Principal Investigator

Senamile Seyama is a PhD candidate in Microbiology at Stellenbosch University whose research focuses on examining the complex airborne microbial communities around wastewater treatment plants and their potential effects on respiratory health. By characterizing the composition, diversity, viability, and functional activity of these bioaerosol communities, she aims to understand how exposure to airborne microorganisms contributes to allergies and respiratory diseases. Ultimately, her research seeks to generate evidence to inform risk assessment, occupational health policies, and targeted interventions that protect wastewater workers and surrounding communities from bioaerosol-related health hazards.

Her molecular biology skills include, but are not limited to DNA extraction, DNA quantification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), agarose gel electrophoresis, sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Western blotting, protein quantification, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and bacterial culture.