Hazel Mangashena

I am a self-motivated individual, committed and determined in achieving my goals, come what may. I have also demonstrated negotiating and organizing skills, a firm sense of responsibility and my capacity to work hard under pressure. I possess good verbal and written communication skills and can relate to a wide range of people. 

I am a fast learner and am an energetic and enthusiastic individual who embraces the high-pressure challenges encountered within the laboratory & field. I have five years of hands-on experience in advanced laboratory techniques in Microbiology. I have also acquired skills in Food Safety Management Systems and Quality Management Systems with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe. Currently, I am working as Quality Control Microbiologist in a Science Laboratory where we have adopted the ISO 17025 system. I have shown myself to be organized, self-motivated, committed, and determined to achieve my goals (personal & project deliverables) come what may. 

For the past seven years, I have been involved in Environmental Microbiology Research with my first project in my honors year focusing on Biofilms as a reservoir for the production and release of virulent opportunistic pathogens using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model. This led me to the next project that I took up for my Masters with East Rand Water (South Africa) where I studied the fate of endocrine-disrupting molecules (EDCs) including pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and microbial molecules following conventional wastewater treatment and Hydrothermal Carbonization of resulting municipal sewage sludge. I went on to investigate the biodegradability of recalcitrant EDCs. The projects I took up enlightened me on the legislature that governs water reclamation, wastewater treatment and municipal waste disposal and reuse. Being an individual that believes in the stewardship of natural resources by means of implementing sustainable practices my acquired knowledge in the field has widened significantly.