Experience

Technology Innovation Agency

• South Africa
• Government Relations Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Non Executive Director

  • Jan 2022 - Present

  I have a long career in the technology transfer (technology commercialisation) environment in a wide range of roles. As a researcher I was involved in various fields of biotechnology research culminating in me leading a transgenic maize research program at the University of Cape Town. As an inventor I was involved in the development of a basket of technologies directed at genetically engineering drought tolerance in plants. Patents for one of the technologies has been granted in USA and China. Other patents are in prosecution. In addition to my scientific qualifications, I also obtained an LLB degree with electives including intellectual property law, forensic medicine and environmental law, an LLM in Intellectual Property Law and an MBA. My thesis here was directed at royalty rate calculation for biotechnology products. During 2016, I was awarded a Fellowship in the Leaders in Innovation programme, which is run by the Royal Academy of Engineering and funded by the UK Government Department of Business, Innovation and Skills’ Newton Fund programme. Here I was placed first at the pitching event amongst the South African cohort. In 2020, I was placed first at the Ocean Innovation Africa start-up pitching competition, whilst representing Aequorea, in my capacity as interim CEO. In October 2016, I joined Cape Peninsula University of Technology as Director of the Technology Transfer Office. Here I played a central role in the creation of the holding company of CPUT, Aonyx Holdings. I have served as the CEO of the company from inception. I have also been active in the development of university spin-offs. These include four companies at CPUT, three of which I serve in the capacity of interim CEO. During January 2022, I was appointed to the Board of the Technology Innovation Agency as Non-Executive Director. Show less



Cape Peninsula University of Technology

• South Africa
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director: Technology Transfer & Industry Linkages

  • Oct 2016 - Present



AONYX HOLDINGS

• South Africa
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Jan 2019 - Present



University of Cape Town

• South Africa
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Business Development Manager

  • Apr 2014 - Sep 2016

  The primary focus of my position is the analysis and “packaging” of IP in the UCT portfolio into a “commercialisable” form. The stage of the IP’s development as well as the market that it will be entering will be assessed, which will bring in regulatory and clinical trial requirements as well as indicate the scale of commercial manufacture. The primary focus of my position is the analysis and “packaging” of IP in the UCT portfolio into a “commercialisable” form. The stage of the IP’s development as well as the market that it will be entering will be assessed, which will bring in regulatory and clinical trial requirements as well as indicate the scale of commercial manufacture.



UCT

• Chief Research Administrator

  • Jan 2012 - Mar 2014

  I led the transgenic maize research program in the Plant Stress Unit at the University of Cape Town. Here, most of my time was spent in project management, which included strategic planning, as well as overseeing personnel and finances.

• Biotechnologist

  • Jan 2005 - Dec 2011