Ms Tanith Fester

I completed a BSc in Genetics and Human Anatomy & Physiology (2023) and a BSc(Med)(Hons) in Medical Cell Biology (2024) at the University of Cape Town. I was awarded a NRF Scholarship for my Honours degree where I completed a project under the supervision of Prof. Sandrine Lecour and Dr. Carmelita Abrahams, based at the Cape Heart Institute. This project explored the effects of doxorubicin (a chemotherapeutic drug) and breast cancer on high density lipoprotein (HDL) composition in a mouse model. Using proteomics performed by D-CYPHR, we wished to identify HDL-associated proteins that could be regulated to mitigate cardiotoxicity developed after completion of cancer treatment.

After obtaining my Honours degree, I applied for the HSRC internship to gain work experience and hone my laboratory skills. Thus, I have joined H3D as part of a 2-year programme where I will be training and assisting across the biology platforms alongside my mentor, Raygaana Jacobs (AMR Biology unit).  I hope to become a more well-rounded scientist and gain knowledge in the drug-discovery pipeline as well as learn more about challenges regarding the treatment of different pathogens of interest in an African population. I would like to become an efficient medical laboratory professional and am considering the possibility of a Masters project.