ADP Cell Biology Lecturer
Room: HW Pearson Building, Room 3.06.1
Phone: 021 650 7113
Email: Kayla.Vaaltyn@uct.ac.za
Web site: www.researchgate.net/profile/Michaelone-Vaaltyn-3
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Joined the Biological Science Department in September 2022 as a Science (ADP) cell biology lecturer and convenor for Bio1000H course. Role as an ADP cell biology lecturer is to teach cell biology to first year students as well as do research on how to improve teaching and learning in cell biology. A Bio1000H course is taught over two semesters instead of the traditional one semester, like in the reciprocal first year Bio1000F course. As a Bio1000H lecturer, I help first year students cope with the workload and give them the necessary support as they transition from first year cell biology, into their second-year studies.
Research Background:
I have obtained a PhD degree in Biochemistry at Rhodes University, with 9 years’ research experience in cancer cell biology. My research focus was based on studying the relationship between chaperones and co-chaperones as well as looking at the relationship between one of the co-chaperones, HOP (Hsp90/Hsp70 organising protein) with cell signaling and cytoskeleton proteins (esp. RhoC and Tubulin). I did a range of protein purifications for protein-protein interactions and protein-drug interactions; with the intention to find an alternative cancer drug target and to add to the cancer research knowledge.