Mass Spectrometry of Small Molecules: LC-MSPresenter: Dr Marietjie StanderMarietjie obtained her PhD in Chemistry in 1999 at North-West University under Prof Piet Steyn where she acquired her first experience on LC-MS. She did a postdoc at Stellenbosch University on mycotoxin research and was appointed Applications Specialist by Microsep in 2001.

In 2003 she moved back to the Western Cape to become an Analytical Chemist for Synexa Life Sciences and in 2005 she took up her current position at Stellenbosch University where she manages the Mass Spectrometry Unit.

Mass Spectrometry of Small Molecules: LC-MSPresenter: Mr Malcolm TaylorMalcolm started out as an analytical chemist at Mintek, Johannesburg in 1986. He obtained a Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Pretoria in 1994 and a Diploma in Datametrics from Unisa in 1996. His work at Mintek involved routine analysis of samples from the mining and chemical industries, as well as research into the application of a range of techniques including atomic absorption spectrometry, ICP-OES/MS and XRF for trace analysis.

From 2008-11 he worked as a research analyst at Shimoda Biotech in George where he developed and validated numerous methods using HPLC, LC-MS and GC-MS to pharmaceutical and biological samples. He gained significant experience in the application of different sample preparation techniques including precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction to biological samples such as urines, blood and plasma generated during various drug trials conducted at Onderstepoort. He is currently working as a Senior Analyst in the LC-MS Laboratory of the Mass Spectrometry Unit at the Central Analytical Facilities (CAF) at Stellenbosch University.

Mass Spectrometry of Small Molecules: LC-MSPresenter: Mr Erick van SchalkwykErick started working as a temp at Synexa Life Sciences in 2012 and acquiredfirst experience on LC-MS. Started working full time at Hortec in 2013 as anLC-MS analyst. Acquired MSc in Biochemistry in 2016 at StellenboschUniversity. Started working in current position as LC-MS analyst at CAF(LC-MS Lab) in 2016.

Maré graduated with a PhD in 2005 under Prof Marina Rautenbach at Stellenbosch University using mostly LC-MS in his research into natural and synthetic peptides. He was appointed proteomic platform manager and application specialist at the Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research (CPGR) in 2007.

During his time at the CPGR he gained further experience in sample preparation related to proteomics as well as proteomic analysis – both qualitative and quantitative. In 2014 he moved back to Stellenbosch University to man the Proteomics laboratory. The MS unit consists of 2 Orbitrap based instruments, an Orbitrap Velos and a Fusion coupled to nano-LC systems. Both systems represent the state of the art in proteomic data acquisition.

Mass Spectrometry Based Proteomics (Sept 2017)Presenter: Dr Maré Vlok

Lucky is an experimental Analytical Chemist with a Master’s Degree in Analytical Chemistry obtained at Stellenbosch University in 2009. He has acquired extensive experience and know-how in GC-MS in the last 15 years as Analytical Chemist in the employ of the ARC, KWV, CSIR and Stellenbosch University (SU).

His research interest is in chromatographic method development and validation. Currently he is employed as a Senior Analyst at the Central Analytical Facilities (CAF) at SU, managing the GC-MS Division of the Mass Spectrometry Unit.

Mass Spectrometry of Small Molecules: GC-MSPresenter: Mr Lucky Mokwena

Jaco is an organic chemist with a keen research interest in the application of NMR to solve various chemistry research questions. He completed his PhD in Organic Chemistry (2007-Bruker prize) at The University of the Free State. He then worked 3 years at Farmovs Parexel International, doing LC-MS/MS quantification of drugs in human plasma.

As manager of the NMR Unit he is involved in the repair and maintenance of the NMR instruments, development of new methods for clients and is available for consultation and experimental design with clients, tailored to their needs. He also runs the in house Circular Dichroism Spectropolarimeter and integrates the results with NMR data to provide absolute stereochemistry information on molecules. He is also involved in the running, consultation and setup of Solid State NMR experiments for external clients.

