Summary
I am an adaptable and proactive researcher specializing in sexual and reproductive health research (STI and viral hepatitis). I have expertise in molecular virology honed through a decade of training and experience in advanced laboratory assays and leading research projects. My key competencies include science communication, project management, teaching, research and analytical skills.
Professional experiences
Postdoctoral fellow
Botswana Harvard Health Partnership , Gaborone
From May 2025 to Today
Provide oversight and leadership to the study team
Coordinate the implementation of study activities
Ensure ethical compliance by managing IRB applications, amendments, and continuing reviews
Develop study protocols and conduct training sessions for the research team
Data management, data quality checks and analysis (REDCap, R, STATA)
Write manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
Teaching assistant
University of Botswana , Gaborone
From April 2022 to April 2024
Prepared and delivered lectures in Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) courses
Developed protocols for laboratory sessions in the MLS programme
Led hands-on laboratory sessions to reinforce theoretical concepts to students
Supervised final-year students, providing mentorship and technical guidance on their projects
Assessed and graded assignments Invigilated tests and examinations
Classes I assisted in include: MLS203 - Medical Virology MLS210 - Principles of Molecular Biology FHS204 - Microbiology for Health Sciences MLS404 - Introduction to Biostatistics
Research fellow
Botswana Harvard Health Partnership , Gaborone - Fixed-term contract
From May 2021 to Today
Coordinating a prospective HBV study, managing timelines and resources
Student supervision, providing guidance on research projects, laboratory techniques, and analysis
Preparing and delivering abstracts at international scientific conferences
Conducting statistical analyses for viral hepatitis research projects using STATA and R
Contributing to competitive collaborative grant proposals
Led a comprehensive study on the prevalence and genetic diversity of hepatitis B virus in Botswana
generating four first-authored publications
Performed ELISA, DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing, ensuring high-quality data for analysis
Co-authored multiple research articles advancing the field of viral hepatitis research in the region
Phd fellow
Botswana Harvard Health Partnership , Gaborone
From May 2021 to April 2025
Led a study on HBV prevalence and diversity in Botswana generating four publications
Optimised a next generation sequencing protocol for HBV
Delivered presentations at international sceintitic conferences
Supervised undergraduate students
Conducted statistical analyses for viral hepatitis research projects (STATA, R)
Contributed to grant proposals submitted to NIH, EDCTP, Wellcome Trust
Consultant laboratory scientist (covid-19)
Botswana Harvard Health Partnership , Gaborone
From March 2020 to April 2021
Assessed the laboratory's readiness for SARS-CoV-2 testing
Evaluated equipment, reagent availability, staff training needs, and budgeting
Designed the SARS-CoV-2 testing and resulting algorithm with the COVID-19 Task Force Team
Performed SARS-CoV-2 testing and trained staff members to enhance laboratory capacity
Managed the procurement of essential reagents and consumables
Research fellow
Botswana Harvard Health Partnership , Gaborone
From April 2017 to August 2018
Developed research proposals (HBV incidence and HIV/HBV/TB multiple infections in Botswana)
Conducted laboratory assays (ELISA, DNA extraction, PCR), statistical analysis
Provided hands-on training to interns in key laboratory techniques
Managed the research laboratory consumables inventory
Research laboratory intern
Botswana Harvard Health Partnership , Gaborone
From February 2016 to March 2017
Assisted research fellows in HBV, HIV and Human pegivirus projects
Conducted ELISA, nucleic acid extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, sequencing
Presented study findings at conferences
Additionals trainings
BSc Biological Sciences
University of Botswana
2011 à 2015
MSc Medical Biosciences
University of Bradford
2018 à 2019
PhD
University of Botswana - Medical Sciences (Virology)
2021 à 2024
My project title was "Prevalence and diversity of hepatitis B virus among people living with HIV in rural and peri-urban communities in Botswana". This is the largest HBV study in Botswana among people living with HIV that screened for various HBV markers in 30 Botswana villages. Technical skills applied include ELISA, PCR, next generation sequencing, statistical and bioinformatic analyses, manuscript writing and scientific presentations. I published four first-authored articles in international journals from my PhD research and co-authored eight other publication in other viral hepatitis project during my PhD journey.
Associations
Degree
Languages
Anglais - Fluent
Tswana - Native language
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