The eight weeks virtual programme during July and August is an intensive training programme for talented and motivated research scientists from low- and middle-income countries.
The research of Itumeleng, who obtained her master’s in Nanoscience (cum laude) from Nelson Mandela University, focuses on the treatment of colon cancer using green-synthesised gold nanoparticles. Her supervisors are Dr Steven Mufamadi, who holds the Research Chair DSI-Mandela Nanomedicine Platform and Biochemistry and Microbology’s Prof Saartjie Roux.
Itumeleng was born and raised in Ntselamanzi Location in Alice, Eastern Cape. She obtained her BSc (Microbiology) from the University of Pretoria and a BSc (Hons) Medical Biosciences from the University of the Western Cape.
She has also taken on various leadership roles as part of her postgraduate studies, including mentoring first- and second-year Nanoscience Masters’ students, coordinating journal club sessions, and working as a brand ambassador for Nelson Mandela University's Global Challenges University Alliance (GCUA2030).
The programme will include virtual classroom sessions, group work assignments, and active individual participation. The training curriculum is intended to encourage postgraduate students' scientific and professional development. Participants will learn about the pharmaceutical drug discovery and development process, as well as participate in a leadership development programme designed to improve decision-making and communication skills, with the assistance of Novartis mentors.