BIO26 Congress Local Organising Committee
Prof Rosemary Dorrington
LOC Chair
Dept of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Rhodes University
Prof Dorrington leads the SA/UK Antimicrobial Drug Discovery Hub hosted by Rhodes University and her research focus is on marine natural products drug discovery.
Prof Stephanie Burton
Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria
Prof Burton is Professor in Biochemistry at the University of Pretoria and the co-chair of the national organising committee for the S20 Science Forum to be held in association with the G20 Summit. She is leading and coordinating several national projects on postgraduate training, capacity development, and mentoring for early career academics on behalf of Universities South Africa.
Prof Janice Limson
Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University
Prof Limson is the Director of the Biotechnology Innovation Centre at Rhodes University, and holds an SA Research Chair in Biotechnology Innovation & Engagement. Her research interests include biosensors, paper-based diagnostics, and engaged research.
Prof Jo Dames
Dept of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Rhodes University
Prof Dames is Dean of the Science Faculty, Rhodes University, and leads the Mycorrhizal Research Laboratory at the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics. Her research is focused on soil, plant, and microbe interactions, particularly the symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi.
Prof Brett Pletschke
Dept of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Rhodes University
Prof Pletschke leads the Rhodes University node of the Industrial Biocatalysis Hub hosted by the CSIR. His research focus is on the use of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) to generate bioproducts for the bioeconomy.
Prof. Aileen Boshoff
Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University
Dr Boshoff is a Associate Professor of Biotechnology in the Biotechnology Innovation Centre at Rhodes University. Her research focuses on the study of molecular chaperones from parasitic systems, particularly Trypanosoma brucei and Plasmodium falciparum.
Associate Prof. Earl Prinsloo
Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University
Prof Prinsloo is an Associate Professor and Lecturer in Biotechnology at the Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University. His research focuses on understanding mammalian cell differentiation and application of this knowledge to tissue engineering using novel biomaterials and additive manufacturing (Bioprinting) systems.
Dr Ronen Fogel
Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University
Dr Fogel co-leads the BIOSENs Research Group, which hosts the Paper-based Diagnostics Node of the South African Department of Science and Innovation’s Nano-Micro Manufacturing Facility. His research interests are centred on the development of low-cost diagnostics technologies.
Dr Ellen Ledwaba
Dept of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Rhodes University
Dr Ledwaba is a Lecturer in Microbiology at Rhodes University, and her research focuses on One Health approaches to understanding bacterial pathogenesis, antimicrobial resistance, and the transmission dynamics of infectious pathogens.
Dr Nolonwabo Nontongana
Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare.
Dr Nontongana is the Deputy Director of the SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre and a Lecturer in Microbiology at the University of Fort Hare. She conducts research on infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance, focusing on microbial water quality monitoring within the context of One Health.
Ms Roxanne Higgitt
LOC Coordinator
Roxanne is a molecular biologist and experienced research project coordinator with a strong background in managing a large, multi-institutional collaboration in the field of antimicrobial drug discovery research.
Ms Busi Goba
LOC Finance Administrator
Busi is a senior accounts manager for the SA/UK Antimicrobial Drug Discovery Hub at Rhodes University. She brings extensive experience in the financial administration of research grants.
Ms Nqobile Tembe
LOC Marketing Manager
Nqobile is a strategic communication professional focused on creating and implementing effective communication strategies that align with organisational goals. She currently works with the Advancing Early Career Researchers and Scholars (AECRS) Programme at Universities South Africa (USAf).