PALESA PAMELA SEELE

Committed and passionate scientist dedicated to advancing knowledge in the field of biochemistry and nanotechnology. Successfully developed the TB-antigen rapid diagnostic test from TRL1 to TRL4, contributing to project conceptualization, management, administration, and experimental work. Extensive experience with peer-reviewed publications and book chapters that reflect research interests. Approach scientific inquiry with meticulous attention to detail, rigorous methodology, and a creative mindset for innovative problem-solving. Foster inclusive and supportive research environment as a collaborative and communicative team member. Proven strength in disseminating research findings through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Goal to inspire the next generation of researchers through mentorship and education. Eager to continue contributing to the scientific community and make meaningful strides in understanding the field of science.

• Thuthuka Grants (NRF), 2025 - 2027
• SAMRC SIR Grant, 2024 - 2026
• Science Vote Funding FY2023, Mintek, 2022 - 2025
• NRF PDP Fellowship, 2020 - 2023
• 2nd Position for Presented Poster HUB/IBMS/PAT Research Day, University of Cape Town, 2017
• Marion Beatrice Waddel Bursary, University of Cape Town, 2014 - 2015
• National Research Fund (NRF innovation), 2013 - 2015
• University Council Postgraduate Scholarships, University of the Witwatersrand, 2010
• National Research Fund (NRF Grant holder-linked), 2009 - 2010
• E P/ Henry Bradlow/ John Lemmer Scholarships, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009
• Academic excellence scholarship, University of the Witwatersrand, 2004

• Metabolomics South Africa (MSA) industry Engagement and Partnerships, 01/01/24 - Current
• South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 10/01/22 - 12/31/25
• Royal Society of South Africa, 10/01/22 - 12/31/23
• NIC Marketing Committee, 05/01/23 - Current
• Health Platform Research and Development Committee, 05/01/23 - Current
• Health Platform Community Engagement and Marketing Committee (CEMC), 05/01/23 - Current

• Mintek@90 Conference - Sandton Convention Centre, 11/12/24
• Nobel in Africa (A STIAS Initiative) - Opening Session of the Nobel Symposium in Chemistry, 10/24/24
• 14th Annual BRIP Conference (SAMRC & NRF), 10/16/24 - 10/17/24
• Micro Manufacturing Convergence Conference 2024, 07/07/24 - 07/09/24
• DSI/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre Annual Workshop 2023: The development of a TB antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test. South African Medical Research Council Conference Centre (SAMRC CC), 10/11/23 - 10/12/23
• Keynote Speaker: Assay development/validation and chemical variation in lateral flow immunoassays, 09/13/23
• Swiss TPH Hybrid Symposium - The Tuberculosis Pandemic – a Call to Action Science, Application, Politics, 03/21/23 - 03/22/23
• FIND ‘Pandemic preparedness’; inspired by the #100DayMission dialogue, 04/25/23
• 2nd Metabolomics South Africa (MSA) Symposium & Annual General Meeting (African Centre for Gene Technologies (ACGT)), 10/21/21
• University of Johannesburg, Department of Biochemistry Research Day, 09/10/21
• TB LAM Testing for People with HIV, 08/31/21
• Understanding the role of MMPs in Mycobacterium smegmatis infected macrophages. 2017 Postgraduate Research Day of the Department of Human Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, and Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Western Cape, 2017
• Understanding the role of MMPs in TB cavitation., 2016
• Role of MMP-1 and MMP-9 in regulation of the angiogenic factors CTGF and VEGF in the pathology of TB cavitation. South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SASBMB) Ghoudini Spa, Western Cape, 2014
• International Proteolysis Society (IPS) 8th annual meeting Spier, Cape Town, 2013
• Probing interactions at the dimer interface required for HIV-1 subtype C protease conformational stability and function. Cross faculty postgraduate symposium, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2010

