Mr Athi Welsh

Mr Athi Welsh’s research interest is in the use of small molecule and macromolecular transition metal-based molecules as chemotherapeutic agents. This metal-based approach provides a novel, lesser-explored route to eradicating cancer and potentially provides new modes of action, a nascent field of research, targeting diseases not only endemic to sub-Saharan Africa but also globally. It is anticipated that his work will yield novel metallodrugs with improved cellular accumulation and activity in anticancer chemotherapy. Mr Welsh completed his tertiary studies at the University of Cape Town, graduating with a BSc in Chemistry and Biochemistry and a BSc Honours in Chemistry. His awards include, among others, the Gordon Percy Memorial Award, and the James Moir medal of the South African Chemical Institute. Currently, he is a PhD candidate in the Chemistry Department at UCT. He has published three high-quality research papers, one of which appeared in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, and presented at five conference proceedings. Recently, he was selected as one of 600 global young scientists to take part in the prestigious 71st Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting.