses that have caused fatal outbreaks in pigs, horses and humans. Additionally, a potentially zoonotic Henipavirus-related virus was detected in rodents in China, and it is the suspect aetiological agent of three human fatalities. Given the vast diversity of novel paramyxoviruses, inclusive host range and zoonotic nature of some of these viruses, biosurveillance is imperative as high viral diversity increases the chances of zoonotic strains present and leads to a higher spill-over risk to other susceptible species, including humans. Limited paramyxovirus biosurveillance has been conducted in wildlife species from Southern Africa. To date, only one study reported on the presence of novel paramyxoviruses in a rodent from Mozambique and none regarding  Mozambican bats. Therefore, this study aims to determine the presence and diversity of paramyxoviruses in bats and non-volant small mammals collected in and around the Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique.

Orchid ID

Research gate