Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics

Clinical Mycobacteriology and Epidemiology (CLIME) Group

Members

Grant Theron
Principal investigator
Email: gtheron@sun.ac.za

Grant is interested in improving how patients with TB or drug-resistant TB are diagnosed, enhancing our understanding of TB transmission, and investigating whether the microbiome has any role in TB pathogenesis. Grant trained at the University of Cape Town and University College London. When he isn't thinking about TB, he is probably on Table Mountain.

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Post-doctoral fellows and research students:

Rebecca Tadokera
Research Scientist
Email: rebec@sun.ac.za

Rebecca ‘s research interests lie in understanding the molecular epidemiology of TB as well as improving the diagnosis of drug resistant, drug sensitive and latent tuberculosis using novel molecular tools. Rebecca is an amateur runner and is an avid reader of non-fiction books.

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Hridesh Mishra
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Email: hrideshkmishra@gmail.com

Hridesh is investigating the infectiousness of TB patients and the aerobiology of M. tuberculosis. Hridesh is a disciplined Ashtanga yoga practitioner, he loves watching stand-up comedy shows, movies and series.

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Charissa Naidoo
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Email: ccnaidoo@sun.ac.za

Charissa is leading the study of the microbiome and TB, specifically the impact of long-term TB treatment on the microbiome, amongst other aspects. Charissa makes a mean biryani!”

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Byron Reeve
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Email: byronreeve@sun.ac.za

Byron is leading the evaluation of several new TB diagnostic, where he is measuring their impact in different settings. Byron loves road running and competing in half marathon races. When he's not running, he's playing video games.

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Rouxjeane Venter
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Email: rouxjeane@sun.ac.za

Rouxjeane’s research focuses on understanding the infectiousness of TB patients and exploring novel diagnostic approaches for drug-resistant TB. Outside of academia she spends most of her time at the bouldering gym or dancing.

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 Suventha Moodley
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Email: suventha@gmail.com

Suventha is involved in the study of the microbiome and TB. Sue loves making her own jewellery and studying makeup tutorials

Anna Ojo
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Email: annaojo@sun.ac.za

Anna's research focuses on tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics, specifically to qualify the performance of a point-of-care serological triage test for active TB. Anna loves reading fiction novels and autobiographies.

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Shima Abdulgader
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Email: sabdulgader@sun.ac.za

Shima is working on the validation of novel and existing point of care diagnostics assays for the prediction of incipient TB. When Shima is not working, she enjoys cooking and spending quality time with her family.

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Georgina Nyawo
PhD student
Email: georginan@sun.ac.za

Georgina is studying the microbiome in the context of extra-pulmonary TB, as well as several other areas. Georgina loves to sing... at church, karaoke, in the lab, everywhere…

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Zama Mahlobo
PhD student
Email: pzamah@sun.ac.za
Zama is working on investigating the infectiousness of TB patients and the factors associated with the airborne survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Zama likes playing pool and her favorite TV shows are "Family guy" and "American dad".

Brigitta Derendinger
PhD student and Technical Officer
Email: brigitta@sun.ac.za

Brigitta is working on improving the diagnosis of drug-resistant TB by optimising and evaluating new tests, and developing phenotypic methods for new TB drugs. Brigitta enjoys needlework, Lego and wine appreciation.

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Samantha Pillay
PhD student
Email: samantha.naidoo@nhls.ac.za

Samantha is based at a National Health and Laboratory Service laboratory in Cape Town, where she routinely performs high volumes of tests for drug-resistant TB, and uses these data towards her studies. Samantha loves travelling and trying out new recipes.

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Gcobisa Ndlangalavu
PhD student
Email: gcobisa@sun.ac.za

Gcobisa is investigating new on-site TB diagnostics for newly diagnosed people living with HIV, as well as HIV viral load testing for monitoring people living with HIV already on antiretroviral treatment. Gcobisa loves going to the gym and enjoys watching reality shows and series.

Yonas Ghebrekristos
PhD Student
Email: yonasg@sun.ac.za

Yonas is working on improving the diagnosis of TB and drug-resistant TB (including heteroresistance) in a high volume programmatic laboratory using novel molecular tools . He is based at a National Health and Laboratory Service laboratory in Cape Town. In his spare time, Yonas loves playing football and watching sport.

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Tinaye Chiyaka
PhD student
Email: tinayechiyaka@sun.ac.za

Tinaye is studying the role of the Microbiome in pulmonary TB pathogenesis. The study will focus on microbiome from the site of disease (Bronchoalveolar space). Tinaye is a staunch Arsenal fan & amateur photographer.

