Building a Community of Women in STEM

UKZN Division Manager

Prof Nishani Harinarian

Prof Nishani Harinarain was the first person to graduate with a PhD in Construction Management at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She has experience in major construction projects and has vast experience in lecturing and research.

UKZN Division Co-ordinator

Dr Naimah Ebrahim Khan

Dr Naimah Ebrahim Khan is a senior lecturer and academic leader at UKZN Optometry. She holds a PhD in Optometry and her research focuses on vision screening, contact lenses, optometry and technology and dry eye. 

SU Division Manager

Dr Yaseera Ismail

Dr Yaseera Ismail is a senior lecturer and Quantum Physicist at Stellenbosch University. She is an experimentalist developing quantum optical tools, and she obtained her PhD in Physics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

SU Mentee Co-ordinator

Dr Chevarra Hansraj

Dr Chevarra Hansraj is a lecturer in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Stellenbosch University. She holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from UKZN. She specialises in black holes and gravitational waves. 

UCT Division Manager

Prof Shareefa Dalvie

Prof Shareefa Dalvie is an Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town (UCT). She holds a PhD in Human Genetics from UCT. She has expertise in bipolar disorder, imaging genetics and biological psychiatry.

UCT Division Co-ordinator

Ms Nakita Laing

Nakita Laing is a Genetic Counsellor at Groote Schuur Hospital and an Honorary lecturer at the University of Cape Town.

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UCT Division Co-ordinator

Dr Khuthala Mnika 

Dr Khuthala Mnika is a lecturer at the University of Cape Town (UCT). She holds a PhD in Human Genetics from UCT.  Her research interest is in the Genomics of Sickle Cell Disease and Inherited Kidney Disease.

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UJ Division Manager

Dr Farhahna Allie

Dr Farhahna Allie is a lecturer at the University of Johannesburg. She holds a PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of the Witwatersrand. Her research focuses on molecular plant-virus interaction studies and the plant pathology of agriculturally important crops.

UJ Mentee Co-ordinator

Dr Vivien Visaya 

Dr Vivien Visaya is a senior lecturer at the University of Johannesburg. She has a D.Sc in Mathematics from Kyoto University, Japan. Her research interests are in dynamical systems, time series analysis, and innovative visualisation techniques.

UJ Mentor Co-ordinator

Dr. Lee-Ann Sade Modley 

Dr Modley is a senior lecturer and Deputy Head of Department in the Department of Geography, Environmental Management, and Energy Studies at the University of Johannesburg. She holds a PhD in Environmental Science specializing in Aquatic Health.​

WITS Division Manager

Dr. Lindie Lamola

Dr Lindie Lamola is a lecturer and researcher at the Division of Human Genetics at the University of the Witwatersrand. She obtained her PhD in Human Genetics from the University of Cape Town. 

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WITS Mentee Co-ordinator

Dr. Raeesa Manjoo-Docrat

Dr Raeesa Manjoo-Docrat is a lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand. She holds a PhD in statistics. She specialises in statistics, spatial analysis, and infectious disease modelling. 

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WITS Mentor Co-ordinator

Dr Wen-Chi Kuo

Dr Wen-Chi Kuo has a PhD in mathematics from WITS. She is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Mathematics at WITS. Her research focus is on Ordered Structures and Functional Analytic settings for Stochastic Processes.

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UWC Division Manager

Dr. Sibaliwe Maku Vyambwera

Dr. Sibaliwe Maku Vyambwera is a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at UWC. She holds her PhD in Mathematical Science and her research focuses on developing mathematical models to study infectious diseases.

UWC Mentee Co-ordinator

Dr Philomene Nsengiyumva

Dr Philomene Nsengiyumva is a senior lecturer at the Department of Statistics and Population Studies at UWC. She holds a PhD in Population Studies and Demography. Her research focuses on migration, gender and access to scarce resources.

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UWC Mentor Co-ordinator

Dr. Rechelle Jacobs

Dr. Rechelle Jacobs, a Statistician and lecturer at UWC, has 15 years in financial services and a decade in academia. She serves on Umalusi’s Assessment Standards Committee and founded the Master Mind Foundation.​

NWU Mentee Co-ordinator

Mrs Mittah Magodielo

Mittah Magodielo is an academic advisor at North-West University. She is pursuing a PhD at NWU. Her research focuses on the impact of Indigenous Knowledge on the sustainable cultivation and use of plants ​

NWU Mentor Co-ordinator

Mrs Felicity Nthatisi

Mrs Felicity Nthatisi is lecturer in  nGAP at the school of Chemical Engineering at North West Univesity. She is pursuing her PhD at NWU. Her research focuses on advanced simulation and modelling (CFD) and emissions control.