Kgothatso Ashley Rakgate
BOTLOKWA
Summary
Kgothatso Ashley Rakgate is a motivated researcher with a strong background in Medical Sciences, specializing in Immunology. Skilled in managing research projects, conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis, and translating complex findings into actionable insights. Currently completing an MSc in Medical Sciences at the University of Limpopo, with proven ability to contribute to evidence-based research development and evaluation in education. His MSc research investigates the anti-microbial, proliferative and immune-modulatory effects of indigenous medicinal plants on MRSA, human lymphocytes and neutrophils, highlighting his commitment to translational ethno-botanical research.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Tutor (Immunology)
University of Limpopo
03.2024 - Current
- I am responsible for tutoring students within the department of Medical Sciences with Immunology, research proposals and mini-dissertation write up, and general laboratory work required for their research.
- HPLC
- Plant extraction procedures (Soxhlet and maceration)
- Antibacterial activity using REMA.
- Other assays such as MTT, WST-8
- Fluorometric assay and Griess Reagent assays.
Student laboratory assistant/ Department of Pathology and Medical Sciences
University of Limpopo
07.2022 - Current
- In this role I am responsible for assisting students in the lab with their week-to-week practical's, my roles include specimen collection and preparation, pre-lab assessment, running medical assays, monitoring the students ensuring they adhere to the necessary regulatory standards.
- Laboratory management (sterilization and reagents management)
- Specimen culturing
- Isolation of PBMCs
- Medical essays
- Plant extraction methods.
- In this role I was able to assist also in the Medical Microbiology and Medical Biochemistry laboratories within the Department of Pathology
President: African Research Society (UL)
University of Limpopo
04.2023 - 02.2024
- Established the structure to assist students in the school of medicine with research writing.
Student mentor (Immunology)
University of Limpopo
04.2023 - 11.2023
- I mentored introduction to immunology for third years and advanced immunology for final year students.
Education
High School Qualification - undefined
SefoLoko Secondary School
01.2018
Master of Science - Medical Sciences (Immunology)
University of Limpopo
10.2025
BSc (Hons) - Medical Sciences (Immunology)
University of Limpopo
11.2022
Skills
- TLC
- Flow cytometry
- Spectrophotometry
- Microbial culture
- Real-time PCR
- Electrophoresis
- Isolation of PBMCs
- Density Centrifugation
- Endnote
- Mendeley
- Microsoft Office
- WPS Office
- SPSS
- GraphPad Prism
- STATA
- Effective communication skills
- Relationship building
- Good analytical skills
- Good management skills
Education
- SEFOLOKO SECONDARY SCHOOL, GRADE 12
- University of Limpopo, BSc (Hons) in Medical Sciences (Immunology),
Hematology, Medical Biochemistry, Medical Microbiology, Research biostatistics, Medical sciences research methodology, Immunology.
- University of Limpopo, Master of Science in Medical Sciences (immunology), Determination of anti-microbial, proliferative, and immune modulatory activities in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, lymphocytes, and neutrophils using acetone crude leaf extracts from Olea africana and Kigelia africana, Dr ME Makgatho, MJ Ndlovu,
Certificates Awarded
- National Senior Certificate, 2018
- Intel Learn Easy Steps course, 2021
- BSc Medical Sciences, 2022
- NEMISA Mobile Digital Literacy, 2023
- NRF Ad-Hoc Scholarship, 2024
- SAMRC BRIP Conference, 2025
Research Expertise
Assisting 4th year (Honors) students within the division of immunology each year from drafting the research proposals, Laboratory work and mini-dissertations write ups at the end of the year.
2023:The project structured around assessing the effects of Schotia on S. aureus and immune cells,
2024: Investigating the medicinal benefits of Kigelia africana and Opuntia Ficus indica on Escherichia coli and immune cells,
2025: Research focused on the synergistic effects of medicinal plants on HeLa cancer cells,
Conference Presentations
- 3rd biennial Research conference (2024). The anti-bacterial and immune-modulatory activities of Albizia britannica in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Raw cells, The Ranch resort, Polokwane, Oral presentation.
- UL Faculty of Health Sciences Research Day (2025). Assessing the immune-modulatory effects of two indigenous plants on lymphocytes and neutrophils, The Ranch resort, Polokwane, Oral presentation.
- PathRed Congress (2025). The anti-bacterial and immune-modulatory effects of Olea africana and Kigelia africana on methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, lymphocytes, and neutrophils, Emperor's palace, Johannesburg, Oral presentation (won best Oral Immunology).
- 15th Annual BRIP Conference SAMRC (2025). Assessing the immune-modulatory effects of two indigenous plants on lymphocytes and neutrophils. Cape Town, Poster presentation.
Publications
- Rakgate KA and Ndlovu MJ, 2025, Assessing the anti-bacterial activity of Kigelia africana on methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from a clinical Hospital setting, African Journal of Biomedical Research, 28(4s), 01-06
- Rakgate KA and Ndlovu MJ, 2025, In-vitro anti-bacterial and immune-modulatory properties of Olea euroapea subs africana on methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and lymphocytes, Accepted for publication, African Journal of Biomedical Research
Timeline
Tutor (Immunology)
University of Limpopo
03.2024 - Current
President: African Research Society (UL)
University of Limpopo
04.2023 - 02.2024
Student mentor (Immunology)
University of Limpopo
04.2023 - 11.2023
Student laboratory assistant/ Department of Pathology and Medical Sciences
University of Limpopo
07.2022 - Current
High School Qualification - undefined
SefoLoko Secondary School
Master of Science - Medical Sciences (Immunology)
University of Limpopo
BSc (Hons) - Medical Sciences (Immunology)
University of Limpopo