Rethabile Frangenie Motloung | Parasitology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Zoology Honour

Mrs. Rethabile Frangenie Motloung |Parasitology | Best Researcher Award

PhD Candidate at UNISA, South Africa

Rethabile Frangenie Motloung is a dedicated biodiversity scientist with over nine years of experience in species information systems, conservation policy, and stakeholder coordination. She currently serves as Scientist II at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), where she contributes to compiling and maintaining vital data on South Africa’s animal species. Her career spans roles in government and research institutions, where she has demonstrated expertise in biodiversity planning, environmental policy analysis, and project leadership. With a strong foundation in zoology, Rethabile’s academic and professional journey reflects a commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship. She has presented her work at major scientific conferences and published in reputable journals. Passionate about advancing biodiversity knowledge and its integration into policy, she plays a crucial role in shaping conservation strategies in Southern Africa. Rethabile’s technical, analytical, and communication skills position her as a key advocate for ecological resilience and informed environmental governance.

Professional Profiles

Google Scholar |  ORCID Profile

Education

Rethabile holds a Master’s degree in Zoology from the University of Pretoria , where she researched the distribution of Australian Acacias in Southern Africa under the guidance of Dr. John Wilson, Prof. Mark Robertson, and Prof. Mathieu Rouget. Prior to this, she earned her Honours and Bachelor’s degrees in Zoology and Botany from the University of the Free State. Her Honours thesis focused on molecular detection techniques for Anaplasma marginale in cattle, and she achieved distinctions in both her undergraduate and Honours studies. Rethabile completed her secondary education at Phofung Senior Secondary School. Her academic path laid a robust scientific foundation and exposed her to interdisciplinary environmental challenges, especially those related to invasive species and conservation biology. Her education not only shaped her research interests but also empowered her with advanced analytical and GIS skills, which she continues to apply in her professional work at SANBI and in national conservation policy contexts.

 Experience

Rethabile Motloung has built a solid career in biodiversity and environmental management. At SANBI, where she has served as Scientist II since, she leads animal species information projects and supports national conservation policy through data cleaning, species-level analysis, and research. Prior to this, she worked as a Biodiversity Officer and Environmental Officer in the Western Cape Government, developing environmental policies, coordinating workshops, and mainstreaming biodiversity into governance structures. She also contributed to research on sustainability in education departments and conducted energy efficiency projects. Rethabile began her professional journey at SANBI as a Technical Assistant and Intern, focusing on spatial data for endemic plants. Her experience spans database management, project planning, policy consultation, and facilitating stakeholder engagement. Through these roles, she has contributed to strategic biodiversity frameworks while enhancing the accuracy and accessibility of ecological data across South Africa. Her contributions have had both scientific and policy-level impacts.

Award and Honor

Rethabile’s commitment to excellence in environmental science has been recognized through several prestigious awards. She received the South African National Biodiversity Institute Postgraduate Bursary for her Master’s degree, supporting her research on invasive species modeling. Additionally, she was granted the National Research Foundation (NRF) Innovation Award and NRF Honours Postgraduate Bursary, underscoring her academic merit and research potential. Her leadership and emerging influence in biodiversity conservation earned her the esteemed WWF Nedbank Green Trust Emerging Leaders Fellowship, administered by GreenMatter. These accolades reflect her contributions to ecological sustainability and her capability as a rising leader in natural sciences. Rethabile’s professional achievements are further amplified through affiliations with the South African Association of Botanists and her registration as a Candidate Scientist with the Southern African Council of Natural Science Professionals. Her award history highlights her dual strengths in rigorous scientific research and impactful environmental leadership.