• Development of Gold-Nanoparticle-Based Lateral Flow Immunoassays for Rapid Detection of TB ESAT-6 and CFP-10, Seele, P.P.; Dyan, B.; Skepu, A.; Maserumule, C.; Sibuyi, N.R.S., Biosensors, 13, 354, 2023, https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/13/3/354
• A review of the Nucleic Acid-Based Lateral Flow Assay for detection of breast cancer from circulating biomarkers at a point-of-care in low income countries., Dyan, B., Seele, P., Skepu, A., Mdluli, P., Mosebi, S. and Sibuyi, N.R.S., Diagnostics, 12, 1973, 2022, https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/12/8/1973
• Structure-function relationships in the modification of liposomes for targeted drug delivery in infectious diseases, Seele, P.P., Liposomes - A Modern Approach in Research, B.S. Weeks, IntechOpen Publishers, 10.5772/intechopen.1005515, 2024
• Antimicrobial Applications of MXenes, Seele, P.P., Mlambo, M., MXenes as Surface-Active Advanced Materials, M.A. Quraishi, C. Verma and E. Berdimurodov, Elsevier Limited, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-13589-7.00009-2, 2024
• Green Deep Eutectic Solvents in Pharmaceutical and Medical Research, Seele, P.P., Molefi, R.P., Matshetshe, K., Van der Walt, H., Green Deep Eutectic Solvents, E. Berdimurodov, C. Verma and C.M. Hussain, SCRIVENER PUBLISHING (Wiley, United States), Submitted for review, 2025
• Aptasensors: Selective and powerful tool for infectious diseases diagnosis, Seele, P. P., Sibuyi, N.R.S., Van der Walt, H. and Maserumule, M.C., Advances in Nano-Biosensor Technologies for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases, B. Ayyappa, Scrivener publishing, In Publication, 2025
• Advances in gold nanoparticles for detection of Covid-19, HIV, TB and Malaria, Bekker, S. and Seele, P.P., Minerals and their applications, M.C. Maserumule, L. Sikhwivhilu and B. Ntsendwana, Taylor and Francis, publishers (England, London), Submitted for review, 2025
• Nanominerals in antimicrobial applications, Seele, P.P., Van der Walt, H. and Maserumule, M. C., Minerals and their applications, C.M. Maserumule, L. Sikhwivhilu and B. Ntsendwana, Taylor and Francis, publishers (England, London), Submitted for review, 2025
• Rhodamine B photocatalytic activity and the synthesis of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles mediated by Vachellia hebeclada (Acacia hebeclada), Mathumba, P., Seele, P.P., Bilibana, M.P., Preprint – Research Square, 2023, https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2772238/v1
• Carbon dots in detection of biological molecules and metal ions, Seele, P.P., Mathumba, P., Carbon dots in biology, E. Berdimurodov and D. Verma, 78 – 108, De Gruyters publisher, 2023, https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110799958-005/html
• Natural Products for Drug Discovery in the 21st Century: Innovations for Novel Drug Discovery, Thomford, N. E., Senthebane, D.A., Rowe, A., Munro, D., Seele, P., Maroyi, A. and Dzobo, K., Int. J. Mol. Sci., 19, 1578, 2018, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19061578
• F99 is critical for dimerization and activation of South African HIV-1 Subtype C Protease, Naicker, P., Seele, P., Dirr, H. W. and Sayed, Y., Protein J., 32, 560 – 567, 2013, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10930-013-9517-y

• BC-D-24-00648, International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology - Elsevier, 2024
• TUBE-D-24-00150, Tuberculosis Journal – Elsevier, 2024
• University of the Western Cape MSC student presentation moderation, 2024
• DSI/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre Annual Workshop 2023, Posters reviewer
• CoSAAMI2021, Conference Manuscript reviewer

• SUN DATA SCIENCE Workshop, 09/09/24 - 09/13/24
• Next Generation Sequencing Information Day (DIPLOMICS & ACGT), 07/05/24
• Introduction to Collaboration - A Nature Masterclasses online course, 06/19/24
• Writing and Publishing a Review - Paper A Nature Masterclasses online course, 06/06/24
• Focus on Peer Review A Nature Masterclasses online course, 12/23/23
• Personal Mastery Course (Provided by Kwelanga & Mintek HR), 02/27/23 - 02/28/23
• TREE training programme in research ethics evaluation (South Africa), 11/23/22
• Wiley Analytical Science Spring 2022 Conference: Characterization of Optical Layers Using UV-Vis / NIR Spectroscopy, 04/28/22
• BTODEL1 - Basics of E-Tutoring Short Course, 11/10/21 - 12/10/21
• ISO 13485:2016 QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS For Medical Devices, 11/10/21 - 11/12/21
• DCN Dx Virtual Basic Course in Lateral Flow Technology, 04/06/21 - 04/08/21
• Startup School’s 12-week online Entrepreneurship Course, Startup School, GSB Foundation and Investec, 06/01/19 - 08/31/19
• Roche Diagnostics Gene Expression Workshop for MIQE compliance, 06/17/14 - 06/18/14
• Master Class in Mass Spectrometry, 10/01/14
• Basic Computer Competency Certificate, College Campus, 12/31/05

During my time at Mintek I was able to acquire funding for my projects - Science Vote, SAMRC SIR and Thuthuka NRF grants, and applying for others in collaboration with colleagues. I was able to conceptualize and advance the TB-antigen RDT project from TRL-1 to TRL-4, and also assisted in other projects as well. In 2023 I was privileged to be a Keynote speaker at a Forum: Potential challenges in the new product development cycle, organized by the University of the Witwatersrand and African Centre for Gene Technologies. With my adept writing skills and passion I have managed to be leading and corresponding author for 6 Book Chapters, and 3 have been published. I currently mentor and co-supervise 2 MSc students in collaborations with other institutions.