Dr. Greg Smith - UCT Research Group

GROUP MEMBERS
Post Doctoral Fellow
Emma B. Hager B.Sc., B.Sc.(Hons), M.Sc., PhD University of Cape Town, 2011 Research Area: Metallodendrimers, Water-soluble catalysts, Bioorganometallics Emma was born and grew up in Cape Town. She obtained her BSc in chemistry and archaeology at UCT in 2003 and went on to complete her Honours, MSc and PhD degrees in chemistry. Her research interests are varied but lie mainly in the broad field of inorganic chemistry. Over the years she has carried out projects in the fields of kidney stone research, organometallic synthesis and bioinorganic chemistry.
She is currently focusing her interest on the use of multinuclear transition metal complexes as catalysts for organic transformations. There is a special emphasis on the use of water-soluble catalysts as an aspect of green chemistry. Emma is an avid reader of crime and forensic novels, and also enjoys movies, music, braais and wine-tasting.

PhD Students
Prinessa Chellan B.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. University of Cape Town, 2009 Research Area: Multimetallic PGM Complexes, Photodynamic therapy, Anticancer/Antimalarial Activity, Catalysis Prinessa grew up on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast. She obtained her B.Sc. from the University of Cape Town and completed her M.Sc. in organometallic chemistry in 2009. Her MSc project entailed the synthesis and characterization of thiosemicarbazone palladium(II) complexes for biological and catalytic applications.
She is now pursuing her doctoral studies within the group and the focus of her project is the synthesis of multimetallic/multinuclear PGM macromolecules prepared from porphyrins, thiosemicarbazones and other macromolecular Schiff base ligands which can be used for biological and catalytic applications.

Preshendren Govender B.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. University of Cape Town, 2010 Research Area: Metallodendrimers, Anticancer Activity, Bioorganometallics 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. in 2007, B.Sc (Hons) in 2008 and MSc in 2010 at the University of Cape Town. He is currently busy with his PhD at the same institution.
He is working on developing new bioorganometallic ruthenium-arene metallodendrimers as anticancer agents. His other interests include watching rugby, football, Fifa 11, fast cars and spending time with friends and family.

Guillaume Greyling B.Sc., B.Sc.(Hons), M.Sc., University of Stellenbosch, 2010 Research Area: Radiopharmaceuticals Guillaume was born in Cape Town and matriculated from Durbanville High school in 2004. He completed his BSc, BSc Hons. and MSc at the University of Stellenbosch. In conjunction with his studies in science he pursued studies in the social sciences. These included psychology, ancient culture studies, linguistics and a qualification in photography from the Stellenbosch Academy of photography and design.
He studied French and attended a workshop on the chemistry of perfumes in France. He was also part of the 2008 Residential Chemistry Training Experience in England. His hobbies include fencing, jogging, photography and cooking.

Tebello Mahamo B.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc., University of Cape Town, 2008 Research Area: Metallocycloalkanes, Catalysis Tebello was born in Qoaling (Maseru, Lesotho). She completed her C.O.S.C. at St Stephens High School, Mohale’s Hoek, Lesotho and went on to complete the International Baccalaureate diploma from Machabeng, International School of Lesotho in 2000. She was awarded a B.Sc degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry followed by a B.Sc (Hons) degree in Chemistry from the University of Cape Town in 2005.
She did M.Sc (2007) in synthetic organometallic chemistry under the supervision of Prof John Moss and Dr Gregory Smith, also at the University of Cape Town. She is currently working on metallacycloalkanes as model intermediates in catalytic reactions, under the joint supervision of Dr Gregory Smith (University of Cape Town), Prof Dr Koop Lammertsma (Vrije University Amsterdam) as well as Prof Selwyn Mapolie (Stellenbosch University).

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 supervision by the late 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 biomedicine. Other interests include hiking, travelling, music, reading and apologetics.

Tameryn Stringer B.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. University of Cape Town, 2010 Research Area: Multinuclear PGM Complexes, Antimalarial Agents, Bioorganometallics 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 which she continued as part of her M.Sc. research.
Tameryn plans to pursue her doctoral research on the synthesis of Multinuclear PGM complexes as potential antimalarial agents. In her spare time she enjoys movies, music and the outdoors.

MSC Students
Muneebah Adams B.Sc., B.Sc.(Hons), University of Cape Town, 2010 Research Area: Palladium/Platinum Thiosemicarbazones, Antimalarial Activity, Bioorganometallics Muneebah was born in Cape Town, South Africa. She matriculated from Mondale High School in 2006. She attended the University of Cape Town where she completed her B.Sc. in 2009, followed by her B.Sc.(Hons) in 2010. Research project will focus on the synthesis and testing of thiosemicarbazone-containing complexes for antimalarial activity. Other interests include reading, mainly fantasy, and listening to music.

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.

Leah Matsinha B.Sc., B.Sc.(Hons), Midlands State University, 2009 Research Area: Water-soluble catalysts, Olefin transformations Leah holds a BSc Honors from Midlands State University, Gweru ,Zimbabwe. She attended Fletcher High School also in Gweru(2004). For Her Bsc Honors project she worked on reducing the effects of Acid Mine Drainage by using coal ash. Coal ash increased the pH of the effluent water and adsorbed Heavy metals solubilised in the water.
For her Msc she is going to research on Design and Synthesis of water-soluble catalysts as applied to olefin transformation reactions. Leah is a very prayerful individual, very sociable and easy to get along with. Hobbies include watching movies, listening to gospel music and being around fun people.

Richard Payne B.Sc., B.Sc.(Hons), University of Cape Town, 2009 Research Area: Metallodendrimers, Anticancer Activity, Bioorganometallics Richard was born in Cape Town, South Africa. He attended Herzlia High School and matriculated in 2005. He completed his B. Sc. at the University of Cape Town in 2008, and his B. Sc. (Hons.) at the University of Cape Town in 2009.
For his B. Sc. (Hons.) project, he investigated the development of a conjugate vaccine against pneumococcal type 6B disease, with Assoc. Prof. Neil Ravenscroft as his supervisor and Dr. Seanette Wilson as co-supervisor. His current research project focuses on the synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of multinuclear organometallic metal complexes based on a poly(propylene imine) dendritic scaffold. Other interests include watching Formula 1, cricket, rugby and movies and reading murder mystery novels.