Name: Oriel Thekisoe
Affiliation: North-West University
Position: Foreign Visiting Researcher
Term: April 2025 – May 2025
Host researcher: Prof. Noboru Inoue
Circumstances of application:
I have been collaborating with NRCPD for 15 years since 2010 to date and currently NRCPD has MOU with my institution (North-West University). Our research collaboration has always been on epidemiology and control of protozoan parasites and their vectors. Hence, I applied for the Foreign Visiting Researcher position at NRCPD in order to conduct experiments on insect vectors from South Africa and to participate in other laboratory activities including seminars and mentoring of students.
Research activity in NRCPD:
My research project is titled “Exploration of endosymbionts and bacterial communities of Tabanid and Stomoxys flies from South Africa”. I have been able to conduct experiments for genetic identification of various tabanid and Stomoxys flies and have also genetically detected important endosymbionts of these flies. Some of the endosymbionts affect the flies positively, whilst others have negative effects on the flies. Results of these experiments will enable us to conduct future studies where we will manipulate these endosymbionts for controlling these blood-feeding flies which transmit disease-causing pathogens to animals.
Future prospects:
With ongoing research collaboration, we will draft and submit a manuscript for publication in peer-reviewed journal. Furthermore, we will be applying for joint research grant (Africa-Japan Collaborative Research) between South Africa and Japan for project on control of blood feeding flies in South Africa in the next 3 years.