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Zoleka Ngcete was born and grew up in Grahamstown. She
obtained a BSc in Biochemistry and Microbiology from Rhodes University,
funded through a British Council Bursary. Because of a growing interest
in the application of biochemistry and microbiology to real-life
challenges, she went on to complete a BSc Honours and a MSc in
Biotechnology, also at Rhodes University. Her MSc thesis focussed on
the functional characterization of amide bond hydrolysis in
hydantoinase-producing bacteria. She then went to continue her studies
at the University of Cape Town, registering for a PhD in Medical
Microbiology under the supervision of Prof Lafras Steyn. Her thesis,
which has been submitted for examination, focuses on functional
characterization and in vitro evolution of
mycobacterial promoters. Part of her PhD research was conducted at the
University of Oxford, United Kingdom, after being awarded the Lord John
Sainsbury Scholarship.
As part of her postgraduate training, she was involved in
tutoring undergraduates, demonstration during undergraduate practicals,
and supervision of undergraduate students doing mini-research projects.
During her PhD studies, she was responsible for the day-to-day
supervision of an MSc student working on a National Drug Development
Platform (NDDP)-funded project, aimed at identifying novel anti-M.
tuberculosis natural and synthetic entities. Her main
interests include the application of scientific research to solving
health and environmental challenges, commercialization of research
outputs, research capacity building, and promoting an interest in
science amongst young people.
As the project coordinator for the South African Malaria
Initiative, her duties include ensuring networking between the
programme participants, organizing meetings and workshops, internal and
external communication, identifying new partnerships, fundraising,
financial management, liaison between programme participants and
funding agencies, and monitoring and ensuring progress on commitments.
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