MBUKENI ANDREW NKOMO Tell us about the background of your research. I am a trained agricultural biotechnologist, who has a purpose of enhancing academic excellence through innovative teaching and learning approaches, quality research that may impact society positively. My field of expertise is Botany and laboratory experience ranged from Effect of Climate change on Plants (Specifically progressive drought stress and salinity), Plant Pathology (Effect of different fungus and their mycotoxins on plants), Soil Science and Phytoremediation of heavy metals contaminated land using plants. The main theme of my PhD is to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms, proteomics pathways, and metabolomics fingerprint involving nutrient uptake and stressresponse, including the uses of key metabolites of the phenylpropanoid pathway to modify and control abiotic stresses. I have trained a number of Plant Biotechnology post graduate students in different physiological and biological techniques in other to help identify how plants are affected by Environmental Stresses and to help in finding ways to combat the effect of these stresses. I have also demonstrated multiple skills working in agricultural biotechnology industry. Which includes Mass Spectrometry (For identification of proteins), HPLC (Identification of phenolic acids) and ICP-OES (Identification of mineral content and heavy metals concentration) Bio-typing (identification of micro-organism), ELISA, Plant Tissue Culture, Statistical Analysis, Research Design and Sessional Lecturing.
time make sure the lab has a good supportive structure meaning, this could be postdoctoral student that can assist you. I was Dr. Ashwil Klein first student when he first started a Lab at UWC. He, believed and the only best thing you can do as a supervisor is to believe in your students and always push them to do more. I really appreciated their combine efforts with Prof. Marshall Keyster. Especially during my Thesis writeup and publication preparation meetings they took pro-active steps and always practiced what they preached. I found this to be incredibly valuable in working with them, they will always allow me to explore and challenge nearly all possible perspectives to any idea surrounding my PhD project. Who is your biggest inspiration/What inspires you? My biggest inspiration came from my mentors Prof. Ndimba (ARC/UWC) and Dr. Ndimba (iThemba labs). They are friend when I need a shoulder to cry on, mentors when I need advice
What were the motivations for carrying out this research? Whenever I felt like giving up and things were not working out. I will always think of my daughter “Mabatho” and think of a life that I would wish for her to live. Research can be a long and tough journey, what kept you going during this process? I always tell other student that when choosing a supervisor, the best thing to look for its their availability. If they are not available most of the
FUTURE RESEARCHERS @ UWC
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