Introduction of the Science Advisory Committee Member: Thulani MAKHALANYANE

Thulani MAKHALANYANE, Stellenbosch University - South Africa

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1. Science · EyeNzululwazi ngezeNdalo · Natuurwetenskappe Expertise & Perspective Thulani Makhalanyane, Stellenbosch University, Microbiome research Chair: SARChI in African Microbiome Innovation • Prior Antarctic/polar experience: My Ph.D. focused on niche communities in the Antarctic. The work focused on elucidating the taxonomy and function of these communities. During my postdoc, and at the start of my academic career, I focused on expanding this research to focus on gaining a mechanistic understanding of how environmental conditions shape the evolution of Antarctic and Southern Ocean microbiomes. Core research areas Broadly, our research focuses on human and ecosystem health. Our Antarctic/Southern Ocean aims to understand microbial contributions to biogeochemical recycling and their potential feedbacks. Technical expertise: I am a molecular microbiologist with expertise in bioinformatics.
2. Science · EyeNzululwazi ngezeNdalo · Natuurwetenskappe Strategic scientific opportunities • High-impact science questions aligned with global priorities (e.g., sea level, marine genomics, astrophysics) - Gaining mechanistic insights regarding microbial contributions to carbon sequestration, nutrient recycling in trace element limited SO waters and Antarctica - Contribute to global initiatives through providing gene and genome catalogs - Understand how host-microbe interactions contribute to ecosystem resilience and stability • Interdisciplinary opportunities - Understanding how melting sea-ice drives biogeochemical recycle (e.g. current DMSP program) - Science that is currently difficult or impossible to conduct elsewhere - Using genome resolved metagenomics to understand microbial evolution, stress response • Equipment, logistics, grand ideas that would be needed to support the science. - Developing capability for in silico short and long-read sequencing - Capacity for integrated multiomic workflows (e.g. LC-ms, GC-ms etc). - Grand ideas? Make these systems autonomous and near real time.