Mrs. Refiloe Malesa | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Refiloe Malesa | Microbiology | Agricultural Research Council | South Africa

Mrs. Refiloe Malesa is an accomplished molecular biologist and research technician from South Africa, currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Life Sciences (Molecular Biology – NGS) at the University of South Africa. She holds a Master of Technology in Veterinary Technology (Molecular Biology – NGS) with distinction, a Bachelor of Technology, and a National Diploma in Veterinary Technology from Tshwane University of Technology. Throughout her academic and professional career, Mrs. Refiloe Malesa has demonstrated exceptional expertise in molecular diagnostics, serology, and virology within high-containment research environments. Her professional experience spans over a decade at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), where she serves as a research technician in the Transboundary Animal Diseases section. Working in a BSL-3 facility, she performs DNA/RNA extractions, real-time PCR, virus isolation, ELISA, and virus neutralization assays, focusing on Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) and African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV). She has also contributed to efficacy testing of disinfectants, laboratory quality management under ISO 17025 standards, and postgraduate student training in molecular techniques. Her earlier experience as a laboratory manager and veterinary technologist at Vetdiagnostix and Cape Animal Clinical Pathology further strengthened her analytical and leadership abilities in clinical pathology and microbiology. Mrs. Refiloe Malesa’s research interests lie in molecular biology, next-generation sequencing, pathogen genomics, and diagnostic assay optimization for transboundary and zoonotic diseases affecting livestock and food security. Her research skills encompass advanced molecular diagnostics, genomic analysis, data interpretation, biosafety management, and quality assurance auditing as a SANAS Technical Assessor. She has presented her work at numerous national and international scientific conferences, including the South African Veterinary and Paraveterinary Congress and the Global African Swine Fever Research Alliance (GARA). Mrs. Refiloe Malesa’s outstanding scientific achievements have been recognized through her impactful publications in Scopus-indexed journals such as Pathogens, Frontiers in Bacteriology, and Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. Her professional memberships include the South African Veterinary Council, and she actively contributes to knowledge dissemination and scientific mentorship.

Professional Profiles: ORCID

Featured Publications

Malesa, R., Pierneef, R., Mafuna, T., Magwedere, K., Seakamela, E., & Matle, I. (2025). Genome-based in silico analysis of the structural and functional characteristics of the type three secretion system (T3SS) and core effector proteins in Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains isolated from food-producing animals and products of animal origin. Pathogens, 14(11), 1099. (5 citations)
Malesa, R., Pierneef, R., Magwedere, K., Mafuna, T., & Matle, I. (2024). Genomic characterisation of generic Escherichia coli from food-producing animals and products of animal origin in South Africa. Frontiers in Bacteriology, 4, 1432292. (3 citations)
Seoke, L., Fosgate, G. T., Opperman, P. A., Malesa, R. P., Lazarus, D. D., Sirdar, M. M., & Heath, L. (2024). Optimization of a foot-and-mouth disease virus Southern African Territories–specific solid-phase competitive ELISA for small ruminant serum samples. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 36(2), 18202. (4 citations)
Chukwudi, I. C., Mira, F., Ogbu, K. I., Malesa, R. P., Purpari, G., Luka, P. D., Ugochukwu, E. I., Heath, L. E., Guercio, A., & Chah, K. F. (2021). Peste des petits ruminants in Nigeria: Identification and variations of lineage II and lineage IV in sheep and goats: Characterization of PPRV in South-East Nigeria. Veterinaria Italiana, 57(4), 345–354. (2 citations)
Chukwudi, I. C., Ogbu, K. I., Luka, P. D., Malesa, R. P., Heath, L. E., Ugochukwu, E. I., & Chah, K. F. (2020). Molecular detection of African swine fever virus from field samples in Nigeria and Cameroon. Veterinary World, 13(10), 2358–2363. (3 citations)
Ndlovu, S., Williamson, A.-L., Malesa, R., van Heerden, J., Boshoff, C. I., Bastos, A. D. S., Heath, L., & Carulei, O. (2020). Genome sequences of three African swine fever viruses of genotypes I, III, and XXII from South Africa and Zambia, isolated from Ornithodoros soft ticks. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 9(11), e01376–19. (6 citations)
Malesa, R., Heath, L., & Matle, I. (2023). Comparative genomic insights into antimicrobial resistance determinants among Escherichia coli isolates from livestock and animal products. African Journal of Microbiology Research, 17(5), 210–222. (2 citations)

Dr. Carlos Henrique Lopes Rocha, USP, Brazil

Carlos Henrique Lopes Rocha. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Maranhão (IFMA) in 2016. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Parasitology from the University of CEUMA (UNICEUMA) in 2019, where he focused on the antifungal activity of Terminalia catappa leaves. Carlos obtained his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (Genetics) from the University of São Paulo (USP) in 2023, with research centered on the synergistic activity of sertraline combined with antifungal drugs against Trichophyton rubrum. Currently, he is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Clinics Hospital of Ribeirão Preto, USP. With expertise in microbiology, Carlos specializes in the phenotypic and molecular characterization of environmental and pathogenic microorganisms, as well as in the genetic research of pathogenic fungi and drug repositioning. He has participated in several complementary courses to enhance his scientific communication skills and molecular biology techniques.

Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award conclusion

Carlos Henrique Lopes Rocha’s academic qualifications, innovative research contributions, active participation in the scientific community, and dedication to continuous improvement make him an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work not only advances our understanding of fungal infections but also offers potential pathways for developing new therapeutic strategies.

🎓 Education

Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (Genetics)

Institution: University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
Thesis: Synergistic activity of the antidepressant sertraline associated with drugs against Trichophyton rubrum and evaluation of adaptive response mechanisms
Year Obtained: 2023

Master’s in Parasitology

Institution: University of CEUMA (UNICEUMA), Brazil
Thesis: Investigation of the antifungal activity of the butanol fraction of Terminalia catappa leaves extract in combination with fluconazole in an alternative cryptococcosis model
Year Obtained: 2019

Bachelor’s in Biology Education

Institution: Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Maranhão (IFMA), Brazil
Thesis: Antifungal and anti-virulence activity of the butanol fraction of Terminalia catappa extract in combination with fluconazole against Cryptococcus gattii isolates
Year Obtained: 2016

Publication Top Notes:

n -butanol fraction of Terminalia catappa possesses anti-Candida albicans properties and in vivo action on Tenebrio molitor alternative infection model

The Antidepressant Sertraline Affects Cell Signaling and Metabolism in Trichophyton rubrum

Synergism between the Antidepressant Sertraline and Caspofungin as an Approach to Minimise the Virulence and Resistance in the Dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum

Reassessing the Use of Undecanoic Acid as a Therapeutic Strategy for Treating Fungal Infections

TITLE: SYNERGISM BETWEEN FLUCONAZOLE AND TERMINALIA CATAPPA EXTRACT AND ITS USE IN THE TREATMENT OF CANDIDA-INFECTED TENEBRIO MOLITOR LARVAE / TÍTULO: SINERGISMO ENTRE FLUCONAZOL E O EXTRATO DE TERMINALIA CATAPPA E SEU USO NO TRATAMENTO DE LARVAS DE TENEBRIO MOLITOR INFECTADAS COM CANDIDA