Dr
Kamogelo
Sepotokele
My name is Kamogelo Sepotokele and I was a science student at Rhodes University. I majored in Microbiology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry. The most interesting thing about science, in my opinion, is that you will never have learned everything, even if you study forever because new species are being discovered all the time as well as new developments in the research industry. My main passion lies in Microbiology. I enjoy learning about microorganisms simply because they are all around us and there is just so much to learn about them. I love learning about how these microorganisms interact with their environment as well as with other organisms including humans.
I studied Microbiology up to honors level and my honors research involved expressing proteins found in one of the RNA's present in a certain virus (Helicoverpa armigera stunt virus). I enjoyed working independently in the lab.
I was awarded a R 25 000 bursary by my supervisor for my honors project beginning of that year.
I am currently doing my PhD as a student of the University of Pretoria as well as the CSIR. I obtained my MSc from the University of Pretoria in 2020.
I am interested in the study of pathogenic microbes and how they affect human and animal health. There is an increasing need to develop new treatments as there are no effective vaccines and treatments that are currently available for most of the diseases that these parasites and pathogens cause. I would like to gain more understanding about the biology of these microorganisms so that I can be involved in improving the biomedical research about them so that more effective treatments and vaccines can be developed to help treat and possibly cure these diseases and therefore improve human and animal health as a whole. I am passionate about discovering new ways to combat disease and develop treatments that are more effective against pathogens without causing any additional harm in the process.
I am currently in the field of plant biotechnology focusing on using biopharming to develop vaccine candidates for animal pathogens in the poultry industry. I believe this novel field will allow us to make headway in vaccine development not only with animal pathogens, but perhaps human pathogens as well.
My current project involves developing a plant-based vaccine for Infectious Bronchitis Coronavirus and testing its efficacy in chickens.