Kimberly Peta

Passionate and dedicated to research involving genetics and immunology. I have experience in performing laboratory techniques pertaining to molecular biology and am able to analyze and interpret data. I worked in an accredited National Health Laboratory for human genetics where I performed diagnostic tests, mostly on screening BRCA mutations in breast cancer patients. Published scientific peer-review articles, one on the similarities between chronic wounds microenvironment and tumour microenvironments and the other on SARS-CoV-2. For my M.Sc in human genetics, I  screened for mutations in the Endoglin gene in a family that suffered from Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT). Currently, I am busy with a PhD project on the effect of an anti-cancer agent (2-methoxyestradiol) and stem cells on mammary carcinoma. The importance of this PhD is that cancer does not have a cure, and this project provided an opportunity to learn new research techniques by providing the opportunity to test agents that may aid the immune system to destroy cancer cells. I have excellent communication, time management and organization skills. I am a fast learner, a competent worker both in a team and independently, and a hard worker. 

Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Immunology, University of Pretoria 

• Improved methods for each technique to ensure optimal results. Successfully improved the method for the isolation of DNA for genotyping purposes, as applied to identifying the mice that had the tumour-causing
• Expertise in isolating, expanding and characterizing stem cells, using flow cytometry and differentiating them to adipocytes and osteoblasts. 
• Experience in dissecting mouse organs and excising mouse
• Experience in immunohistochemistry and hematoxylin and eosin
• Experience in identifying cytokines present in blood plasma using flow
• Improved the methodology of RNA isolation technique, resulting in a high RNA concentration with good
• Experience in preparing samples for RT-PCR.
• Experience in analyzing and interpreting data.
• Experience in measuring tumours and weighing mice.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Worked at the National Health Laboratory Services,  an accredited human laboratory that specialized in searching for mutations in patients diagnosed with breast cancer using molecular biology techniques.

• Observed standard operating procedures and performed molecular biology techniques used to detect mutations in the BRCA genes. Including: isolating DNA from patient’s blood, performing screening tests (PCR and HRM), running gel electrophoresis, and sanger sequencing
• Performed protein truncation analysis, silver staining and developed x-rays.
• Assisted in analyzing results using several data analysis software programs such as Geneious, MEGA, Ensembl, L ALIGN and ExPASY translating tool to investigate genetic mutations and pathogenicity of BRCA1 and BRCA2
• Created and compiled a database on Microsoft Excel, captured data from patient files to computer including laboratory results and ensured files were updated.

Worked as a student assistant and my duties included;

• Preparation of laboratory work including setting up reagents and ensuring safety measures are observed when students are using dangerous chemicals.
• Assisted undergraduate students with biochemistry tutorials and laboratory work, including explaining the requirements of each tutorial and marking.
• Facilitated undergraduate students’ genetics

Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Immunology, 2019-Present

Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

Thesis title "Influence of mesenchymal stem cells and 2-methoxyestradiol in a murine model of spontaneous mammary carcinoma".

Master of Science in Human Molecular Genetics, 2016-2017

Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Dissertation title "Mutation detection in the Endoglin gene in a family affected with Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia".

Advanced degree: Bachelor of Science Honours in Genetics, 2013 Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

• Behavioural and Human Genetics
• Molecular systematics
• Research and Laboratory techniques
• Literature Study title "Neanderthal contribution to the modern human gene pool is minor"
• Research essay titled "Differences in serotonin alleles and MAOA genes" between ADHD individuals and controls"

Bachelor of Science in Human Molecular Biology, 2010-2012

Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa Majors: Genetics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biostatistics, Human molecular biology