Postdoctoral Fellows
Reinner Omondi
Ph.D., University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2021
Research areas:
Design and synthesis of new coordination and organometallic complexes, substitution kinetics with biological nucleophiles, interactions with targets such as DNA and proteins, cytotoxicity, and computational approaches
Reinner was born and bred in Nairobi, Kenya where he completed his Primary and Secondary Education. He received his BSc (Hons) degree in Chemistry from Maseno University, Kenya. He then moved to the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa where he received his MSc degree (physical chemistry) in 2018. He gained his Ph.D. in Bioinorganic Chemistry from UKZN in 2021 under the mentorship of Prof Stephen Ojwach and Prof Deogratius Jaganyi. His doctoral work involved the design of palladium(II) complexes and investigation of their kinetics and mechanism of ligand substitution reactions, DNA/BSA protein interactions and cytotoxicity. In 2022, he joined Prof Gregory Smith’s group at the University of Cape Town (South Africa) as a postdoctoral research fellow. His current research interest concerns the synthesis, photophysical properties, and photocytotoxicity of polynuclear platinum-group metal complexes.
Outside lab, he enjoys reading memoir, action and adventure, poetry, classics, detective and mystery, and science fiction books. He also loves listening to music.
PhD Students
Stephen de Doncker
B.Sc., BSc. (Hons), M.Sc., University of Cape Town 2020
Research Area: Organometallic Synthesis, Metallodendrimers, Catalysis, Anticancer Agents
Stephen was born in Cape Town, South Africa. He matriculated from Groote Schuur High School in 2007. He completed his B.Sc. majoring in Chemistry and Mathematics at the University of Cape Town in 2016. In 2017 he completed his B.Sc. (Hons) at the University of Cape Town. His B.Sc. (Hons) dissertation, under the supervision of Professor Roger Hunter, involved the development of new methodology for the synthesis of unsymmetrical trisulfides with anti-cancer applications.
Stephen’s current research area involves the study of bimetallic rhodium complexes appended to dendrimers as hydroformylation catalysts and their potential application as anticancer agents.
Stephen is an adrenalin junkie and avid motorcycle enthusiast. His primary hobby is building, restoring and racing classic motorcycles.
Taryn Golding
B.Sc., BSc. (Hons), MSc, University of Cape Town 2021
Research Area: Organometallic synthesis, Bioorganometallics, Molecular Hybrids, Antimalarials
Taryn was born in Johannesburg, Gauteng and was raised in Cape Town, South Africa. She matriculated from Cannons Creek Independent High School in 2013 and in 2017 and completed my B.Sc. degree in Biochemistry and Chemistry at the University of Cape Town. She then pursued Chemistry further and obtained a BSc. (Hons) degree in 2018, which focused on the synthesis and characterisation of iridium(III) metallarectangles and their antiplasmodial activity.
Her current research involves the synthesis of ferrocenyl quinoline-benzimidazole molecular hybrids, known pharmacophores shown to possess promising antimalarial activity.
In her spare time, Taryn enjoys exploring new places, going on adventures with her loved ones and, of course, trying new foods (She’s a massive foodie!).
Ghannish Soogary
B.Sc., BSc. (Hons), M.Sc., University of Cape Town 2023
Research Area: Bioorganometallic Chemistry, Hybrid Molecules, Antileishmaniasis
Ghannish hails from Mauritius and obtained his B.Sc. degree in 2019 at the University of Cape Town (UCT), majoring in chemistry and mathematics. The following year, he attained his honours degree at UCT in chemistry (in the first class), where his thesis comprised the in silico docking of drugs with the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein; he was awarded the Alistair Stephen Memorial Award for having the top honours dissertation. In 2021, he started his master’s studies at UCT by joining the stable supervised by the late Professor Timothy Egan where his main objectives were to elucidate the solubilities of haem and haem-drug complexes for chosen drugs, thus aiming to supply useful information for a mathematical model to explicate the complex haem detoxification pathway in Plasmodium falciparum. In 2023, Ghannish embarked on the journey towards a Ph.D. at UCT under the joint supervision of Professor Greg Smith (Chemistry) and Dr Ramona Hurdayal (Molecular and Cell Biology), delving into the development of novel (metallo)drugs for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Ghannish is an aspiring academic, and he looks to leverage his knowledge and skills in chemistry at university. He is an ardent football and tennis fan and is always up for a Rubik’s cube solving contest.
