Qualification: D.Phil (Theoretical Physics)
Present position: Lecturer in Biochemistry, University
of the Western Cape
Leader of Protein Structure/Function Research group
Teaching areas:
Inter-disciplinary teaching linking biology to the mathematical,
computational and physical sciences is essential to the future
of my research; I have developed a number of new courses in these
areas since joining UWC, the more recent of which are Web-based.
I am involved in discussions aimed at setting up a taught MSc
course in Structural Biology involving UWC, UCT and Stellenbosch
University.
I am an enthusiastic proponent of Web-based and computer-based teaching: I am currently putting together a proposal to private industry for funding to acquire a site-license for the Mathematica™ software package, which I believe has the potential to make a significant impact on the teaching of mathematics at UWC. I am also interested in developing distance-based learning, with which I have already had some experience as part of the C programming course referred to previously; in particular for continuing education for part-time students in the commercial sector.
Research areas and current Projects:
My group's research currently focuses on elucidation of the
function of the DWNN family of proteins, a novel family recently
identified in the Biochemistry Department at UWC, by determination
of molecular structures using NMR and X-ray diffraction, molecular
modelling and identification and analysis of intermolecular interactions.
The group has extensive collaborations with groups in the UK (Prof
Iain Campbell in Oxford for NMR and Prof Tom Blundell in Cambridge
for molecular modelling and X-ray), facilitated by a linkage programme
funded by the Royal Society of London and the NRF. A BIAcore instrument
valued at R800 000 for the analysis of inter-molecular interactions
was installed at UWC as a National Facility in 2000, following
a national applications process in which UWC's bid was ranked
first. Funding for the group's research comes from the NRF, the
Royal Society of London, the Cancer Association of South Africa
and the Department of Trade and Industry under the THRIP programme.
Longer term goals include development of research in rational drug design, with potential spinning-off of a company specialising in recombinant protein expression and possibly drug design.