OUR TEAM

Principle Investigator

Thulani’s research focuses on understanding the evolution of microbial communities in the environment. His work has been published in the leading microbiome journals including The ISME….

Postdoctoral Associate 

Peter Kotsoana Montso is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Microbiology at Stellenbosch University. He completed his PhD in Biology, majoring in Molecular Microbiology….

Postdoctoral Associate 

Nonsikelelo Precious Mthethwa-Hlongwa’s research encompasses a diverse range of fields, including molecular biology, computational biology, environmental health…..

Postdoctoral Associate 

Dr. Girish is a postdoctoral fellow based at the Department of Microbiology and School for Data Sciences and Computational Thinking, Stellenbosch University, South Africa…….

Postdoctoral Associate 

Sam Leareng is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the African Microbiome Research Group. His interests are using molecular approaches to understand the effects of anthropogenic inputs on aquatic ecosystems……

Postdoctoral Associate 

Dillon Muzondiwa is a Postdoctoral research fellow in the African Microbiome Research Group, where he combines bioinformatics, data science, and microbiology to unravel the complexities of microbial ecosystems…….

Postdoctoral Associate 

Matteo Nello John Gregori, or Nello, is a post-doctoral researcher within the African Microbiome group. He is a passionate environmental microbiologist with experience in both terrestrial and marine environments…….

Postdoctoral Associate 

Zama is a South African postdoctoral research fellow currently contributing to the African Microbiome Project by looking at aerosol microbiome. She has over eight years of experience working with infectious diseases…….

PhD Candidate

Keith’s research interests lie at the intersection of ecology, bioinformatics and evolutionary biology. For his PhD, he aims to use in silico methods to characterise the niche breadth of desert ……

PhD Candidate

Runesu is a Marine Microbial Ecologist who focuses on bioinformatics. His research focus areas are bacterial genome comparisons, interrelationships in bacterial communities and the roles played by secondary……

PhD Candidate

JP’s areas of interest are microbial genomics and antibiotic resistance of ESKAPE pathogens from clinical and environmental settings. His PhD research focuses on evaluating the public health risk of……

PhD Candidate

Phillip’s research focuses on understanding the ecophysiology of soil Acidobacteriota across different soil habitats. The study aims to investigate whether the pangenomes of Acidobacteriota, derived from……

PhD Candidate

Mayi is a microbial oceanographer whose research interest is in understanding sophisticated mechanisms that a wide range microbes use to overcome environmental stressors. His current research focuses on the capacity and ability……

PhD Candidate

Nosipho’s research is aimed at advancing current insights regarding the functional gene repertoire of microbiomes in the South Atlantic Ocean. Specifically, Nosipho is interested in identifying carotenoid……

PhD Candidate

Nombuso is interested in understanding the relationship between gut and cutaneous microbiota in South African Individuals. Her research focuses on investigating the interaction between skin and gut microbiota……

PhD Candidate

Benjamin is investigating marine microbial communities and organic matter profiles of pristine environments in the Southern Ocean. This includes the impact of anthropogenic pollutants on biogeochemical cycling……

PhD Candidate

Thato is a current PhD candidate in Microbiology, holding an MSc in Biochemistry, with a strong academic foundation in biochemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology…….

MSc Honours Student

Isabella is a microbiologist with a background in molecular biology and biotechnology. She has a keen interest in the intersection between human health, microbial ecology and virology. Her BSc Honours in Microbiology focused on…….

MSc Honours Student

Nobuhle is passionate about using integrative approaches, such as molecular techniques and bioinformatics, to understand complex biological data. She is driven by a belief in the power of science to inform……

MSc Honours Student

Louis is a Molecular Biologist with a background in microbiology and biochemistry, currently pursuing his MSc in Microbiology. His Honour’s research centered on the gut microbiome……

MSc Honours Student

Natalie is currently pursuing an MSc focused on investigating antibiotic resistance gene expression across wastewater and freshwater systems in South Africa. Her research integrates molecular……

MSc Honours Student

As a researcher with a keen interest in parasitology, microbiome interactions, and public health, Alistair is passionate about understanding how gastrointestinal parasites affect human and animal health……

MSc Honours Student

Her research is investigates how moving from informal to formal housing affects health outcomes in children under five years old in South Africa. Jessie’s work specifically aims to develop a predictive……

MSc Honours Student

Her research centres on wastewater-based genomic surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across multiple African countries. involves collecting wastewater from diverse sites, then applying metagenomics and bioinformatics to characterise resistome diversity….

Honours student

Sahil has a BSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology; as well as experience as an agricultural transformation consultant, laboratory sales and data administrator, and as a laboratory technician and high school biology……

Honours student

Rapelang is a BSc Biotechnology graduate currently pursuing an Honours degree in Microbiology. Her research focuses on detecting and identifying Entamoeba histolytica and related species in children under five living in informal settlements……

Honours student

Vhulenda is currently an Honours student in Microbiology, with a background in Biochemistry and Microbiology. Her research focuses on assessing the impact of wastewater inputs on South African freshwater microbiomes……

Honours student

Laa’iqah is currently pursuing her honours in Microbiology at Stellenbosch University, and doing her research project within the African Microbiome Group. She holds a BSc in Molecular biology and biotechnology…….