Research Focus

Rethabile Frangenie Motloung’s research focuses on biodiversity data systems, species distribution modeling, and conservation planning. Her MSc research explored how climate-based species distribution models can predict the invasive potential of Australian Acacias, contributing valuable insights into managing ecological threats. At SANBI, her work emphasizes compiling species-level data for South Africa’s animal taxa, aligning conservation priorities with national biodiversity strategies. She is particularly interested in the biogeographical patterns of narrow-range endemic species, using spatial data and GIS tools to inform policy and prioritize conservation actions. Her work contributes to the foundational biodiversity knowledge base that supports legislation, planning frameworks, and the sustainable management of threatened ecosystems. Rethabile has presented on the role of bioclimatic modeling and endemic species conservation at national symposia, showcasing her ability to bridge scientific research with practical conservation needs. Her focus remains on integrating robust data into governance frameworks to support biodiversity protection in rapidly changing environments.

Research Skill

Rethabile possesses a versatile skill set that bridges research, policy, and project implementation. She excels in biodiversity policy development, environmental governance, and scientific data analysis. Her GIS proficiency supports spatial data mapping and species modeling, while her research background enables rigorous analysis of ecological data. With strong communication and facilitation skills, she effectively engages with governmental departments, NGOs, and scientific communities to promote sustainable practices. She is adept at organizing stakeholder workshops, writing technical reports, and developing legislative inputs. Rethabile is trained in project management, leadership for environmental sustainability, and sustainable development through programs from the Sustainability Institute and GreenMatter. Her ability to translate scientific evidence into practical policy recommendations enhances her impact in conservation planning. She thrives in collaborative, multidisciplinary settings and demonstrates high organizational competence in coordinating complex environmental projects. Her knowledge of civil society engagement and policy mainstreaming makes her a valuable contributor to biodiversity-focused initiatives in South Africa.

Publication Top Notes

Conclusion

Rethabile Frangenie Motloung is a well-rounded researcher and environmental leader with deep expertise in biodiversity science, policy integration, and ecological data management. Her contributions to national biodiversity assessments, species conservation strategies, and mainstreaming efforts have had measurable impacts on environmental governance in South Africa. She is not only a strong scientist but also a strategic thinker and mentor who fosters community engagement and capacity building.

Glory Adebayo | Parasitology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Zoology Honour

Ms. Glory Adebayo | Parasitology | Best Researcher Award

Research Associate at Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Nigeria

Glory Pipeloluwa Adebayo is a dedicated biomedical researcher specializing in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and malaria drug discovery. She is currently a Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), where she leads studies on Plasmodium falciparum resistance and antimalarial therapeutics. With extensive expertise in molecular diagnostics, immunology, and in vitro drug assays, she has contributed significantly to infectious disease research. Her work has resulted in multiple high-impact publications, and she has trained several young scientists in laboratory techniques. She has also participated in international research collaborations, including training at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute. Her contributions to malaria research extend to both computational and laboratory-based studies, making her a prominent figure in the field. She aspires to develop innovative treatment strategies for infectious diseases through interdisciplinary research and technological advancements.

Professional Profiles📖

Scopus

Education 🎓

Glory is a dedicated researcher with a strong academic background in biological sciences. She earned her B.Sc. (Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, with a commendable GPA of 4.08/5.00. She then pursued an M.Sc. in Cell Biology and Genetics at the same institution, graduating with a stellar GPA of 4.29/5.00. Currently, she is completing her Ph.D. in Biology at Covenant University, where her research is centered on antimalarial drug discovery. Her work integrates both computational and laboratory-based approaches to experimental drug development, positioning her at the forefront of innovative biomedical research. Beyond her academic achievements, Glory has gained valuable hands-on experience, including her service at the Abia State Hospital and Diagnostic Centre during her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year. She has honed her expertise in molecular techniques, bioinformatics, and pharmaceutical research, contributing to international collaborations, conference presentations, and high-impact scientific publications. With a passion for advancing global health through cutting-edge research, she remains committed to making significant contributions to drug discovery and disease treatment.

