Buyani Ndlovu | Molecular and Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Mr. Buyani Ndlovu | Molecular and Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Buyani Ndlovu is a South African research scientist specializing in molecular biology, biotechnology, and microbiology. With a Ph.D. from the University of Cape Town, his groundbreaking doctoral work focused on developing plant-produced mRNA vaccines and novel expression vectors against avian viral diseases. Over the past decade, Buyani has honed a robust repertoire of molecular techniques and contributed significantly to academic research, teaching, and mentorship. He has held roles ranging from Research Scientist at Roche DIA to academic tutor and seminar organiser at UCT. His passion for scientific innovation is matched by his commitment to student development and community leadership. Through multiple scholarships and peer-reviewed publications, Buyani has demonstrated his academic excellence and research prowess. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences, highlighting his impact in both academia and applied science. A dedicated professional, he continues to push boundaries in vaccine research and recombinant protein expression technologies.

Profile

🎓 Education

Buyani Ndlovu holds a Ph.D. in Molecular & Cell Biology from the University of Cape Town, where he developed novel plant expression vectors and a plant-produced mRNA vaccine candidate against beak and feather disease virus. His MSc in Wine Biotechnology from Stellenbosch University focused on the identification and characterization of bacteriocins produced by wine-isolated LAB strains. He also completed a BSc Honours in Cell Biology and a BSc in Biological Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where his undergraduate research investigated seed desiccation sensitivity and shell deformities in abalone. He has consistently secured competitive scholarships throughout his academic journey, including the CSIR-IBS, PRF, and NRF Doctoral Innovation Scholarships. Buyani’s academic background reflects a consistent trajectory of scientific curiosity, methodical investigation, and a multidisciplinary approach to molecular sciences. His academic excellence is further supported by his attendance at international workshops, such as the Oomycete Bioinformatic Training Workshop at Virginia Tech, enhancing his global research perspective.

🧪 Experience

Buyani Ndlovu currently serves as Scientist II at Roche DIA’s Reagent Research and Design department in Cape Town, contributing to enzyme engineering within the MethylSeq 2025 Project. From 2019 to 2024, he worked at the University of Cape Town as a tutor and laboratory demonstrator in molecular and cell biology, guiding students across various academic levels. His professional journey also includes chairing postgraduate seminars and extensive leadership in residence management at multiple universities. His doctoral research involved cloning, sequencing, and gene expression analysis for vaccine development. He has previously worked with Genestwister Africa as a molecular biology intern and served as a laboratory demonstrator at UKZN. His roles have combined scientific innovation with administrative coordination, mentorship, and public speaking. Notably, he also engaged in field research at Kruger National Park and has consistently been involved in organisational roles within academic residences, showcasing strong leadership and interpersonal skills across his career.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Buyani Ndlovu is the recipient of numerous prestigious academic awards and research scholarships. These include the CSIR-IBS Doctoral Scholarship (ZAR 140,000/year), PRF Doctoral Scholarship (ZAR 55,000/year), and UCT Doctoral Scholarship (ZAR 20,000/year) from 2019 to 2022. He was also awarded the NRF Doctoral Innovation Scholarship (ZAR 110,000/year) in 2015–2016. His early academic promise was recognized through the Technology Innovation Agency Scholarship (ZAR 70,000/year) in 2011–2012 and the Cape Biotech Scholarship (ZAR 50,000) in 2010. He received the USDA Travel Award Fellowship and the WhiteSci Travel Award Scheme to present his research internationally. In addition to financial accolades, his leadership has been recognized through elected roles in academic and student governance. His continuous recognition by multiple institutions underlines both his scholarly achievements and potential for continued excellence in bioscience innovation. These honors have significantly supported his academic trajectory and helped position him as a leader in molecular research.

🔬 Research Focus

Buyani Ndlovu’s research focus lies at the intersection of molecular biology, biotechnology, and microbiology, particularly in the development of plant-based vaccines and novel gene expression systems. His doctoral research introduced innovative replicating plant virus vectors and a plant-derived mRNA vaccine candidate to combat beak and feather disease virus in parrots. He is experienced in DNA/RNA manipulation, recombinant protein expression in plants, bacteria, and mammalian cells, and molecular assay techniques including PCR, ELISA, and Western blotting. His research has broader implications for low-cost vaccine development and sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing using plant systems. Buyani has also contributed to plant-pathogen interaction studies, notably with Phytophthora cinnamomi, and is interested in functional genomics and synthetic biology. Currently, his work at Roche DIA involves enzyme engineering for diagnostic technologies. With his foundation in grant writing and research communication, he is well-placed to lead interdisciplinary projects that fuse molecular innovation with public health solutions.

