Research focus

I am an expert in nanodrug delivery systems and pharmaceutical nanotechnology, with a strong track record in postgraduate training, interdisciplinary research, and translational drug discovery. I lead the Bio-Inspired Drug Discovery Lab at Stellenbosch University. 

Africa carries a disproportionate burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Yet, many promising therapeutic molecules fail to reach clinical use due to poor bioavailability, safety concerns, and limited local translational capacity. Additionally, advanced drug delivery technologies are often developed outside African contexts, which limits their affordability, accessibility, and relevance to regional health priorities.

The Bio-Inspired Drug Discovery Lab (Bio-IDD) is an interdisciplinary research programme based in the Department of Physiological Sciences, integrating pharmaceutical sciences, nanotechnology, materials science, and biomedical research.