Awards and Honors 🏆

Glory’s dedication to research, international collaboration, and academic excellence in biomedical sciences is evident through her numerous prestigious awards and fellowships. In 2024, she was awarded a Research Fellowship at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), recognizing her contributions to malaria therapeutic efficacy studies and molecular diagnostics. Her commitment to global health research was further acknowledged in 2022 when she received the Swiss TPH Training Fellowship at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, where she honed her expertise in Plasmodium falciparum drug assays and mammalian cell culture techniques. Earlier in her career, Glory was recognized as the Best Graduate Research Intern at NIMR in 2019 for her outstanding work in molecular diagnosis and Plasmodium resistance studies. Her academic excellence was also celebrated at the University of Lagos, where she received the Academic Excellence Award in 2016. These accolades highlight her passion for scientific discovery, her ability to excel in competitive research environments, and her ongoing contributions to biomedical science and infectious disease research.

Work Experience💼

Glory’s research experience spans academia, public health institutions, and international research centers, showcasing her interdisciplinary expertise in infectious disease research. Currently serving as a Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), she leads malaria therapeutic efficacy studies, molecular diagnostics, and ELISA-based immunological assessments. Prior to this, she worked as a Research Assistant at Covenant University’s Bioinformatics Research Unit, where she conducted Plasmodium and mammalian cell cultures, toxicity assays, and molecular docking analyses. Her commitment to advancing malaria research led her to the Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute in 2022, where she received specialized training in Plasmodium falciparum drug assays and mammalian cell culture techniques. She also gained hands-on experience as a Graduate Research Intern at NIMR in 2019, assisting in the molecular diagnosis of human blood samples and Plasmodium resistance studies. Beyond her research-focused roles, she worked as a Pharmacy Assistant at Crest Health Pharmacy in 2017, managing drug inventory and supporting pharmaceutical services. With a solid foundation in both laboratory and clinical research, Glory continues to contribute meaningfully to global infectious disease control efforts.

Skills💡

Glory possesses a diverse skill set that spans molecular biology, cell culture, immunology, bioinformatics, animal studies, lab management, and scientific writing. Her expertise in molecular biology includes DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and molecular docking, enabling her to conduct precise genetic and protein-based analyses. She is also proficient in cell culture techniques, working with Plasmodium and mammalian cells to perform in vitro drug assays that contribute to antimalarial drug discovery. Her immunology experience includes ELISA-based assays and serological testing, crucial for evaluating immune responses in infectious disease research. In bioinformatics, she specializes in data mining, next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis, and omics data integration, allowing her to analyze large-scale biological data sets. Additionally, she has hands-on experience with murine malaria models, conducting toxicity assays and drug efficacy testing to validate therapeutic interventions. Beyond her technical skills, Glory is adept at lab management, ensuring compliance with safety protocols, maintaining accurate data records, and developing standard operating procedures (SOPs). She is also an accomplished scientific writer, with experience in manuscript preparation, grant writing, and proposal development, reinforcing her ability to contribute to high-impact research publications and secure funding for innovative projects.

Research Focus 🔬

Glory Adebayo is a dedicated researcher specializing in malaria research, with a focus on molecular drug discovery, Plasmodium resistance characterization, and bioinformatics applications. Her work integrates computational drug design, in vitro and in vivo antimalarial assays, and genetic analysis of resistant strains to advance the fight against malaria. She is particularly interested in post-GWAS (genome-wide association study) analysis, where she develops omics-based tools to study malaria epidemiology and identify potential therapeutic targets.

Beyond malaria research, Glory has contributed to studies on viral infections and antimicrobial resistance, expanding her impact within infectious disease research. Her interdisciplinary approach seamlessly combines wet-lab techniques with computational biology, enabling her to bridge experimental and computational methodologies. Through her research, she aims to develop effective therapeutics and innovative strategies to combat infectious diseases, ultimately improving global public health outcomes.

Publications Top Notes📚

 

Title: The Importance of Murine Models in Determining In Vivo Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy in Antimalarial Drug Discovery.​

Journal: Pharmaceuticals.​Preprints+1MDPI+1

Publication Date: March 2025.​

DOI: 10.3390/ph18030424.