âś… Conclusion

Buyani Ndlovu is a highly skilled research scientist with a rich background in molecular biology and biotechnology, marked by academic excellence, impactful research, and leadership. His contributions to plant-based vaccine development and molecular diagnostics highlight his scientific rigor and innovation. Combining technical proficiency with organizational and mentorship skills, he remains dedicated to advancing health sciences through cutting-edge research and collaborative engagement. With a vision to bridge academic knowledge and societal needs, Buyani aspires to transform lives through science. He stands out as a dynamic professional committed to excellence in research, teaching, and scientific leadership.

Publications

  • Immunogenicity of DNA, mRNA and Subunit Vaccines Against Beak and Feather Disease Virus

    2025-07-17 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Buyani Ndlovu; Albertha R. van Zyl; Dirk Verwoerd; Edward P. Rybicki; Inga I. Hitzerot

  • Generation of composite Persea americana (Mill.) (avocado) plants: A proof-of-concept-study

    PLOS ONE
    2017-10-20 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185896
    Part ofISSN: 1932-6203
    CONTRIBUTORS: S. Ashok Prabhu; Buyani Ndlovu; Juanita Engelbrecht; Noelani van den Berg

  • Screening, identification and characterization of bacteriocins produced by wine-isolated LAB strains

    Journal of Applied Microbiology
    2015-04 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1111/jam.12752
    Part of ISSN: 1364-5072
    CONTRIBUTORS: B. Ndlovu; H. Schoeman; C.M.A.P. Franz; M. du Toit

Monia Orciani | Stem cells | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Prof Dr. Monia Orciani | Stem cells | Best Researcher Award

 

Profile

Education

On January 23, 2004, she was awarded a PhD in Biomedical Biotechnology from the UniversitĂ  Politecnica delle Marche. In 2001, she obtained her qualification as a Professional Biologist from the same institution. She completed her degree in Biological Sciences on March 10, 2000, graduating with top honors (110/110 cum laude).

Her native language is Italian. She is also proficient in English at the C1 level across listening, reading, interaction, speaking, and writing. She achieved the LanguageCert Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Speaking) (Expert C1) on January 20, 2023.

Work experience

Since July 15, 2019, she has been serving as an Associate Professor in the scientific-disciplinary sector BIO/17 – Histology at the Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche. She obtained her qualification as a Second-Tier Professor in Applied Biology (SSD 05/F1) on April 4, 2017, and later achieved First-Tier Professor qualification in Histology (SSD 05/H2) on November 18, 2020. Previously, she was a confirmed Researcher in Histology at the same department from April 13, 2015, following an initial appointment as a non-confirmed Researcher from November 1, 2011, to April 13, 2015. Before that, she held a research fellowship from June 3, 2011, to November 1, 2011, focusing on the use of stem cells in regenerative medicine. From June 1, 2010, to May 31, 2011, she was a research grant holder investigating skin-derived stem cells and their clinical prospects in regenerative therapy at the Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine. Between November 1, 2003, and April 15, 2010, she conducted research on leukocyte ectoenzymes and their role in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of selected human diseases at the Department of Molecular Pathology and Innovative Therapies – Histology. From July 16, 2001, to July 15, 2003, she held a research fellowship focused on monoclonal antibodies for in vivo applications at the Institute of Biology and Genetics. Her early experience includes an internship at the Institute of Biology, Genetics, and Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Surgery, Turin, from May 1, 2000, to December 1, 2000.

Teaching Experience

Since the academic year 2022/23, she has been the course leader for Histology in the Medicine and Surgery (MedTech) degree programme at the UniversitĂ  Politecnica delle Marche.

Since 2019/20, she has held the position of Histology lecturer within the integrated course Human Morphological Sciences for the Dental Hygiene degree programme at the same university.

She has also taught Histology within the integrated Histology-Anatomy-Physiology course for the Medical Radiology Techniques for Imaging and Radiotherapy degree programme during the academic years 2016/17–2018/19 and again in 2022/23.

Since 2022/23, she has been responsible for teaching Histology within the Morphology and Histology integrated course for the Midwifery degree programme.

Since 2017/18, she has been a Tutor for AFP (Basic Sciences and First Aid Area) in the Medicine and Surgery degree programme.

She has also been involved in structured and cross-disciplinary teaching for the PhD in Human Health and Biomedical Sciences since 2017/18.

Since 2017/18, she has led an elective teaching activity (ADE) titled “Biotechnologies for the Study of Normal Human Histology” in the Medicine and Surgery degree programme.

From 2019/20 to 2021/22, she taught Histology for the Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics degree programme.

Between 2016/17 and 2017/18, she was the English Language course leader for the Medical Radiology Techniques for Imaging and Radiotherapy degree programme.

