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Nelisha Murugan

Manager: Technical Operations

Biography

I am the Manager of the Microscopy and Microanalysis Unit (MMU) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The MMU has branches on both the Westville and Pietermaritzburg campuses of UKZN. I have over 10 years of training and expertise in microscopy and in the lab environment, and I am currently working toward a PhD in Biology.

My research interests include:

  • Microscopy Research
  • Plant biology and growth
  • Bioenergy crop production from various waste streams
  • Biomass as a renewable energy resource

Publications

  • Dwarka, D; Murugan, N; Thaver, V; Baijnath, H. 2017. Preparation Techniques of Strelitzia nicolai Aril Tissue for Scanning Electron Microscopy. Journal of Advanced Microscopy Research 12, 1–7.
  • Ligham-Soliar, T; Murugan, N. 2013. A New Helical Crossed-Fibre Structure of b-Keratin in Flight Feathers and Its Biomechanical Implications. PLOS One, 8
  • Gallager, S., Hill, J.M., Murugan, N., Botha, C.E.J. 2018. A moderate elevation in [CO2] results in potential hypervirulence on SABBIErica. South African Journal of Botany 114, 44–60.

Ntombozuko Cynthia Matyumza

Principal Technician Pietermaritzburg

Biography

Cynthia has over 13 years of experience working in electron microscope labs and has been with UKZN for the past 7 years. She also has experience in Pulp and Paper.

Publications

  • Meincken M & Matyumza NC, 2008. Surface polarity determination of wood fibres after different pre-treatments and bisulphite pulping. South African Journal of Science, 104(11-12):453-456.

Phillip Christopher

Principal Technician -Westville

Biography

Phillip has almost 35 years’ experience in light- and electron microscopy imaging, analysis, and sample preparation. He has experience in biological and medical microscopy both clinical and research- environments. He has worked at such prestigious institutions as Red Cross Children’s Hospital, UCT, SAMRC and Duke University. He is currently embracing the challenges of High-Resolution TEM imaging and analysis of various nanomaterials.

Subashen Naidu

Principal Technician - Westville

Biography

Subashen has been under the employ of UKZN for the past 10 years as a lab technician with a focus on microscopy. He has a keen interest in all technical aspects of microscopy and microscopy-related research.

Research Interests:

– Plant Physiology

– Botany

– Advances in microscopy techniques

Publications

  • Bam R.K., Naidoo, S., Varghese B., Murugan N., Naidu S.L., Woodenberg, W., Pammenter N.W. 2017. EFFECTS OF Cathodic Invigoration Of Field Cured And Stored Rice Seeds On Plant Establishment And Growth In Three Rice Species.
  • K Naidoo, AA Chuturgoon, G Cliff, M Ellis, N Otway, MA Gregory, SD Singh, SL Naidu. Dentition causing early release of encapsulated ragged-tooth (Cacharias taurus) embryos. Environmental Biology of Fishes

Vishal Bharuth

Principal Techncian - Westville

Biography

I have been involved in recalcitrant seed research for 10 years, focusing on stress responses. I am particularly interested in ultrastructural changes that occur in these seeds when they have been stressed (e.g. cryopreservation).

Publications

  • Singh, K., Naidoo, Y., Bharuth, V., Baijnath, H. 2019. Micromorphology and histochemistry of the secretory apparatus of Plumbago auriculata Lam. South African Journal of Botany 121, 230–238
  • Onwubu, S.C., Mdluli, P.S., Singh, S., Bharuth, V. 2019. Remineralization Potential of a Modified Eggshell– Titanium Composite-Scanning Electron Microscope Study. European Journal of Dentistry 13
  • Smith, A., Cooper, A., Misra, S., Bharuth, V., Guastella, L., Botes, R. 2018. The extant shore platform stromatolite (SPS) facies association: a glimpse into the Archean? Biogeosciences, 15, 2189–2203.