About
Summary
A young Human Geneticist currently playing a part in piecing together the puzzle that is Parkinson’s disease (PD).
My recently completed PhD focused on investigating the role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the susceptibility to developing PD, and involved the next-generation sequencing analysis of whole mitochondrial genomes.
As the first study to explore mtDNA variation and copy number in a Sub-Saharan African (SSA) PD context, also undertaking the largest genetic screening of SSA PD cases to date, my research has made a small but important contribution towards eliminating the Eurocentric bias currently present in the PD Genetics field.
With a keen interest in understudied populations and the ultimate goal to uncover the genetic roots of disorders beyond PD, I am now focusing on expanding my computational skill set from mitochondrial- to whole-genome sequencing analyses in individuals from diverse genetic backgrounds.
Positions
Postdoctoral researcher in the Parkinson's Disease Research Group Jan 2022 -
Education
Stellenbosch University 2018 - 2022
Field of study: Human Genetics
Degree: PhD
Dissertation Title: “Investigating Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Variation and Copy Number in Individuals of African Ancestry Living with Parkinson’s Disease”
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa 2017 - 2017
Field of study: Genetics
Degree: BSc (Honours)
Summa cum laude
Awarded:
- UKZN Zac Yacoob Scholarship (Awarded to the student deemed to be the single best Honours-level student in the entire University)
- UKZN Maryam Babangida Scholarship (Awarded to the best female student, proceeding from undergraduate to Honours study)
- UKZN Inqaba Biotec Genetics Prize (Best Honours Genetics Student)
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) 2014 - 2016
Field of study: Genetics and Microbiology
Degree: BSc
Summa cum laude
Awarded:
- UKZN Merck Microbiology Prize (Best Third Year Microbiology Student)
- UKZN Merck Genetics Prize Best (Best Third Year Genetics Student)
Skills
• Mitochondrial DNA Next Generation Sequencing (mtDNA NGS)
• Sanger Sequencing
• Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA)
• Droplet Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (ddPCR)
• Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)
• RNA-Sequencing
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
• High Resolution Melt (HRM)