Special greetings everyone!
In the midst of hosting our collaborators and facilitating computational metabolomics workshops, we kicked off 2025 with great momentum as we significantly expanded our team. TTL proudly welcomed nine new MSc students—Ms Lungelwa Zweni, Ms Karabo Maagi, Ms Ntokozo Macu, Ms Alberca Mavodze, Ms Lufuno Mabogo, Ms Anela Keke, Ms Nolwazi Khumalo, Ms Rudzani Matodzi, and Mr Sinekamva Mnyamana—each bringing unique energy and expertise into the lab. Their arrival signals TTL’s growing commitment to developing the next generation of metabolomics and systems biology researchers. In parallel, the lab also welcomed two exceptional postdoctoral fellows, Dr Yusuf Aleshinloye and Dr Morena Tinte, both recipients of the prestigious Global Excellence and Stature 4.0 for Societal Impact (GES 4.0 SI) fellowships. Their presence is already enriching TTL’s academic ecosystem, fostering depth in both research and mentorship.
Academic milestones were another source of pride and inspiration. In April, we celebrated the MSc graduation of Mrs Innocentia Selepe, who has since rejoined TTL to pursue her PhD studies—an exciting continuation of her research journey within our scientific family. Earlier, in March, Mrs Kekeletso Chele successfully defended her PhD thesis, a significant achievement that underscores TTL’s commitment to excellence in postgraduate training and cutting-edge research. Her doctoral work, which bridges ethnobotanical knowledge and computational metabolomics, exemplifies the interdisciplinary innovation that defines TTL.
Beyond training and events, TTL’s research continues to drive scientific advancement with tangible impact. Some of the recent publications from TTL and collaborations include:
- Bridging Ethnobotanical Knowledge and Multi-Omics Approaches for Plant-Derived Natural Product Discovery
- Mitigating salt stress in maize using Ecklonia maxima seaweed extracts
- Towards a greener future: The role of sustainable methodologies in metabolomics research
- MIBiG 4.0: advancing biosynthetic gene cluster curation through global collaboration
- Effective data visualization strategies in untargeted metabolomics
What ties these scientific outputs together is a common thread: TTL’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge while addressing pressing challenges—be it food security, environmental stress resilience, or equitable access to science. With 28 active members spanning BSc Honors, MSc, PhD, and postdoctoral levels, TTL is not just a research lab—it is a family, and a living ecosystem of inquiry, collaboration, and innovation.
The months ahead promise fresh adventures for our lab, and our enthusiasm and focus remain strong. As always, we pride ourselves on meeting and learning from others. We invite you to stay connected and follow our latest updates on social media, visit the University of Johannesburg website, or reach out directly. We welcome partnerships, curiosity, and collaboration—because TTL is, at its core, a space where ideas grow into societal impact.
Best wishes to everyone.
Written By: Fidele Tugizimana, Lerato Nephali and Akhona Myoli.