Short CV
Hester G. (Trudi) O’Neill (née Van Rensburg) obtained her PhD from the University of Pretoria in 2001, whilst employed as a researcher at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute. Her research focussed mainly on foot-and-mouth disease recombinant vaccine development. Specifically, it involved the establishment of a reverse genetics system using a genome-length infectious cDNA clone of one of the endemic FMD serotypes. She worked as post-doctoral fellow at the University of Cape Town in Medical Biochemistry with Prof. Ed Sturrock as host and at the North-West University with Prof. Albie van Dijk as host. In 2012 she joins the Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology at the University of the Free State as senior lecturer in Biochemistry. Current research focuses on the development of a low-cost rotavirus vaccine for use in Africa, specifically through the expression of virus-like particles in yeast. Investigations into rotavirus-host interactions, specifically, the role of lipids during rotavirus infection, are another research focus. The newly developed rotavirus reverse genetics system will be employed during these investigations. In addition, studies into rotavirus strain diversity, specifically in Mozambique, are investigated. This work involves whole genome rotavirus characterization using next-generation sequencing technologies. She is the interim chair of the African Research Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases (ARNTD), an African-based network that is aimed at empowering current and future African researchers to support evidence-based control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases.
Publications
Publications (Short List)
Publications since 2012:
Research
Area(s) of Interest
Courses Presented
Community Service
Service Learning
Economic and Management Sciences
Education
Health Sciences
The Humanities
Law
Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Open Distance Learning
Theology and Religion
Business School
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