Reagan Mohlala

Biography

Dr Reagan Mohlala a scientist at Advanced Material Division (AMD), Health Platform group. He started his research journey from 2013 to date. He has over 10 years’ experience in academic research which was conducted at University of Limpopo, Mintek and the University of the Witwatersrand using English as medium of instruction. In his research journey he obtained honours and master’s degrees in Bioorganic Chemistry at the University of Limpopo; and a PhD in Bioorganic Chemistry degree at the University of the Witwatersrand. After completing his masters in chemistry he joined the Department of Basic Education as an educator at Pine Ridge Combined School in Mpumalanga; then he went on to join Mintek under a Professional Development Program (PDP) where he enrolled for his PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand. In his research journey he presented in several conferences including: Faculty of Sciences and Agriculture, University of Limpopo Research day: 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016; SACI Convention 2015 Durban-South Africa, SACI symposium north 2013 (University of Limpopo) and 2015 (University of Venda); Frank Warren Conference (Bi-national Organic Chemistry) 2014 (University of Stellenbosch) and 2019 in and Drakensburg South Africa (University of Kwa Zulu Natal). Part of the scientific research work which he was doing during PDP within Mintek and Wits are published in accredited journals of Tetrahedron letters, Royal Society of Chemistry, Chemistry open, Frontiers in chemical engineering, Physical sciences reviews, Optical materials and Molecules. Currently the scientific research work is carried out under Biomed group at Mintek and its focuses on design and development of drug-like compounds which target to address various major diseases such as HIV, Tb and Cancer. As an ongoing research one of the highlights was discovering and developing two compounds which showed 96% anti-viral activity and the development of several green chemical production methods for safety practice in the laboratories. As a scientist in research Dr Reagan is passionate about developing and discovery of novel bio-active compounds using different synthetic methods and the practice of green chemical production in laboratories to achieve bio-active compounds towards medicinal applications.