BIOSKETCH
Dr Nompumelelo Mkhwanazi holds a PhD in Virology as well as a master’s degree in medical science, which followed a BSc (Hons) degree in Biochemistry and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Microbiology. She is currently a Lecturer in Human Physiology and Medical Microbiology in the School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal as well as a faculty member and research supervisor at the HIV Pathogenesis Programme.Dr Mkhwanazi is interested in understanding the host-pathogen interactions, particularly those involving antiviral immune responses linked to preventing or managing HIV infection. Additionally, she is interested in the antiviral screening of bioactive substances derived from natural products and secondary metabolites from endophytic fungi. Her work aims to produce an HIV cure by utilising the antiviral properties of natural chemicals. Her areas of interest include microbiology, virology, immunology, medication development and screening, and interactions between viruses and hosts. Six honours and five master’s degree students have graduated with her. At present, she supervises four master’s and four doctoral students. She has co-authored a total of twenty peer-reviewed articles. She has reviewed five manuscripts for Wiley, Frontiers, Dove Press, and MDPI Journal through peer review.She is a supervisor and researcher at the Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence consortium.