About
Hello, I’m Kalonji, and I work at the intersection of Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, and Data Science.
My academic background spans biomedicine, bioinformatics, microbiology, and molecular biology, with experience in both wet-lab experiments and computational research. I have worked on omics across various systems from bacteria to humans, and specialise in multi-omics of microbial communities. Currently, I am focusing on human genetics to inform precision medicine in the future, with particular emphasis on contributing to the underrepresented genetics of African populations.
Through developing computational frameworks for population-scale datasets, I aim to contribute insights that could inform targeted therapies and improved patient outcomes. I also apply these computational skills to solve other real-world data-related problems.
Outside of work, I enjoy capturing images with both film and digital cameras, playing musical instruments, and travelling.
My Photo Library
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Molecular Biology (2024) - University of the Witwatersrand
- Master of Science in Molecular Biology with Distinction (2021) – University of the Witwatersrand
- Bachelor of Science Honours in Microbiology and Biotechnology (2018) – University of the Witwatersrand
- Postgraduate Diploma in Scientific Studies (2017) - University of the Witwatersrand
- Bachelor of Science in Biomedicine (2013-2015) – Eduvos (Previously: Midrand Graduate Institute)
Skills
- Advanced proficiency in:
- Next generation sequencing data analysis
- Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) data anlysis
- Big biological and OMICS data analysis
- Programming Skills:
- Python
- R
- SQL
- Git
- Linux
- Bash scripting
- Docker
- HTML
- CSS
Molecular biology techniques:
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
- Gel electrophoresis
- Nucleic acid Extraction
- Protein extraction and Purification
- Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)
- Microbial Cell Culture
Certifications and Training
- Prompting Essentials - Google AI certification (2025)
- Proteomics concepts and data analysis - Ubuntu Proteomics Summer School (2023)
- Genome resolved metagenomics - European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI, 2022)
- 16s Microbiome intermediate Training - H3ABioNet(2021)
- Linux Course for Life Scientists - African Centre for Gene Technologies (ACGT, 2020)
- Data science training -CODATA Research Data Summer School (2020)
- Introduction to Bioinformatics course (IBT) - H3ABioNet (2019)
Awards
- Global Young Scientist Summit 2025 - Selected to present my research
- Alex von Holy Prize 2024 - Best PhD student in Microbiology (Wits University)
- Best Oral Speaker (2nd Place) - South African Society of Microbiology
- Youth & Anticipation Award 2023 - (Geneva Science Diplomacy and Anticipation)
- Most Perspicious Lecturer for 3rd Years 2023 - Faculty of Applied science (Eduvos)
- Most Perspicious Lecturer for 2nd Years 2023 - Faculty of Applied science (Eduvos)
- Most Relatable Lecturer for 2nd Years 2023 - Faculty of Applied science (Eduvos)
- Alex von Holy Prize 2023 - Best PhD student in Microbiology (Wits University)
- Best Poster Prize - Ubuntu Proteomics Summer School 2023
- Golden key top achiever - Wits University
- Wits University Postgraduate Merit Award
- National Research Foundation (NRF) Doctoral Scholarship