Tanweer Goolam Mahomed

The little things in life matter. This is what I have learned as I journeyed from my undergraduate studies in Microbiology to obtaining a PhD in Medical Microbiology. My post-graduate studies focused on the molecular typing of bacterial pathogens and exploring the microbiome in lung diseases. I have been privileged enough to have gained experience in working with several types of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses; sometimes in limited capacity) and in several different fields (medical, plant, veterinary and zoological). All this experience allowed me to develop a deep appreciation for how microorganisms affect our lives and to gain a keen interest in microbial diversity. This led me to my current work as a post-doctoral fellow at the prestigious FABI Institute based at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. This work has allowed me to expand my knowledge of plant health and fungal pathogenesis. Despite all this, I consider my greatest achievement to be completing my post-graduate journey without a sip of coffee.