Enter the World of Microbiology with Monkgomotsi Maseng
(Part 2)
Beyond her work as lab scientist and microbiologist, Monkgomotsi Maseng is passionate about highlighting the critical role women play in the scientific community. She believes there is need to encourage curiosity about STEM in girls and young women, which will help break job-related gender bias. SunHealth continues conversation with her.
Describe your career trajectory. How did you get to where you are now?
I am a part-time Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Medical Sciences with the university, affiliated with Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute
Partnership. I won a scholarship to pursue my masters from the SubSaharan African Network for TB/ HIV Excellence (SANTHE) in 2017.I hold a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Laboratory Medicine from RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia (2009) and a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology from Institute of Health Sciences, Gaborone (2000). I measured in Medical Microbiology, Medical Genetics& Diagnostics and Clinical Immunology & Transplantation. I started working as a Medical laboratory Technician from 2000-2004 at KSDA hospital and Diagnofirm Medical laboratories. I then joined the academia in 2005 at Molepolole Institute of Health Sciences as an assistant microbiology lecturer to nursing students and was upgraded to the position of lecturer in 2010. She later joined the University of Botswana in April 2014, first at UB clinic then in 2016 I moved to the academic side where I started research work.
You were one of the scientists involved in the optimization and validation of COVID-19 in our country, how did this come about?
My involvement was mainly due my expertise on operation of equipment used for detecting Covid-19. We had to train other scientists as well as validation of protocols in equipment at University of Botswana and National Health Laboratory.
How was the experience for you?
It was scary at first because of what we saw around the world, people dying from COVId-19 infections, fearing that we might get infected. But the fact that I was involved in the fight against this pandemic, helping my people, got me excited and drove me to do my best.
Give us a brief background on your research on human genetics and HIV
drug resistance and what you have found?
How our bodies process and react to medicines is based on our genes. So,My research was looking at the differences at cytochrome P450 gene and how the differences affect individuals’ response to the HIV antivirals Nevirapine and Efavirenz. Some people are unable to tolerate these drugs in their system thus experience adverse side effects eventually becoming nonadherent.
Whereas in some, the drugs are rapidly removed from their system, rendering them ineffective. So in determining these genetic variations, it can help in drug prescription and dosing. Previous studies have shown that, Pharmokinetics (how drugs are metabolized and distributed in the body) of drugs can be useful improving drug safety and efficacy at the same time reducing the possibility of drug resistance.
Where do you see this field of research going in the next 10 years? Are there any particular areas where further research is needed?
Research is a field of science that has the potential to generate a lot of data that inform medical diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases as well as inform policy makers. We have plenty of natural resources (herbs, vegetation, watermelon seeds etc.) that can be used to generate medicinal substances and other products.
Currently, we depend a lot on research findings done outside the country. It’s high time we generate our own data from our own population and natural resources and use it to inform our medical and policy decision-makings.
We need to start investing in research and forming research networks with other research institutions outside the country. It is only after doing this that we can have an idea of where the field of research would be in the next 10 years.
Do you think more preventative techniques like PrEp could be a better method for reducing the numbers of HIVinfected individuals in developing countries like ours?
PrEP is a very good preventative method that is aimed at containing and reducing the number of HIV infections. It is especially good for the high-risk groups.
My only fear is that, it might exacerbate issues unfaithfulness that already exists, people becoming reckless knowing there is PrEP. I personally think behavioural change is the best preventative method.
This includes being faithful and abstinence for young people till marriage. Behavioural change doesn’t only apply to HIV; it also applies in the current pandemic of Covid-19. Taking hid of protocols and abiding by them will take us a long way as a nation.
What has been your greatest research achievement so far?
Discovering a mycobactriophage in 2016. Mycobacteriophages are viruses that are capable of infecting and killing the TB bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis /https://phagesdb.org/ phages/Monki/.
Having to publish my research work in international journals. https:// www.dovepress.com/association-ofcyp2b6-genetic-variation-with-efavirenz-and-nevirapine--peer-reviewedfulltext-article-PGPM#
Being also nominated as one of the Superscientist in the region and winning a grant award giving me an opportunity to mentor young females who are aspiring female scientists.
https://www.superscientists.org/superscientists/the-tailor-monkgomotsimaseng?fbclid=IwAR1ObOofx2Z329 UA1SSPaIwOG2EIM2gLbkQ6TtfXG sbj-7kcuM3lAbNr12w
What advice would you give someone interested in becoming a research fellow?
Go for it. Just keep focused and have patience. Though it’s fun, research can have its own frustrations especially when you struggle to secure funds to pursue research on an area on interest. Basic science research needs a lot of money.
Where do you hope to see yourself in the next 10 years?
Doing consultancy work in science research and making a great impact within the scientific community it in this country.