Athi Welsh
B.Sc., BSc. (Hons), M.Sc., University of Cape Town 2020
Research Area: Bioorganometallics, Hybrid Molecules, Multivalent Complexes, Benzimidazoles, Dendrimers, Anticancer Agents, Antimalarials, Catalysis in Biological Media
Athi was born in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape and matriculated from Holy Cross Education Center in 2013. He completed his BSc in Chemistry and Biochemistry (2016) at the University of Cape Town. He carried on to complete his BSc (Hons.) degree and obtained a first class honours in Chemistry at the University of Cape Town, as the top Honours student in his class and was awarded the James Moir medal of the South African Chemical Institute, in 2017. His honours project focused on rhodium-based ferrocenyl bioisosteres of benzimidazoles and their antimalarial activity, under the supervision of Assoc. Prof G. S. Smith and Prof. K. Chibale. Athi’s MSc research entails the synthesis and biological evaluation of polynuclear benzimidazoles hybrid complexes, and their application as potential anticancer and antimalarial agents.
Outside his natural habitat, the lab, Athi is an avid hip hop enthusiast. When he is not watching rugby or basketball, Athi enjoys the outdoors and meeting new people.
MSc Students
Jessica Faure
B.Sc., BSc. (Hons), University of Cape Town 2022
Research Area: Bioorganometallic Chemistry, Hybrid Molecules, Anticancer Agents, Photodynamic Therapy
Jess was born in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. She completed all of her schooling at Reddam House Constantia where she matriculated in 2017. Jess went on to complete her B.Sc. in 2021, majoring in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Genetics. She then obtained her B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry with distinction in 2022. Her current research focuses on targeting cancer hallmarks using PGM-based molecular hybrids as chemotherapeutics and photodynamic therapy agents.
Outside of the lab, Jess is passionate about dancing, gyming, hiking and surfing.
Lesedi Lale
B.Sc., BSc. (Hons), University of Cape Town 2023
Research Area: Bioorganometallic Chemistry, Hybrid Molecules, Anti-mycobacterial agents
Lesedi was born and raised in Soweto, a township in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. He matriculated from Mafori Mphahlele High School in 2019 and went on to pursue a B.Sc. in Chemistry and Human Anatomy & Physiology at the University of Cape Town in 2020. Upon completing his B.Sc. degree in 2022, he went on to pursue a B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry which he completed in 2023. His honours project, supervised by Prof. Gregory Smith focused on the design and synthesis of a PGM photosensitiser based on a quinoline-benzimidazole scaffold for use in anticancer photodynamic therapy. His current research focuses on exploiting hybrid metal-based strategies as anti-mycobacterial agents.
Outside of the lab, Lesedi is a media broadcaster and a content creator. He is passionate about producing short sketches and films that tackle the current affairs of South Africa.
Relebohile Mbongo
B.Sc., BSc. (Hons), University of Cape Town 2023
Research Area: Bioorganometallic Chemistry, Hybrid Molecules, Antileishmaniasis
Relebohile was born and raised in Qwa Qwa, Free State, South Africa. She matriculated from Kgola Thuto Secondary School in 2018 and obtained a B.Sc degree in chemistry from the University of Cape Town in 2022. She went on further to complete a B.Sc. (Honours) degree in chemistry at the University of Cape Town in 2023 with a project focussed on the chemical synthesis of the fungal antioxidant ergothioneine under the supervision of Associate Professor Anwar Jardine. Her current research under the supervision of Prof Greg Smith focuses on non-proteinogenic amino acids based on quinoline scaffolds.
