Science whiz jets off to Germany
Europe beckons former Unizulu student.
WHEN she was young, Sithandiwe Mazibuko did not want to become a lawyer, veterinarian or teacher – she wanted to be a Biochemist robed in a lab coat.
With a keen love for all things involving science, mathematics and biology, Sithandiwe knew she wanted to do scientific work, which includes all three subjects.
Today, at 31 years of age, she is not only fulfilling her dream of conducting technical research, but she has been picked as one of 10 candidates out of 121 applicants worldwide, to do ground-breaking work at the esteemed Helmholtz Zentrum München facility in Germany.
She was the only one selected from Africa.
Leaving for Europe next month, Sithandiwe will study compounds in Rooibos to determine if it can enhance insulin resistance to treat type-2 diabetes and obesity.
‘Using insulin resistant cells, my research demonstrated that extracts produced from Rooibos and the compounds aspalathin, orientin, isoorientin and rutin improved insulin sensitivity by regulating various genes involved in cellular glucose and lipid metabolism,’ explained Sithandiwe.
She titled the research project ‘Natural compounds offer new treatments for insulin resistance and diabetes’.
‘As a young upcoming researcher, this postdoctoral programme could fast track my research and career locally and internationally,’ she said.
‘It could also establish collaboration between the South African Medical Research Council and the Helmholtz Zentrum München.
‘I am hoping that skills that I acquire at Helmholtz will in future help postgraduate students through the current SAMRC-DDP University of Zululand (Unizulu) postgraduate programme.’
The brainy researcher has a remarkable list of qualifications from Unizulu – a degree in BSc Biochemistry, BSc Honours in Biochemistry, Masters with Merit in Biochemistry and a PhD in Biochemistry.
She is currently based in Cape Town at the South African Medical Research Councils Diabetes Discovery Platform as a Senior Scientist, already focusing on reversing insulin resistance.
Also married with two boys, Sithandiwe’s advice to youngsters is to ‘keep going and never give up’.
‘Follow your dreams, stay motivated and be passionate about what you do – the road to success is not easy, but possible.’
