I obtained my BSc degree in Microbiology and Botany in 2019 and my BSc Honours degree in Microbiology in 2020 from the University of Venda under the supervision of Prof. A. Traore and Prof. N. Potgieter. During my undergraduate studies, I participated in student seminars and assisted with practical demonstrations for undergraduate students.

My BSc Honours research project, titled “Genotoxicity and Antibacterial Activity of Zanthoxylum capense Against Bacteria Causing Gastroenteritis,” focused on evaluating the medicinal potential of indigenous plants. Through this research, I gained experience in bacterial culturing, antimicrobial assays (including the disc diffusion assay), solvent extraction and maceration techniques, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and genotoxicity and cytotoxicity testing using the Ames test, MTT assay, and comet assay, as well as other microbiological laboratory methodologies.

My professional experience includes serving as a Quality Control Intern from 2020 to 2021, where I was involved in quality assurance and laboratory analyses. From 2023 to 2024, I was a FABI CPHB intern under the supervision of Prof. M. Coetzee, where I gained experience in molecular plant pathology research, fungal diagnostics, DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing, and other laboratory-based methodologies.

I am currently registered for an MSc degree at the University of Pretoria in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and conducting my research through the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) under the supervision of Dr K. Bophela-Dimpe and Dr J. Engelbrecht. My research focuses on the characterization and pathogenicity of fungal leaf spot pathogens associated with Cannabis sativa in South Africa, with particular emphasis on Curvularia, Bipolaris, and Septoria species.

My research interests include plant pathology, fungal taxonomy, molecular identification of plant pathogens, and phylogenetic analysis. Since commencing my MSc studies, I have presented my research at several scientific meetings, including the 54th SASPP Biennial Congress held in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, where I presented a poster. I also delivered an oral presentation at the GDARD Symposium held at the Midrand Conference Centre on 17 March 2026.

In addition, I have presented my research at several scientific platforms, including two FABI Thursday Morning Seminars titled “Characterisation of Leaf Spot Associated with Cannabis sativa (L.)” on 7 July 2025 and 25 June 2026, as well as various Agricultural Research Council (ARC) seminars and research forums.