Mr Marakiya T. Moetlediwa is a third-year doctoral candidate in Physiology at the University of Cape Town (UCT), affiliated with the Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council. His doctoral research investigates the role of adipocyte-derived biomarkers in cardiac physiology, aiming to uncover cellular mechanisms linking obesity to cardiovascular complications. He holds a Master of Science in Biochemistry, obtained with distinction from North-West University.

Mr Moetlediwa has contributed to 15 peer-reviewed journal publications, with additional articles accepted for publication, as well as a co-authored book chapter. His international research experience includes a 2025 research visit to the Mediterranean Centre for Molecular Medicine (INSERM) in France. His academic excellence has been recognised through the National Research Foundation KIC Travel Grant and his induction into the Golden Key International Honour Society for outstanding academic performance.