Ms Thabiso Mphephu

Thabiso holds a BSc in Microbiology and Biochemistry from the University of Venda, along with a BSc (Hons) and MSc in Molecular Biology from Stellenbosch University.

Her Masters research project focused on establishing a diet-induced prediabetes and TB mouse model, where she tested a newly developed lead compound for its ability to inhibit the pro-inflammatory responses associated with Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, and upregulate the Treg cell responses during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a diet-induced prediabetes mouse model during both the acute and chronic stages of infection. Her research expertise includes developing a TB mouse model and conducting animal model procedures such as welfare monitoring, husbandry, oral gavage/IP compound administration, euthanasia, aseptic dissection and organ collection. Cell Sorting, Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture maintenance and handling, Histopathology, and flow cytometry. She worked extensively in BSL-2, BSL-3 and animal specified pathogen free BSL-3 laboratory environments.

She Joined the TB Biology group at H3D in 2024 as a Senior Research Scientist, where she will be working on early-phase tuberculosis drug discovery and compound testing using murine models.