Neural circuits & behaviour
Local field potential recordings to measure LPS-induced seizures in a model of neurocystercicosis mouse hippocampal organotypic brain slices.
Science · Research · Scholarship
Academic Profile
Doctoral research in neuroscience at Oxford, with a curiosity about brain, behaviour, and what motivates us to do things.
Education
Academic journey
2025 – Present
DPhil in Neuroscience
University of Oxford · St John's College
Doctoral research with Catherine Harmer and Morten Kringelbach. Funded by the Rhodes Scholarship and the Clarendon Fund.
2025
MSc in Neuroscience (Taught)
University of Oxford · Merit
2022 – 2024
MSc in Medicine in Neuroscience (Research)
University of Cape Town · Distinction
2021
BMedSc Honours in Neuroscience & Physiology
University of Cape Town · Distinction
2018 – 2020
BSc in Human Anatomy, Physiology & Genetics
University of Cape Town · Distinction
Additional coursework in Computer Science and Statistics.
Research interests
The questions I have asked
Molecular neuroscience
Single-nucleus RNA sequencing to characterise cellular diversity in mouse hippocampal organotypic brain slices.
Translational neuroscience
Transcranial magnetic stimulation to target tremors in Parkinson's disease and Essential tremors patients and Magnetoenchalography to understand sensory inference.
Apathy & esketamine
My current research investigates the neural and behavioural underpinnings of apathy — the loss of motivation that affects both healthy individuals and patients — and explores how esketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant, can restore or modulate this drive/motivation to act.
Awards & scholarships
Recognition & funding
Oxford College Prize
2025 · St John's College, Oxford
Rhodes Scholarship
2024 · Rhodes Trust, University of Oxford
Clarendon Fund Scholarship
2024 · University of Oxford
Mandela Rhodes Scholarship
2022 · Mandela Rhodes Foundation
Neuroscience Institute Honours Award
2021 · University of Cape Town
Moshal Scholarship Program
2018 · Moshal Scholarship Program
Best Pitch · Business Innovation
2025 · Cleva Summit
Dean's Merit List
2018 – 2020 · UCT Science Faculty
Golden Key Honour Society
2019 · Top 15% of students