Solution State NMRPresenter: Dr Jaco Brand

Flow Cytometry and Cell SortingPresenter: Ms Rozanne AdamsRozanne is a flow cytometrist with a very strong interest in the immune system and epigenetics. For her MSc, which she completed in 2012, she focused on the immune profile of infants and optimised an 8-colour flow cytometry assay for this purpose. She is now busy with a PhD, which still focuses on immune responses.

She joined CAF in 2012 as an analyst and has experience in a wide variety of flow cytometry applications, such as multi-colour analysis, cell sorting, cell cycle and ploidy analysis, apoptosis assays and bacterial viability assays.

Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy Confocal and Super-resolution Microscopy

Presenter: Ms Lize EngelbrechtLize joined the CAF Fluorescence Microscopy Unit in 2011 and took over the role as manager in 2012. She has an MSc in Physiological Sciences, where her main focus was the regeneration of skeletal muscle after injury and the role of satellite cells in this repair process.

She has expertise in primary cell culture, multiple-colour immunocytochemistry, and various flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy applications. She is currently focusing on implementation and advancement of fluorescence techniques, including correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) and super-resolution microscopy.

Confocal and Super-resolution MicroscopyPresenter: Ms Dumisile LumkwanaDumisile is a cell biologist who joined CAF as an analyst in January 2014. She successfully completed her MSc on identifying appropriate attachment factors in isolated adult rat cardiomyocyte culture at Stellenbosch University in December 2013.

She is currently enrolled for a PhD with the focus on cell death during Alzheimer’s disease, where she applies several microscope techniques including super-resolution and correlative light and electron microscopy. She also focuses on developing protocols for TEM/CLEM application for different cell and tissue types.

Madelaine is a biologist with experience in biological and mineralogical research and various diverse fields. She worked for 15 years in the geological industry and has taken on the challenge in the SEM unit of Stellenbosch University.

Her own research interests are in the Palynological diversity in the Oxalis hirtaspecies in the Cape floral region and she’s currently focusing on the anatomical and elemental survey in the reproductive apple bud. She also focuses on developing protocols for the SEM and TEM application for different types of materials.

Correlative Light and Electron MicroscopyPresenter: Ms Madelaine Frazenburg

Correlative Light and Electron MicroscopyPresenter: Ms Elrika Harmzen-PretoriusElrika joined the CAF Electron Microscopy unit early in 2017. She has an MSc in Polymer Science and is currently finishing her PhD in Polymer science, where her main focus is the synthesis of functional polymeric nanoparticles and various applications thereof. One of the applications are templatingPickering emulsions for capsule formation and the encapsulation of live bacteria.

Currently she is focusing on using her polymer background to optimize visualization of nanomaterials and develop various applications for correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM).

Introduction to X-ray Micro- and Nano-CTPresenter: Mr Stephan le RouxStephan is a geologist with a mine rehabilitation and environmental geochemistry background. He completed his MSc in 2012 at Stellenbosch University.

After his studies he started as a NRF Intern at the CAF CT Scanner Facility where he is now permanently employed as an analyst. Currently he is focusing on using his roots as a geologist to find and develop various applications for Micro-CT in the geological sciences.

Nucleic Acid Preparation, QC and Library building for Next Generation Sequencing

Presenter: Ms Alvera VorsterAlvera is a senior analyst in the DNA sequencing unit in the Central Analytical Facilities. She qualified with an MSc in Medical Microbiology in the year 2000.

Following her qualification she worked as a senior technical officer in the field of human genetics. Her primary focus was on cancer genetics, whilst she has a particular interest in the genetic determinants of skeletal dysplasia. She joined the DNA Sequencing Unit at the start of March 2017 and is responsible for the massively parallel sequencing service on the Ion Torrent S5 and Proton platforms.

Nucleic Acid Preparation, QC and Library building for Next Generation Sequencing

Presenter: Mr Carel van HeerdenCarel has been involved in sequencing for the past 20 years with Next Gen Sequencing being part of the mix for the last 6 years. After finishing his MSc in human genetics he had a short stint working as a researcher at the ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute before coming back to Stellenbosch to manage the DNA sequencing facility.

