A short summary of Malefu's research:

The role of a medical microbiology laboratory is to provide clinicians with laboratory results on the likely causes of disease and what treatments are likely to work against the infectious agents. Infectious diseases such as meningitis are associated with a high mortality in Africa however pathogens are unidentified in majority of the cases and thus delaying administration of appropriate treatment. My research focus is to explore new and interesting technologies, including clinical metagenomic sequencing, for the diagnosis of infectious diseases and how these methods can be used to give clinically important information such as mechanisms of drug resistance identifiable in the infectious agents that cause these diseases. Clinical metagenomic sequencing, an unusual approach in Africa, is a powerful tool for the identification of any organism directly in a clinical sample regardless of whether it has a DNA or RNA genome. These can include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Research for Impact is one of the core strategic themes in SU`s Vision 2020. How does your research relate to that?

The ability to identify any organism indiscriminately in a single sample and test can be useful for the detection of unusual or novel pathogens directly from clinical specimens of unresolved clinical cases.

In the ever-changing environment of academia, what are some of the obstacles early career researchers are faced with?   

The past 2 years have been challenging to all and early career academics did not fare any better. We have noted an overwhelming shift in research towards understanding and controlling COVID-19. This shift meant resources were also allocated towards work that is related to COVID-19. This affected our access to funding as well as manuscript publications as priority was given to COVID-19 research. Therefore, these obstacles and delays can hamper one’s progress in their academic career.

What would you regard as the most important aspects to consider to effectively support early career researchers?            

Access to funding. It is very challenging as an early career researcher to get substantial funding to support our research activities and often have to rely on collaborations for such access. While this is great for one’s career development, the research focus of such collaborations doesn’t always align with one’s own research.    

What excites you about your work?   

 I get to explore research topics that have a direct impact on the well-being of the public. We are situated in one of the major facilities that provide pathological services to the Western Cape public and so we get the opportunity to see our research translated from the bench-top directly to the patient. This is what inspires me to continue doing what I do and to always strive for better.

When you're not in the lab, library or in the field conducting research, what do you do to unwind?

 I "Netflix and chill" with a bottle of cabernet sauvignon. I indulge in any activity that brings me peace and tranquility and strongly advocate for self-care any chance one can get.

What advice, if any, would you look to impart to future early career academics?

 I am still very young in this journey, but I have learned to be persistent; the opportunities will not always be available, and you will get more Nos than Yeses, it is all part of the process. Most importantly, get a mentor(s) who will guide you through this journey. My mentor is the blueprint for my career development, and I often think if I can achieve even just 10% of what she has achieved thus far in her career, I will be very satisfied.

Connect with Malefu and her work!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malefu-moleleki-95113752/