During her free time, Relebohile enjoys cooking for her loved ones, developing new recipes, trying new things, dancing, and sitting down with her favourite Netflix shows, specifically The Vampire Diaries.
Takudzwa Murwira
B.Sc., BSc. (Hons), University of Cape Town 2019
Research Area: Organometallic synthesis, antileishmanial agents
Takudzwa was born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe. He completed his O’ Level studies (2012) and A’ Level studies (2014) at St. Francis Xavier’s Kutama College in Zvimba, Zimbabwe, and went on to pursue a BSc in Biochemistry and Genetics at the University of Cape Town in 2016. Upon graduating in 2018, he returned to UCT to pursue and obtain a BSc (Hons) degree in Molecular & Cell Biology in 2019. His Honours project, supervised by Assoc. Prof. Vernon Coyne (Department of Molecular & Cell Biology), focused on the antimicrobial properties of haemocyanin in South African abalone. Takudzwa’s MSc research, which began in 2023, is looking into the synthesis of metallic pharmacophoric scaffolds to develop novel drugs against cutaneous leishmaniasis. This is under the joint supervision of Dr Ramona Hurdayal (Department of Molecular & Cell Biology) and Prof. Gregory Smith.
Takudzwa is an introvert who loves being indoors whenever possible. He likes playing video games, watching anime, does a bit of sketch art at times, and is a huge fan of rock and heavy metal music.
Former Members
ABRAHAMS, Fatima-Zahra - PhD, University of Cape Town, South Africa
ADAMS, Muneebah – Research Chemist, Fine Chemicals Corporation, South Africa
BAARTZES, Nadia - Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Cape Town, South Africa
BURGOYNE, Andrew – Radiochemist, Bethel Valley Radiochemical Processing (BVRP) Group, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA
CASSELLS, Irwin - PhD student, KU Leuven and SCK-CEN, Belgium
CHELLAN, Prinessa – Academic, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
CLAYTON, Hadley – Academic, University of South Africa, South Africa
DAVIDS, Tara - PhD, University of Cape Town, South Africa
GIFFARD, Dylan - PhD, University of Auckland, New Zealand
GOVENDER, Preshendren – Principal Scientific Officer, H3D, University of Cape Town, South Africa
HAGER, Emma – Scientist, Fine Chemicals, South Africa
ISMAIL, Tawfeeq – Scientist, Denel, South Africa
KHANYE, Setshaba – Academic, Rhodes University, South Africa
KISTAMURTHY, Deshen – Scientist, SASOL, South Africa
LI, Yiqun – Consultant, FOFX Software Development, South Africa
MAHAMO, Tebello – Academic, National University of Lesotho, Lesotho
MAKHUBELA, Banothile – Academic, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
MALAZA, Siphelele – PhD, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
MAQEDA, Latisa – Research Scientist, Sasol, South Africa
MATSINHA, Leah – Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
MBATHA, Lungelo – Public Service, South Africa
MELIS, Diana - PhD, KU Leuven and SCK-CEN, Belgium
MOGOROSI, Mokgolela – Research Scientist, SASOL, South Africa
PAYNE, Richard – PhD, University of Cape Town, South Africa
QUARETTI, Martina - Research Scientist, Italy
RAMAROU, Diteboho – Laboratory Technician, Shatterprufe, South Africa
RYLANDS, Laa-iqa - Research and Development (R&D) Chemist, Fine Chemicals Corporation (FCC), Aspen Pharma, South Africa
SIANGWATA, Shepherd - Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Cape Town, South Africa
STRINGER, Tameryn - Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
SUDDING, Lara – Scientist, Fine Chemicals, South Africa
WILLIAMS, Cody - Technical Officer, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
ZINMAN, Shira