In addition to managing the DNA sequencing unit he is currently doing a PhD looking at genetic resistance of grapevine to fungal pathogens, but he is also involved in several other research projects ranging from human Exome sequencing to microsatellite development for fish. He has a passion for service and good technique. “You cannot do good research if you don’t have good data” is one of his moto’s.

Vicon neuromechanical analysis Noraxon mobile neuromechanical analysis

Presenter: Dr John CockcroftJohn is the managing staff scientist at the unit for Human Movement Analysis within Stellenbosch University’s Central Analytical Facilities.

His main area of expertise is in musculoskeletal biomechanics research using optical and inertial motion capture technologies, electromyography, force and pressure mapping and mathematical modelling techniques. John’s current research interests include wearable sensor systems, computational modelling and motor control theory.

Vicon neuromechanical analysis Noraxon mobile neuromechanical analysis

Presenter: Ms Madelein DreyerMadelein Dreyer is an analyst at Central Analytical Facilities unit for Human Movement Analysis. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechatronic engineering from Stellenbosch University in 2011 after which she undertook permanent employment in the industrial automation and shipbuilding industries.

In 2013 she enrolled in a master’s degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Cape Town with the goal to pursue a career in scientific research and development in this field. Her primary areas of interest include surface electromyography (sEMG), neuromotor control, biomedical signal processing and biomechanics.

Vicon neuromechanical analysis Noraxon mobile neuromechanical analysis

Presenter: Ms Cara MillsCara Mills is a biomedical engineer with a passion for human movement and has been working in the biomedical field since 2013. After completing her schooling in Pretoria a keen interest in mathematics and science steered her to attend Stellenbosch University where she attained a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. She worked in digital broadcasting before her passion for sports and a curiosity about the functioning of the human body lead her to pursue a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Cape Town focussing on motor control, specifically Electromyography.

During her postgraduate studies she also contributed to the development of several medical devices and worked for a start-up focussing on the development of a TB diagnostic device and the associated research. She hopes that in her current role as an analysist in the unit for Human Movement Analysis she will continue to actively engage with new technologies in field of Biomedical and Sports Engineering and contribute to broadening the understanding of the human body and how it functions.

Solution ICP-MS in Environmental analysis of major and trace elements

Presenter: Ms Riana RossouwRiana obtained her Master’s degree in Geochemistry from Stellenbosch University (SU) in 2000. During 2001 she was a research assistant within the Earth Sciences department of SU. After completing a course in ICP Spectrometry, she was put in charge of the developing ICP-AES laboratory with the Central Analytical Facilities in 2002. She has since then grown her expertise in ICP-AES, ICP-MS, laser ablation ICP-MS & HPLC ICP-MS.

Due to her expertise on the Agilent ICP-MS instrument and software, the laboratory has been included in the worldwide network of Agilent Partner Laboratories. Her research interest is the measurement of trace elements in seawater and its role in climate modelling.

Practical XRF SpectrometryPresenter: Ms Mareli GrobbelaarMareli is a geologist specializing in facies modelling, sedimentology. She completed her MSc degree in 2015 at Stellenbosch University. Towards the end of her studies she joined the ICP-XRF unit at CAF where she is now permanently employed as the XRF analyst and overseeing the mineral separation laboratories for their Geochronology service.

Currently she is using her geological background to develop the XRF service for optimal results on a wider range of geological sample types.

Introduction to U-Pb Geochronology and data processing

Presenter: Dr Jeanne TaylorJeanne joined the ICP-MS and XRF unit as a part-time geochronology analyst within the Central Analytical Facilities in January 2017. She obtained a PhD in Geology from Stellenbosch University in 2012, followed by a three year, Alexander von Humboldt postdoctoral fellowship at the Geochronology and Radiogenic Isotope Laboratory at the Goethe University of Frankfurt.

She has expertise in granulite-facies metamorphism and partial melting of the Earth’s crust, radiogenic isotope geochronology (U-Pb, Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd), as well as Archaean metamorphism and geodynamics. Jeanne’s current research interests include the behaviour of radiogenic isotopes in accessory phases during polymetamorphism, and Archaean magmatism and crustal evolution in the Ancient Gneiss Complex of Swaziland.