College of Graduate Studies
Dr Xolisa Nxele
| College of Graduate Studies | |
|---|---|
| Post-Doctoral Research Fellow | |
| E-mail: | nxelex@unisa.ac.za |
Other
Dr. Xolisa Nxele is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). Her PhD in Biotechnology was sponsored and conducted at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) with UWC as her host university. Her Honours and Master's degrees were equally obtained at UWC in Biotechnology, while her undergraduate degree was obtained in Medical Bioscience at the same institution. During her Hons and MSc years, she researched the effects of abiotic stress on Sorghum bicolor and Sugar Graze, respectively, and how they overcome these stresses, to develop plants that can leverage these stress response mechanisms. Her PhD research was tailored towards identifying biomarkers that could detect diabetic cardiomyopathy at its asymptomatic stage. She joined the Tandetron lab in November 2025. She is currently involved in a joint project with the University of South Africa (UNISA) and NRF iThemba Laboratories in Cape Town under the mentorship of Prof. Malek Maaza. As part of the UNESCO Unisa Africa Chair, her project focuses on the production of nanomaterials using green chemistry, with possible applications including biosensors, bioremediation, and nano-fertilizers. Dr. Nxele is committed to using her academic background and research experience to foster research that addresses South Africa’s problems through science, by aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), eradicating hunger, and providing access to good health and well-being.
UNISA contact person: Prof Malik Maaza