Erick Auma
PhD student
Email: eauma@sun.ac.za

Erick is studying clinical and molecular epidemiology of resistance to new and re-purposed tuberculosis drugs using novel molecular tools. Erick loves watching football, playing chess and enjoys watching series and reality shows, especially Survivor and Amazing race.

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Tatenda Mujuru
MSc student
Email: tatmujuru@sun.ac.za

Tatenda is studying the performs of different diagnostics tests for drug-resistance in the context of heteroresistance, which is a significant clinical problem. Tatenda is an avid basketball player.

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Stephanie Minnies
MSc Student
Email: stephm@sun.ac.za

Stephanie is working on novel and rapid tests for diagnosis of tuberculosis using non-sputum specimens. "It's wingardium leviOsa, not leviosAH."

Loren Rockman
Masters student
Email: rockman@sun.ac.za

Loren is investigating the yield and accuracy of GeneXpert Ultra in patients with presumptive EPTB. Loren enjoys spending a fair amount of time in the kitchen and loves going on long road trips.

Rencia Alberts
Honours student
Email: renciaalberts11@gmail.com

Rencia is working on characterising the resistance to new and repurposed tuberculosis drugs. Rencia is an avid painter, tea taster and a lover of ballet.

Laboratory staff:

Selisha Naidoo
Laboratory Manager
Email: selisha@sun.ac.za

Selisha is in charge of management and maintenance of the laboratory, assistance with the co-ordination of projects and training of all new members. When Selisha isn't working, she can be found hiking, at the beach or in an art gallery.

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Zaida Palmer
Technical Officer
Email: zaida@sun.ac.za

Zaida oversees specimen processing and diagnostic testing at multiple sites in the field, as well as the biobanking of specimens at the main lab. Zaida loves cooking and shopping for clothes.

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Happy Tshivhula
Research Assistant
Email: tshivhula@sun.ac.za

Happy attends to various day to day laboratory tasks and assists with specimen processing, DNA extractions and diagnostic testing across several studies. Happy is a massive soccer and wresting fan.

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Nandi Niemand
Research Assistant
Email: nniemand@sun.ac.za

Nandi attends to various day to day laboratory tasks and assists with diagnostic testing and sample collection for multiple studies. After a busy week Nandi likes to escape the city life. You will probably find her unwinding with a glass of wine and her dogs always close by, or working in the farrowing houses on the farm.

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Desiree Mbu
Research Assistant
Email: desireelm@sun.ac.za

Desiree assists with day to day laboratory tasks and is involved in specimen processing, biobanking and data capturing across multiple studies. Desiree's hobbies involve dancing and cooking.

Irene Mardarowicz
Research Assistant
Email: imardar@sun.ac.za

Irene assists with specimen processing, diagnostic testing and biobanking across multiple studies.

Clinical staff

Charlotte Lawn
Research Nurse
Email: clawn@sun.ac.za

Charlotte is based at Scottsdene TB clinic, where she recruits patients with suspected TB to evaluate the accuracy and impact of new TB tests. Charlotte is a keen orchid grower and loves gardening.

Charmaine van der Walt
Research Nurse
Email: charmainev@sun.ac.za

Charmaine leads recruitment at Kraaifontein Community Health Centre, where she recruits patients into studies evaluating the impact of new diagnostics for TB and HIV. Charmaine loves to snorkel.

Ruth Wilson
Research Nurse
Email: wilson@sun.ac.za

Ruth is based at Tygerberg General Hospital and collects specimens from patients with suspected extrapulmonary TB. Ruth loves instrumental music and often supports local artists.

Jane Fortuin
Research nurse
Email: jcfortuin@sun.ac.za

Jane is a research nurse based at the Wallacedene clinic and recruits patients suspected with TB.

Lizl Bashe
Research nurse
Email: lbashe@sun.ac.za

Lizl is a research nurse currently involved in the Bedaquiline Hair Study at Brooklyn Chest Hospital.

Ashley Steyn
Research Field Worker
Email: ashleysteyn@sun.ac.za

Ashley assists with studies in the field and helps with equipment set-up and transport for the TITAN study.

Fikiswa Seti
Community Health Worker
Email: fikiswa@sun.ac.za

Fikiswa helps source patients, consent them, conduct home visits in the Kraaifontein area, and performs several point-of-care tests at the clinic. Fikiswa loves walking.

Dandelene Sylvester
Community Health Worker
Email: dandelene@sun.ac.za

Danny helps source patients, consent them, and conduct home visits in the Scottsdene area. Danny loves dancing and socialising with family and friends.

Raymond Fredericks
Driver
Email: rpfredericks@sun.ac.za

Raymond is the group driver and all-round handyman, and plays an important role in the functioning of the recruitment sites. Raymond loves table tennis and soccer.

Zinthle Ntwana
Community health worker
Email: zntwana@sun.ac.za