Background
Dr Lyn-Marie Birkholtz obtained a BSc in Genetics, Human Physiology and Biochemistry, and a BSc (Hons) and MSc in Biochemistry cum laude at the University of Pretoria. Her PhD study on biochemical aspects of malaria was completed in 2003, eight months of which was spent in laboratories in the USA and Germany, which subsequently led to a collaborative post-doctoral study with Germany. She was appointed as lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry, University of Pretoria since 2004 and has been appointed as senior lecturer since 2006. She is currently an associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Pretoria.
Current research interests
She leads the Malaria Research Programme with particular focus of understanding biochemistry and metabolic processes in the parasite that may be targets for therapeutical intervention strategies. Her main contributions are in the functional genomic analyses of these parasites under drug pressure, with a niche focus on polyamine metabolism. Her work has been published in leading international publications and has led to recognised national and international standing. She is member of the African Centre for Gene Technologies, the South African Malaria Initiative and partner in the EU FP7 Malaria Network of Excellence.
Other relevant information
Dr Birkholtz has received numerous international scientific awards, including a Mellon Foundation Mentorship Grant for her PhD studies; Trends in Parasitology best poster presentation award at the Molecular Aspects of Malaria Meeting, Lorne, Australia; IUBMB and ACGT fellowships. She is a grant holder of NRF, NRF Thuthuka, MRC, SAMI as well as NRF-Germany, NRF-Sweden and UK-SA bilateral agreement grants.
She is the author of numerous scientific publications amongst which review publications. Dr Birkholtz has been an invited speaker at several national and international conferences and presented her research at four invited international seminars.
Contact information
Dr Lyn-Marie Birkholtz, Tel: +27 12 420 2479, Fax: +27 12 362 5302