Internships

Akanyang is a dedicated and meticulous professional with extensive laboratory experience and strong technical skills, gained through hands-on work in proteomics and genomics.

This includes sample preparation, DNA/RNA extraction, RT PCR, microarrays, and Next-Generation Sequencing, developed during his internship at CPGR and academic training at CPUT.

He has successfully completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Biotechnology and holds an Advanced Diploma in Biotechnology, equipping him with a strong foundation in laboratory workflows, quality control, and research methodologies. Akanyang is eager to contribute to scientific research and laboratory operations while continuing to develop his technical and professional skills.

Jaco Visagie is a Master’s candidate in Biochemistry at North West University and a DIPLOMICS intern based at the Centre for Human Metabolomics.

He has a strong background in molecular biology and advanced cell culture techniques, which he aims to apply in investigating disease mechanisms at the cellular level.

As an intern for the Nngwe Project, he contributes to multidisciplinary efforts aimed at improving patient diagnosis and exploring potential therapeutic strategies for rare and undiagnosed diseases in South Africa.

Kamogelo Mmotla is a DIPLOMICS intern based at the Centre for Human Metabolomics at North West University. He holds an MSc in Biochemistry, where his research focused on metabolomic profiling of microbial interactions using advanced analytical techniques. He has experience with mass spectrometry (LC-MS, GC MS),automated liquid handling systems, and bioinformatics tools for metabolomics data analysis. He has published several papers within the field of metabolomics and microbial biochemistry, contributing to the growing body of knowledge in this discipline. With a strong foundation in biochemistry and analytical sciences, he is passionate about contributing to health sciences and advancing human health, particularly in the area of rare diseases, through metabolomics-driven research, data analysis, and the application of innovative technologies to better understand complex biological systems.

Krupa Daya is the 1KSA Intern for the DIPLOMICS programme and is currently completing her MSc in Molecular Biology at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS). She has an academic background in microbiology, botany, clinical microbiology, infectious diseases, and genomics, with training in both wet lab and dry lab techniques. As the 1KSA intern through the DIPLOMICS programme, she is gaining experience in sequencing technologies while strengthening her skills in bioinformatics, computational pipelines, and coding. Her work reflects a commitment to advancing genomic research through the integration of biology and data science.

Lesiba Meshack Makgai is a detail-oriented Clinical Research Scientist with a strong interest in genomics, bringing extensive experience in molecular biology, pharmacogenetics, and clinical research.

He has hands-on experience in genomic workflows, including DNA/RNA extraction, quality control procedures, qPCR, cDNA synthesis, and Next Generation Sequencing using both Oxford Nanopore and lllumina platforms, gained through academic training and genomics projects at CPGR.

He holds a BSc in Molecular and Life Sciences, BSc Honours in Biochemistry, a Master's in Clinical Pharmacology, and is currently completing a PhD in Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Cape Town.

I am a science enthusiast, interested in molecular biology and ecology. I aim to bridge the gap between field-based zoology and high resolution molecular techniques, exploring environmental DNA and population genetics to address complex conservation challenges. I obtained a BSc in University of Fort Hare in 2022, majoring in Microbiology and Zoology. In 2023, I obtained my BSc Honours in Zoology under the mentorship of Dr C.A Andrews and Dr C.T Tambling. I have completed my MSc in Zoology at the University of Fort Hare under the supervision of Dr C.A Andrews and Dr W.G Coetzer.

Mia van der Merwe is a DIPLOMICS intern working at the Genomics Platform at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). She holds a BSc in genetics and human anatomy and physiology from UCT as well as an Honours degree in Molecular Biology and Human Genetics from Stellenbosch University.

With a strong interest in genomics and next generation sequencing, Mia is gaining hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques and genomics workflows to strengthen her path toward a career in genomic research and diagnostics. Her background includes PCR, gel electrophoresis, protein purification, sterile culturing, sequencing preparation, and exposure to bioinformatics analysis.

Sabreen Parker-Mansoor is a Training and Marketing Intern at the Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research (CPGR). She holds an MSc in Medical Bioscience, with a background in Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics from the University of Cape Town. Her experience includes public health research, data analysis, molecular techniques, and academic tutoring. At DIPLOMICS, she supports genomics training programmes, outreach initiatives, and science communication efforts. She is passionate about expanding access to genomics education and strengthening collaborative scientific networks across Africa.

Stacey Pamplin is a DIPLOMICS intern based at the Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics, University of the Western Cape. She holds a BSc. (Hons) in Biotechnology and recently completed her MSc., which focused on the heterologous expression of biosynthetic gene clusters in bacteria. Her current research continues to investigate bacterial biosynthesis pathways through metabolomic and proteomic approaches. Stacey is skilled in protein characterisation, mass spectrometry, and molecular biology workflows but is eager to expand her expertise in omics-based technologies. She is passionate about advancing research that explores how microbes can be harnessed to develop innovative solutions addressing health and environmental challenges.

Nomfundo Sikhakhane graduated with a BHSc degree in Biomedical Sciences at WITS in 2022. She then joined the COVID-19 Host Genetics group at Stellenbosch University to complete her BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology.

Her research investigated the role of genetic variants in the immune complement pathway in the susceptibility to severe COVID-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). In 2024, she returned to Stellenbosch University to pursue an MSc in Human Genetics, expanding her Honours research by incorporating immunological investigations to better understand the complement system’s involvement in extreme SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes such as severe COVID-19, MIS-C, and Long COVID.

I am a DIPLOMICS intern currently working at the Aquatic Genomics Research Platform at
the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) in Makhanda, Eastern Cape.
I hold an MSc in Zoology, where my research focused on DNA barcoding of estuarine macroinvertebrates along the Eastern Cape to develop a genetic reference library and provide a baseline for future biodiversity assessments that make use of environmental DNA metabarcoding. I also have experience in molecular disease epidemiology, gained during my time as a Geneticist Intern at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), where I studied different vectors and strains of malaria causing haemoparasites and other vectors and vector-borne diseases.

I have always been driven by a curiosity to understand the world through the lens of molecular interactions and biological processes. I am excited about my journey at SAIAB, as I believe it will further refine my molecular biology skills, expose me to new areas of research, and equip me with advanced techniques that will broaden my career opportunities.