Depika Dwarka

I have an undergraduate degree in BSc (Microbial Biotechnology), Honours and Masters in Biotechnology and PhD In Biology. My area of technical expertise are mammalian cell culture, animal and clinical trails, Drug discovery and electron microscopy

• Project Manager: Research Development Clinical trials (May 2023- currently), Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg-responsible for research implementation support across digital health, communicable and non-communicable diseases. Support the development and maintenance of a relevant strategy for research development, provide technical / strategic support to internal and external stakeholders, clinical staff management, research administration and implementation (HIV and Hypertension trials) including protocol development, information sheets and data collection systems as well as conduct all the regulatory processes (i.e., HREC, DoH approvals, other stakeholder approvals)

• Post-doctoral Research Fellow (February 2019 – April 2023), Department of Biotechnology & Food Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology- responsible for supervising post graduate students, actively publishing research articles, grant writing, procurement of consumables and management of the cell culture facilities as well as training of postgraduate students. Actively involved in designing and implementing new project as well as collaboration with national and international associates

• Lecturer (BTech Techniques course) (February - March 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022), Department of Biotechnology & Food Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology-Lecturing and conducting hands on training sessions with students (Biotechnology, Food technology and Horticulture) around animal cell culture, microscopy, and basic analytical techniques.

• Lecturer (Biology I-2020, 2021, 2022), Department of Biotechnology & Food Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology. Lecture planning, preparation, and delivering as well as conducting practicals. Setting and marking of tests and exams.

• Post-doctoral Research Fellow (April 2017-January 2019), School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal-responsible for mentoring of students, publishing of articles, grant writing, training of students in phytochemistry.

• Assessment Officer (March 2017-June 2017), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Faculty of Medicine- responsible for compiling tests and examination scripts for the 2nd year MBChB

• Managing Director (December 2014-December 2016), Execu-rose agricultural supply- Responsible for company's business operations, liaise with stakeholders, drive strategic company growth, and accountable for the overall performance of the business including customer sales, support, staffing, budget achievement and procurement.

Tertiary education

Course 1 : BSc (Microbial Biotechnology (2003 - 2006)

Institution : University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

Post graduate qualifications

Course 1 : Bachelor of Technology: Biotechnology (2007)

Institution :Durban University of Technology (DUT)

Dissertation : Comparative analysis of polymerase chain reactions products via denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis for the profiling of nitrifying bacterial populations in activated sludge

Course 2 : Master of Technology: Biotechnology (2008 - 2012)

Institution : Durban University of Technology (DUT)

Dissertation : Anti-carcinogenic activity of Centella asiatica and Elytropappus rhinocerotis on a human colon cancer cell line

Course 3 : Doctor of Philosophy: Biology (2013 - 2016)

Institution : University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

Dissertation : Structural, chemical, and physiological investigations of bilirubin found in seed arils of Strelitzia nicolai