Ms Sumaiya Jamal-Ally

Research Areas

Agricultural Microbiology and Ecology

Research Vision

As the interest in mycorrhizal fungi and other soil microbial organisms has increased over the years, through collaborations and links with various international researchers, it is my vision as a microbiologist that we expand South Africa’s research capacity in this field. We have a few new and dynamic projects that are being implemented here in South Africa regarding ecology, sustainability and bio-control in agriculture. These projects will be implemented by students at the honours and masters level, while new concepts will be introduced to undergraduate students.

I am currently completing my PhD titled “Arbuscular Mycorrhiza and Soil Microbial Interactions in Sugarcane Agriculture in KwaZulu Natal” - a collaboration between SA Sugarcane Research Institute, Wits and UKZN. I am a Wits graduate and have completed research on “Molecular Variants of Serpins: Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (a1AT) & Human Monocyte Elastase Inhibitor (HM/NEI) in South African Patients with Cystic Fibrosis, and Control Individuals,” as well as “Detection of HPV in Oesophageal Carcinoma Cell Lines,” for my MSc and BSc Honours degrees respectively. I also graduated with a double major in Microbiology and Biochemistry.

Hobbies

- Energy and holistic healing

- Collecting unusual crystals

- Reading esoteric works

- Tai-chi and Taebo

- Teaching my kitty Snuggles new tricks

- Cricket and soccer fan