Group Members

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.

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.

Danile Mata

B.Sc., B.Sc.(Hons), University of Cape Town 2024

Research Area: Bimetallic Complexes, Tandem Catalysis, Hydroaminomethylation

Danile was born and raised at Thembisa, Johannesburg, South Africa. She matriculated from Tswelopele Secondary School and obtained a BSc in Mathematics and Chemistry at the University of Cape Town in 2023. She went on to pursue a BSc (Honours) degree in Chemistry at the University of Cape Town in 2024 with a project focused on the development of dirhodium(II,II) complexes as catalysts precursors for chemoselective reductive amination, under the supervision of Dr Siyabonga Ngubane, Professor Gregory Smith and Dr Stephen de Doncker. Her current research is under the supervision of Dr Siyabonga Ngubane, Professor Gregory Smith and Dr Stephen de Doncker and focuses on the development of heterobimetallic Rh/Ir tandem catalysts for the hydroaminomethylation of olefins.

Outside the lab, Danile likes playing soccer, hiking, anime and baking.

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.

Chloë Netta

B.Sc., B.Sc.(Hons), University of Cape Town 2024

Research Area: Bioorganometallic Chemistry, SNAP-Tag, Antibody-Drug Conjugates, Anticancer Agents

Chloë was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. She matriculated from Rustenburg Girls’ High and later moved up the mountain to obtain her B.Sc. in Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCT. In 2024 she achieved her B.Sc. (Hons) in chemistry; her project focusing on the synthesis of novel organometallic Antibody-Drug conjugate precursors.

Chloë is passionate about animals and enjoys wandering around the outdoors, reading, and gaming in her spare time.