G-CQT4R3X2EH Careers in Microbiology - Microbe Mail

Episode 55

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Published on:

25th Jun 2024

Careers in Microbiology

Ever wondered what Microbiologists get up to in the laboratory? Is it all about waiting for organisms to grow, "doomsday prophecies" regarding antimicrobial resistance, and asking for a clinical correlation? The feild of Microbiology is vast, and Vin speaks to some well seasoned experts to get their take on a career in Microbiology.

About our Guests:

  • Crystal Viljoen, B.Tech Biomedical Technology: Crystal has more than 20 years of laboratory experience, and is currently working as the laboratory manager at the Infection Control Laboratory Services in Johannesburg. She is also an executive member of Legionella Action Group (LAG); and has a wealth of experience with quality management systems, including proficiency testing schemes, laboratory safety procedures and the process of laboratory accreditation, gained at the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD)



  • Andrea Prinzi, Ph.D., MPH, SM(ASCP): Dr Andrea Prinzi is currently a field medical director of US medical affairs at BioMérieux (pronounced bee oh merry you). Prior to her work in industry, Andrea was a clinical microbiologist with over 12 years of hands-on bench experience in a pediatric hospital laboratory. In 2014, she obtained her master’s in public health from the Colorado School of public health with a focus in epidemiology. In 2021, she completed a PhD in clinical and translational science from the University of Colorado. As a PhD in Clinical and Translational science, her interests include antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship (with an emphasis on pneumonia diagnostics and management), development of effective teaching methods for clinicians and the fusion of public health, clinical science and medicine to improve patient outcomes, quality improvement, infectious disease epidemiology, science communication, and implementation science. Dr. Prinzi’s PhD work was clinical and translational, and focused on bridging the gap between the clinical microbiology laboratory and clinical practice. She combined clinical diagnostics, public health, clinical research and science communication to improve the way we think about and use diagnostic tests and antimicrobials. Dr. Prinzi is the clinical and public health community leader for the American Society for Microbiology’s Council on Microbial sciences, as well as a regular blog writer for ASM. She is a reviewing editor for the ASM journal Spectrum, as well as an editorial advisory board member for Open Forum Infectious Diseases. She also enjoys volunteering time to help co-host the Let’s Talk Micro antimicrobial resistance sub-series with her friend, Luis Plaza.
  • Dr Keeren Lutchminarain: Dr Keeren Lutchminarain is a clinical microbiologist based at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital. Her primary role in the NHLS is to oversee the KZN reference Tb laboratory where she is involved in interpreting routine diagnostic tests; verification of new instruments; teaching and training within the province and TB related research.

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About the Podcast

Microbe Mail
Microbiology & Infectious Diseases Podcast
Are you looking for a medical podcast covering every day issues in diagnostic tests, antimicrobial therapy and management of infections that is relevant to a low or middle income setting? A show that simplifies complex concepts in an easy to follow conversational format? You've come to the right place. This is Microbe Mail - a medical podcast for the busy practitioner or student covering topics in microbiology, infectious diseases and infection control.
Sign up to our newsletter to receive updates on new episode releases at: https://microbemail.captivate.fm/
Contact us at mail.microbe@gmail.com

About your hosts

Vindana Chibabhai

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Vin is an Associate Professor in the Division of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (CMID), Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa and a practising clinical microbiologist with the National Health Laboratory Service. She is passionate about microbes (of course), antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial stewardship, diagnostics, healthcare associated infections, fungal infections, One Health...let's just say it's a very long list!

She is always looking for new ways to engage with clinicians and improve their understanding of microbiology and infections. This podcast is the perfect way to do just that!

She loves to be involved in research which will impact management of infections in lower-middle income settings. On Microbe Mail episodes, her views are her own.

Jamie Colloty

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Jamie is a medical officer/sub-investigator currently based at Wits VIDA (Vaccine and Infectious Disease Analytics) Nkanyezi Research site at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, Johannesburg. She has completed her Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (Wits), Diploma in HIV Management (CMSA), and is undertaking her Masters in Public Health through Imperial College London, with a research focus on culture-confirmed neonatal sepsis and meningitis cases in Johannesburg. She is passionate about antimicrobial stewardship and resistance, as well as the role of climate change on emerging infectious diseases. She is excited to combine her interest in microbiology with the work of the Microbe Mail team!

Nonkululeko Mntla

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"Just call me Nonks".
Despite her proudly South African name being as much of a tongue twister as one of the fascinating organisms she often works with, (Iooking at you Stenotrophomonas maltophilia), she is simply mad about Micro. "How interesting it is to be able to identify what organism is causing an infection, to know how it is causing the infection, what therapy can be used against it, what to do if the organism counterattacks with its arsenal of resistance mechanisms, and how to prevent that organism from spreading. That's what I enjoy most, but there is so much more."

Nonks is a Clinical Microbiologist based in Johannesburg, working in the private field; and is affiliated with the University of the Witwatersrand. She has a passion for bridging the understanding between the pathology noted in the laboratory and the patient at the bedside.

Esther Simone

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Esther is a researcher, writer and podcast editor. She holds a degree in the arts and is currently pursuing a qualification in psychology.
In her own words "The choice to join Microbemail as editor was the easiest one I've ever made. The podcast is fascinating and I learn so much each time I sit down to edit. I see it as a valuable addition to the toolbox of any clinician."

Fathima Suleman

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Dr. Fathima Suleman is a junior doctor, who works in a KZN-based hospital's Microbiology department. She is underway with a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Her interest lie in antimicrobial stewardship and infectious diseases. She is passionate about bridging the gap between laboratory medicine and clinical medicine. Coming from a background of graphic design, she is eager to add flare to the Microbe Mail social media.

Ruan Marais

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Ruan (Gert) Marais is currently a Medical Microbiology registrar at the University of Cape Town (UCT) with major research interests in the development of novel molecular techniques such a metagenomic sequencing, their translation to clinical care and the development of automated tools to aid clinical decision-making. He graduated as the top student in the final year of medical school at the University of Pretoria. Through a Commonwealth Scholarship he completed a MSc in Molecular Biology and Pathology of Viruses at Imperial College London and received the Dean’s prize for the top student. He further has an MMed in Medical Virology, is a Fellow of the College of Pathologists - Virology and received the UCT Colin Kaplan award for Medical Virology for his contribution to SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing.

Vinitha Alex

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Dr. Vinitha Alex is a Clinical Microbiologist based in Johannesburg, South Africa and a Microbiology lecturer affiliated to the University of the Witwatersrand. Her particular areas of interest are antimicrobial stewardship, diagnostic stewardship, infection prevention and control, healthcare informatics, medical training and research and development.
She is keen on taking clinical microbiology to the grass root level, making it understandable & accessible to healthcare providers, particularly in areas of low expertise/ specialist availability. She is passionate about improving guideline compliance, fighting the spread of antimicrobial resistance and creating a system that makes good health economic sense.