Banothile C.E. Makhubela
B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc., University of Cape Town, 2008
B.Sc., University of Zululand, 2005

Research Area:
Metal-containing Polymers and Dendrimers, Catalysis

Banothile was born in Mzinti (Mpumalanga Province, South Africa) and matriculated from Nelspruit Private College in 2002. She was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Mathematics by the University of Zululand (Kwa-Dlangezwa) in 2005. She obtained a BSc. Honours in Chemistry in 2006, as well as a M.Sc. in synthetic organometallic chemistry all from the University of Cape Town in 2008 (under the supervision of Prof. John R. Moss and Dr. Gregory S. Smith). Banothile’s proclivity for synthetic organometallic chemistry led her to pursue doctoral studies in this field. She is currently working on the synthesis of metal-containing polymers and metallodendrimers, with applications in catalysis and drug delivery. Other interests include, taking walks, travelling, watching movies, listening to music and reading.

Nathan C. Antonels
B.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons), University of Cape Town, 2007

Research Area:
Metallodendrimers, Catalysis

Nathan was born in Cape Town, South Africa. He attended Parow High School where he matriculated in 2001. He then went on and completed both his B.Sc (2006) and Honours (2007) degrees in chemistry at the University of Cape Town. He is currently enrolled as a Masters student at the University of Cape Town and is conducting research into the synthesis, characterization and testing of rhodium metallodendrimers as catalyst precursors in the process of hydroformylation. Other than this, he is involved in his church community as a youth leader and is a member of their music ministry. He also loves listening to various genres of music, cooking, going for drives on the picturesque Cape Town nature routes and spending time with friends and family.

Prinessa Chellan
B.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons), University of Cape Town, 2007

Research Area:
Palladium Thiosemicarbazones, Anticancer/Antimalarial Activity

Prinessa grew up on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast. She obtained her B.Sc. from the University of Cape Town and is currently completing her M.Sc. in organometallic chemistry. Her project entails the synthesis and characterization of thiosemicarbazone palladium complexes for biological and catalytic applications.

Preshendren Govender
B.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons), University of Cape Town, 2008

Research Area:
Metallodendrimers, Anticancer Activity

Preshen was born in Durban, South Africa. He moved to Cape Town in 2001, where he completed his secondary education in 2003. He completed his B.Sc. at the University of Cape Town in 2007 and is currently busy with his M.Sc. at the same institution. He is currently working on the synthesis of metal-containing arene derivatives based on a poly(propyleneimine) dendrimer scaffold and their activity against ovarian cancer cells. His other interests include watching rugby, driving fast cars, spending time with friends and family.

Tawfeeq Ismail
B.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons), University of Cape Town, 2008

Research Area:
Thiosemicarbazones, Radiolabelling, Radiopharmaceuticals

Tawfeeq was born in Cape Town, South Africa. He attended Livingstone High School and matriculated in 2003. He completed his B.Sc. at the University of Cape Town in 2007, and his B.Sc.(Hons.) at the University of Cape Town in 2008. For his B.Sc.(Hons) project, he investigated the synthesis of ferrocenylthiosemicarbazones and their evaluation as transition-metal cation sensors, with Dr. Greg Smith and Prof. Alan Hutton as co-supervisor. His current research project focuses on the synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals, by radiolabelling of various thiosemicarbazones. Other outside interests include watching soccer (particularly English Premier League soccer and mainly the mighty Manchester United), Heroes, Prison Break, Grey’s Anatomy, The Big Bang Theory, Gossip Girl, American Dad, How I Met Your Mother, etc….and movies. He is a religious person, and a funny guy to boot.

Tameryn Stringer
B.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons), University of Cape Town, 2008

Research Area:
Palladium/Platinum Thiosemicarbazones, Anticancer/Antimalarial Activity

Tameryn was born in Cape Town, South Africa. She matriculated from Garlandale Senior Secondary School in 2003. In 2007 she obtained her B.Sc. in chemistry at the University of Cape Town. She also obtained her B.Sc. (Honours) degree in chemistry in 2008, part of which involved the study of the structural and biological properties of multimeric thiosemicarbazones and continues to pursue research in this field as part of her M.Sc. degree. In her spare time she enjoys movies, music and the outdoors.