Cv
📍 Johannesburg ✉️ kalonji.tshisekedi@gmail.com
Skills
Programming Skills (Advanced)
Python R SQL Linux Bash scripting OMICS data analysis
Programming Skills (Intermediate)
Git Docker HTML CSS AWS cloud computing High performance computing Cluster
Molecular Biology Techniques (Advanced)
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Gel electrophoresis Nucleic acid Extraction Protein extraction and Purification Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) Microbial Cell Culture Environmental Sampling
Education
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Molecular Biology | University of The Witwatersrand - 2024 |
| Master of Science in Molecular Biology with Distinction | University of The Witwatersrand - 2021 |
| Bachelor of Science Honours in Microbiology and Biotechnology | University of The Witwatersrand - 2018 |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Scientific Studies | University of The Witwatersrand - 2017 |
| Bachelor of Science in Biomedicine | Eduvos (Previously: Midrand Graduate Institute) - 2013-2015 |
Work Experience
Doctoral Intern and Lecturer 📍 University of The Witwatersrand | 📅 Aug 2024 - Dec 2024
Lecturer and Module Developer 📍 Eduvos (Pearson Institute) | 📅 2020 - 2023
Teaching Assistant 📍 Faculty of Science, University of The Witwatersrand | 📅 2018 - 2023
Tutor/Marker 📍 Eduvos (Pearson Institute of Higher Education) | 📅 2019
Work Integrated Learning Program 📍 Dischem Pharmacies | 📅 2016
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Research Outputs
Peer-Reviewed Publications
- Tshisekedi KA, De Maayer P, Botes A. Metagenomic sequencing and reconstruction of 82 microbial genomes from barley seed communities. Sci Data. 2024 May 10;11(1):484. DOI
- Ijoma GN, Ogola HJO, Pillay P, Tshisekedi KA, Tekere M. Metagenomics datasets of water and sediments from eutrophication-impacted artificial lakes in South Africa. Sci Data. 2024 May 6;11(1):456. DOI
- Wingfield, B.D., De Vos, L., Tshisekedi KA, Wilson, A.M., et al. “IMA Genome - F16.” IMA Fungus 13, 3 (2022). DOI
Plenary Talks
- Tshisekedi, K.A., De Maayer P., and Botes A (2025). Exploring barley seed microbiomes using meta-omics. Global Young Scientist Summit 2025. Singapore.
- Tshisekedi KA, De Maayer P, Botes A (2023). Elucidating Nitrogen Cycling and Microbial Adaptation in Malting Barley Grain: A Meta-Omics Approach. South African Society for Microbiology (SASM) conference. Stellenbosch, September 2023. Award: Best Oral Presentation 2nd place
Conference Outputs – Oral Presentations
- Tshisekedi KA, Habibu A., De Maayer P, Botes A (2021). Comparative genome analysis of Naganishia yeasts identifies several proteins associated with stress tolerance. South African Society for Microbiology (SASM) Virtual conference. 4th to 6th May 2021.
Conference Outputs – Poster Presentations
- Tshisekedi, K.A., De Maayer P., and Botes A (2023). Unveiling the role of nitrogen in shaping microbial communities and malting quality in barley grain through meta-omics analysis. International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME) #19. Cape Town.
📅 18th Aug 2024 – 23rd Aug 2024 🏆 Award: African Travel Grants - Tshisekedi, K.A., De Maayer P., and Botes A (2023). Exploring Nitrogen-Induced Changes in Barley Microbial Communities through Genome-resolved metagenomics. FEMS Conference on Microbiology 2023 📅 8th -13th July 2023
- Tshisekedi, K.A., De Maayer P., and Botes A (2023). Exploring Nitrogen-Induced Changes in Barley Microbial Communities through Genome-resolved metagenomics. Ubuntu Proteomics Summer School 2023 📅 19th February 2023 🏆 Award: Best Poster
- Tshisekedi KA, Habibu A., De Maayer P, Botes A (2020). Comparative genomic analysis hints at psychrophilic nature of the novel yeast species Naganishia randhawae. FEMS Online Conference on Microbiology 2020 📅 28th -31st October 2020
- Tshisekedi KA, Habibu A., De Maayer P, Botes A (2020). Draft Genome Sequence of the basidiomycetous yeast Naganishia randhawae eABCC1 isolated from avian guano in South Africa. Biodiversity Genomics 2020 (online) 📅 5-9 October 2020