NRF Youth Month 2025: Busisiwe Nomnganga

The NRF supports the growth of the next generation of researchers and scholars to sustain South Africa’s knowledge enterprise. June is Youth Month, and this year the NRF is celebrating the youth who are shaping tomorrow through research today. We thank all participants for sharing their stories with us.

Ms Busisiwe Nomnganga is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She received funding from the NRF for her Master’s and PhD studies.

How did your journey start?

My academic journey has been one of perseverance, resilience, and rediscovery. I completed Grade 12 in 2015 at Lamontville High School with a bachelor’s pass and two distinctions. Despite this, I didn’t qualify for my desired field of study, which was disheartening.

I enrolled at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Howard College in 2016 for a Bachelor of Social Science in Geography and Environmental Science — my first successful application to a public university. However, by the third month, I realised that the course wasn’t for me. I had no funding or accommodation, which made things even more difficult. Then, something unexpected happened — a turning point. During a lecture, I received a message from Star Schools about the Zenex Foundation Scholarship to upgrade my Math, Physics, and English marks. I had no idea how they found me, but I took a chance. I wrote their entrance test, passed, and within that same week, I made the bold decision to deregister from UKZN and focus on upgrading my marks.

In 2017, my upgraded results earned me a place in the BSc Augmented Programme at UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg campus. I majored in Biochemistry and Microbiology and completed the degree in 2020. From there, I was one of only six students accepted into the 2021 Honours in Biochemistry program — a huge milestone!

My Honours research, supervised by Dr Pamela Mkhize, explored the role of Lactobacillus in protecting against fungal and bacterial infections, both known HIV risk factors in South African women. Dr Mkhize has contributed tremendously to my HIV research journey by supervising me from Honours until now. This sparked my passion for women’s health and HIV prevention.

I then pursued a Master’s of Science in Biochemistry (2022–2023), funded by the NRF, where I investigated the role of vaginal Lactobacillus in suppressing Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida albicans, key players in bacterial vaginosis and HIV risk. My project was a great success, both academically and personally, and cemented my desire to focus on HIV prevention through microbial and mucosal research. Today, I am proud to be pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry, also funded by the NRF.

My path has been far from linear, but each detour has brought me closer to my purpose. I am proof that with determination, support, and courage, even unexpected journeys can lead to meaningful destinations.

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

I have been fortunate to receive funding from the National Research Foundation (NRF), which supported both my Master’s and current PhD studies. This support has been instrumental in enabling me to pursue advanced research focused on vaginal microbiota, bacterial vaginosis, and mucosal inflammation associated with HIV risk.

The NRF’s funding has not only relieved financial pressure but also empowered me to fully dedicate myself to impactful scientific work. It allowed me to gain valuable research experience, contribute to knowledge in women’s health and HIV prevention, and grow as a young African scientist.

Personally, the support gave me the confidence and stability to focus on my goals and believe in the relevance of my research to real-world health challenges.

What is your research focus/ area of expertise?

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry, and my research focuses on understanding the pathogenic and immunomodulatory roles of extracellular vesicles (EVs) produced by vaginal Gardnerella species. These bacteria are strongly associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV), a condition linked to increased mucosal inflammation and heightened HIV susceptibility in women.

My work involves characterising these EVs under inflammatory conditions and investigating how they might contribute to changes in the vaginal environment that weaken mucosal barriers or trigger immune activation. By studying these microscopic messengers, I hope to uncover mechanisms by which Gardnerella may promote or sustain infection — and how this may influence women’s vulnerability to HIV.

My broader area of expertise lies at the intersection of microbial pathogenesis, mucosal immunology, and women’s reproductive health, with a strong emphasis on HIV prevention through understanding vaginal microbiota-host interactions.

How is your research helping to shape a better future?

My research aims to address critical public health challenges affecting women, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where bacterial vaginosis (BV) and HIV are highly prevalent. By investigating how Gardnerella-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs)influence vaginal inflammation and mucosal immunity, I hope to uncover new insights into how BV may contribute to increased HIV risk. This work has the potential to identify novel biomarkersor therapeutic targets that could be used to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of BV and its complications.

In the long term, my goal is to support the development of targeted interventions that promote a healthier vaginal environment, reduce inflammation, and ultimately help lower HIV acquisition rates in vulnerable populations. By improving our understanding of the invisible microbial and immune interactions happening in the female reproductive tract, my research contributes to a future where women’s health is better protected and preventable infections no longer drive inequality or disease.

Being a young researcher often means juggling numerous responsibilities and expectations. How do you stay motivated and/or balanced?

Staying motivated as a young researcher comes from remembering why I started — to contribute to meaningful change in women’s health and HIV prevention. My passion for research that can positively impact vulnerable communities keeps me focused, even during challenging times.

Balance, for me, is about being intentional. I set small, achievable goals to stay on track, and I allow myself space to rest and recharge without guilt. Surrounding myself with a strong support system —mentors, peers, and family — has also been essential. Their encouragement reminds me that I’m not alone on this journey.

I’ve also learned to celebrate the small wins, whether it’s finishing an experiment, submitting a paper, or simply getting through a tough week. These moments help me stay grounded and remind me of the progress I’m making, one step at a time.

What has been your proudest achievement to date?

Earning my Master’s degree in Biochemistry with excellent marks after overcoming significant academic and personal challenges. What makes this accomplishment so meaningful is the journey behind it — starting from not qualifying for my dream field, having to deregister and upgrade my marks, and then successfully building my path into science through determination and resilience.

My master’s research, which focused on the role of vaginal Lactobacillus in controlling infections linked to HIV risk, not only affirmed my passion for women’s health and microbial research but also laid the foundation for my current PhD. Knowing that my work could one day contribute to better health outcomes for women makes this achievement even more fulfilling.

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