Hi, I’m Kalonji. I work in Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, and Data Science.

My academic background includes biomedicine, bioinformatics, microbiology and molecular biology. Throughout my academic journey, I’ve had the privilege to engage in both wet lab benchwork and computational work.

Drawing on my experience, I specialise in analysing complex data to uncover insights and contribute to solving industry challenges.

I have nearly five years of experience in teaching and lecturing at tertiary academic institutions, and developing various academic contents. My present study is focused on plant microbiomes, specifically the extraction of microbial DNA and proteins to better understand their involvement in seed health.

Outside of work, I enjoy building computers, taking photos with both film and digital cameras, playing musical instruments, and travelling.

My Photo Library

On top of a mountain in Serra da Estrela, Portugal.

Visited CERN.

My first international conference in Hamburg.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Molecular Biology (Current) - University of the Witwatersrand
• Master of Science in Molecular Biology with Distinction (2021) – University of the Witwatersrand
  • Passed with Distinction
• 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
  • 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

Work Experience

• Junior Data Scientist – Fathom Data (2024-)
• Teaching Assistant - Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand (2018-)
• Lecturer and Module Developer - Eduvos (2019-2024)
• Tutor/Marker - Eduvos (2018-2019)
• Work Integrated Learning Program - Dischem Pharmacies (2016)

Certifications and Training

• 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

• 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