Meet the team

Anja brings a strong foundation in vertebrate biology, holding a Master’s in Zoology and deep experience in phylogenetics, taxonomy, and zoonotic disease research. She thrives at the intersection of science and impact, channeling her passion for conservation genomics into practical solutions. At DIPLOMICS, Anja leads from the lab bench, coordinating genomics training and managing the day-to-day operations of the training lab. As a lead scientist on the 1KSA project, she contributes to decoding South Africa’s biodiversity, one genome at a time.

Carron holds a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Cape Town and is currently pursuing her PhD in Epidemiology at the University of KwaZulu Natal. At DIPLOMICS, she serves as a Business Analyst, connecting the dots across projects, people, and platforms. With a sharp eye for systems and strategy, Carron supports the entire team in delivering coordinated, high-impact work across the national infrastructure.

Christina is a bioinformatician from Kirkwood in the Eastern Cape with a deep-rooted passion for genome assembly and sequencing technologies. She earned her PhD from Stellenbosch University, where she specialised in Oxford Nanopore Technologies, whole genome assembly, and tick resistance research. At DIPLOMICS, she works at the forefront of biodiversity genomics, assembling genomes of native species and driving data analysis that reveals the stories encoded in DNA. Christina thrives on building better workflows, unravelling complex pipelines, and making sense of big genomic datasets.

Jeanne holds a PhD in Biotechnology with a research focus on plant defence responses to foliar pathogens, and a broader interest in pathogen biology. She brings hands on experience in molecular biology and next-generation sequencing service delivery, always aiming to translate cutting-edge science into practical outcomes. At DIPLOMICS, Jeanne drives the smooth execution of genomics projects and ensures that data flows where and how it should - accurately, efficiently, and with purpose.

Liam’s proteomics journey began nearly 20 years ago at the National Physical Laboratory in the UK. After completing his PhD at the University of Cape Town and a postdoctoral fellowship at the then K-RITH (now AHRI) in Durban, he joined CPGR to help shape its proteomics platform. Since 2015, he has worked at the intersection of service delivery and applied research, championing the role of proteomics in solving real world challenges. At DIPLOMICS, Liam continues to expand the reach of proteomics, bringing it into mainstream applications with the power to drive meaningful societal change.

Driven by curiosity and grounded in precision, Dr Mhlekazi Molatoli is a PhD fellow and scientist with a passion for sequencing science. She brings deep expertise in next generation sequencing, Sanger sequencing, and molecular techniques, applying and developing bioinformatics pipelines to translate raw data into real insight. With experience spanning clinical and basic research, her focus areas include HIV, drug resistance, and forensic medicine. At DIPLOMICS, she helps bridge the lab and the clinic, turning data into tools for impact.

Dr Patricia Swart thrives on enabling others to do their best science. With a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Cape Town and a postdoctoral tenure at Stellenbosch University’s Neuropsychiatric Genetics Group, she brings a powerful blend of lab and bioinformatics expertise to the table. At DIPLOMICS, Trish leads bioinformatics coordination across the network, driving data strategy, managing multi omics integration, and guiding a team of bioinformaticians through CLARITY, our national bioinformatics marketplace. She brings sharp technical insight and deep experience in multi-stakeholder project management, ensuring researchers across South Africa get the support they need to turn data into discovery.

Dr Shane Murray brings over 25 years of expertise in plant molecular biology, research leadership, and academic training to her role as Genomics Coordinator at DIPLOMICS. She holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and has worked across South Africa’s leading institutions, including the Agricultural Research Council, UCT, and CPGR. Today, Shane leads the national 1KSA project and collaborates closely with genomics partner labs across the DIPLOMICS network. She thrives on turning big ideas into meaningful research, and her passion for biodiversity and mentorship sits at the heart of every project she touches.

As a proteomics and structural biology scientist, Dr Sindisiwe Buthelezi investigates life’s molecular foundations, translating fundamental discoveries into real-world impact. Her work is rooted in a drive to create meaningful change through science, and she brings this same energy to mentoring young scientists. At DIPLOMICS, she contributes to building a stronger research ecosystem through both her expertise and her commitment to inclusive scientific growth. Outside the lab, Sindisiwe embraces her introverted nature with books, films, and the occasional hike.

Dr Tim Newman brings over 15 years of experience in behavioural and psychiatric genetics, with a research focus on gene–environment interactions in both human and primate models. A passionate advocate for field-based science, Tim has also contributed to primate research through innovative video capture methods.

Since relocating to South Africa in 2006, he has played a key role in shaping the National System of Innovation, driving health biotechnology and Omics infrastructure to advance South Africa’s Bio economy strategy. As Director of DIPLOMICS, Tim leads with vision, experience, and a deep commitment to building scientific capacity that serves both people and planet.