She is proficient in Microsoft Office and holds an Expert C1 Level LanguageCert Certificate in ESOL International (Speaking), awarded on 20 January 2023.

In the academic year 2018/19, she taught Histology within the Biomedical Sciences 1 integrated course for the Physiotherapy degree programme.

Between 2017/18 and 2018/19, she led a seminar-based Histology course for the Dietetics degree programme.

Since 2016/17, she has been responsible for a seminar-based Histology course in the Nursing degree programme at the Fermo campus.

Between 2012/13 and 2018/19, she taught Histology within the Histology-Anatomy integrated course for the Biomedical Laboratory Techniques degree programme.

Since 2012/13, she has also been responsible for a seminar-based Histology course in the Nursing degree programme at the Macerata campus.

Research project

Professor Monia Orciani has been recognised with the ImmunoTools IT-FlowISiAM-Award 2024 for her research on “Searching for New Targets for Alzheimer’s Disease.” She is the Principal Investigator (PI) of the PRIN 2022 project titled “The Effects of Cortisol Excess on Neurogenesis in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Mandatory Footpath through Stem Cells (FORGETFUL)” (Project ID: 2022XF7XZF). In 2022, she secured funding from Boehringer-Ingelheim for a study on the “Role of Nintedanib on Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF),” in collaboration with Professor Martina Bonifazi. Additionally, she received the Fondo di Finanziamento AttivitĂ  di Base di Ricerca (FFABR) – FFO grant in 2017 for her research on “Inflammation and Stem Cells: New Associations.” Her work on stem cells also led to a strategic university project (2017–2019) investigating “The Role of Stem Cells in Cutaneous Repair Deficiency in Patients with Endogenous and Exogenous Cushing’s Syndrome.”

Professor Orciani has contributed to several national research initiatives, including PRIN 2017, where she collaborated on “The Impact of Glucocorticoid Circadian Rhythm Disruption on Cardiovascular Risk and Immune Dysfunction: Pathophysiology and Novel Biomarkers of Glucocorticoid Exposure in Hypercortisolism and Hypocortisolism (CHRONO-IMAGE),” led by Professor Rosario Pivonello (Project ID: 2017HRTZYA_005). Earlier in her career, she was involved in FIRB-funded projects, such as the 2011 study on “Molecular Markers for Diagnosis, Prognosis, and the Development of New Therapeutic Strategies for Adrenal Carcinoma” (PI: Professor Roberto Di Primio, Project ID: RBAP1153LS_004) and the 2010 preclinical evaluation of “Scaffolds for Skeletal Tissue Regeneration” (PI: Professor Roberto Giardino, Project ID: RBAP10MLK7_003). In 2010, she participated in a PRIN project examining “The Interaction between Glucose and Bone Metabolism for the Cardiometabolic Characterisation of a Population of Young Obese Individuals” (PI: Professor Roberto Di Primio, Project ID: 201098WFZ2_006). Her involvement in FIRB dates back to 2001, where she contributed to a study on “Leukocyte Ectoenzymes and Their Role in the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Therapy of Selected Human Diseases” (PI: Professor Fabio Malavasi, Project ID: RBNE01N4Z9_003).

Publication

  • 1. Pisciotta A, Di Tinco R, Bertani G, Orlandi G, Bertoni L, Pignatti E, Orciani M, Sena P,
    Bertacchini J, Salvarani C, Carnevale G. Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) promote the
    lipofibroblast transition in the early stage of a fibro-inflammatory process. Front Cell Dev Biol.
    2023;11:1196023
  • Preziuso A, Piccirillo S, Cerqueni G, Serfilippi T, Terenzi V, Vinciguerra A, Orciani M, Amoroso
    S, Magi S, Lariccia V. Exploring the Role of NCX1 and NCX3 in an In Vitro Model of
    Metabolism Impairment: Potential Neuroprotective Targets for Alzheimer’s Disease. Biology
    (Basel). 2023;12:1005.
  • Di Vincenzo M, Diotallevi F, Piccirillo S, Carnevale G, Offidani A, Campanati A, Orciani M.
    miRNAs, Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Major Neoplastic and Inflammatory Skin Diseases:
    A Page Being Written: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24:8502.
  • Di Vincenzo M, Orciani M. Special Issue “The Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on
    Inflammatory and Fibrotic Diseases”. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24:8578.
  • Di Vincenzo M, Martino M, Lariccia V, Giancola G, Licini C, Di Benedetto G, Arnaldi G,
    Orciani M. Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exposed to Persistently High Glucocorticoid Levels
    Develop Insulin-Resistance and Altered Lipolysis: A Promising In Vitro Model to Study
    Cushing’s Syndrome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022;13:816229