NRF Women's Month 2026: Dr Khuthala Mnika

Every research journey starts with a question. This Women’s Month, the NRF celebrates women driven by curiosity — researchers whose questions, ideas and determination are expanding our understanding of the world around us. From exploring the unknown to deepening our existing knowledge, curiosity remains at the heart of discovery. We thank all participants for sharing their stories with us.

Dr Khuthala Mnika is a Senior Lecturer in Human Genetics at the University of Cape Town. She received funding from the NRF throughout her postgraduate journey, and she is currently supported by an NRF Thuthuka grant. Her research focuses on understanding the genetic causes of inherited kidney diseases in African populations.

How has your affiliation with the NRF impacted your studies/career?

My relationship with the National Research Foundation (NRF) spans my entire academic and research career and reflects sustained investment in my development as a researcher. I was awarded an NRF Honours Scholarship in 2014 at the University of the Free State, followed by an NRF Research Internship (2015 – 2016) at the University of Cape Town, which provided valuable research experience and strengthened my skills in project management, scientific writing, data analysis, and research translation. I subsequently received NRF Master’s funding (2016 – 2017) and NRF PhD funding (2017 – 2020) at the University of Cape Town, which enabled me to build a strong foundation in human genetics and genomic research.

As an early-career academic and now a Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town, I have continued my relationship with the NRF through two consecutive NRF Thuthuka Research Grants (2023 – 2025 and 2026 – 2028). These grants have been instrumental in establishing and expanding my independent research programme, supporting postgraduate student training, strengthening research capacity, and advancing genomic research on kidney disease in South Africa. In addition, I received NRF support to attend the NRF Symposium in 2025, providing an important platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and research dissemination.

The NRF has played a pivotal role in my academic and professional development, supporting my progression from an Honours student to an independent researcher and research leader. This sustained partnership has enabled me to contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s research and innovation agenda through high-quality research, capacity development, and mentorship of the next generation of scientists.

I am honoured to be part of the NRF community and remain committed to ensuring that the knowledge, skills, and opportunities I have received are translated into meaningful scientific and societal impact.

What is your research focus or area of expertise?

My research focuses on understanding the genetic causes of inherited kidney diseases in African populations. Inherited kidney diseases are conditions that run in families and are caused by changes in a person’s DNA (like a recipe book). Many people with these conditions experience years of uncertainty because the underlying cause of their disease is never identified, making it difficult to provide the right treatment, predict disease progression, or offer appropriate advice to family members.

Through the Genomics of Inherited Kidney Disease in Africa project, I use advanced genomic technologies to identify the genetic changes responsible for kidney disease in African patients and families. This research is especially important because African populations remain significantly underrepresented in global genomic databases, meaning that many genetic variants found in Africans are poorly understood. By generating African genomic data, my research helps improve the accuracy of genetic diagnosis and contributes to more equitable healthcare.

Ultimately, my goal is to make genomic medicine accessible to African patients with inherited kidney disease. By improving diagnosis, enabling earlier and more personalised care, and identifying at-risk family members before they develop severe disease, this research has the potential to improve patient outcomes while also contributing to global knowledge about kidney disease genetics.

Alongside this work, I am committed to training the next generation of African scientists and strengthening research collaborations across the continent to build sustainable capacity in genomic medicine.

What sparked your curiosity about your field of research, and what continues to keep you curious?

My curiosity about kidney disease genomics was sparked during my early research training, when I saw the devastating impact that kidney disease has on patients and their families. I was particularly struck by the fact that many individuals with inherited kidney disease spent years without a clear diagnosis because the genetic causes of their condition were unknown.

At the same time, I realised that African populations were largely missing from genomic research, meaning that many patients could not fully benefit from advances in genetic medicine. This inspired me to pursue research that would help close this gap.

What is one thing you wish more people understood about your field of research?

I wish more people understood that genomics is much more than studying DNA, it is a powerful tool for improving patient care. For people living with kidney disease, genomic research can provide an accurate diagnosis, guide treatment decisions, and help identify family members who may also be at risk.

I also wish people recognised the importance of including African populations in genomic research. African genomes hold immense genetic diversity, yet they remain underrepresented in global studies. By studying African populations, we can discover African-specific disease-causing variants, improve the accuracy of genetic testing, and ensure that the benefits of precision medicine are available to everyone.

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