O'Ryan Lab
LAB MEMBERS
Principal Investigator (PI): Associate Professor Colleen O`Ryan
I started my career in Molecular Evolution in a group (University of Cape Town) that had a strong interest in mitochondrial function and evolution. Here I completed my PhD in Evolutionary and Population Genetics, which was followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute of Zoology (University College, London, UK).  I have published in the fields of evolutionary, population and behavioural genetics using a range of molecular approaches in combination with demography, behavioural and life-history traits. My research shifted focus in 2014 to examine the association of ASD with epigenetic loci and to understand the molecular pathways that underpin ASD. I am currently an academic in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town (UCT).
Current members of the lab
SOPHIA BAM
PhD Student
After doing a Phylogenetics and Populations Genetics MSc at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, I worked as a DST-NRF Research intern at UCT. My internship period was spread across three different labs, the Leishmania lab, Bacteriology lab and Autism lab at MCB. It was during my internship when I developed an interest in ASD and transcriptomics. My PhD research in the O`Ryan lab focuses on investigating gene expression patterns in ASD in a South African cohort. I have a special interest in quality of life research and the application of Bioinformatics in this area of research.
CAITLYN MAHONY
PhD Student
I completed my undergraduate BSc and Honours degrees at UCT, where I majored in Genetics and Biochemistry. I have been part of the O' Ryan lab since my Honours year in 2019, focusing on cross-talk between mitochondrial dysfunction and the regulation of neurogenesis. I am particularly interested in trying to integrate this molecular work with emerging psychosocial fields of ASD research to understand how underlying molecular mechanisms might contribute to negative clinical outcomes, autistic burnout, psychopathology and poor quality of life.
ERIN BUCHANAN
PhD Student
I completed my undergraduate and Honours degrees at UCT, majoring in Genetics and Biochemistry. My honours project involved investigating the impact of the oxidative stress hydrogen peroxide on mitochondrial morphology and function. I graduated with my MSc in 2022, which investigated how mitochondrial dysfunction affects mitochondrial dynamics and morphology. I am now continuing with my PhD research exploring different methods used to visualize cell morphology and will be experimenting with electron and fluorescence microscopy.
DANIE BOTES
PhD Student
I completed my undergraduate and BSc Hons degrees at North-West University (NWU) in Potchefstroom, specializing in Physiology and Psychology. I obtained my MSc in Biomedical Science at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), focussing on early biomarkers for type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Throughout my academic journey, I have maintained a profound interest in mitochondrial and immunological processes which has culminated in my current research on ASD at the University of Cape Town.
GABRIELLE HEMMING
MSc Student
I completed my BSc majoring in Biochemistry & Physiology at the University of the Free State (UFS) in 2022. I joined the O'Ryan lab in 2023 as part of my BMedSc (Hons) in Neuroscience & Physiology. I am currently pursuing my MSc degree, which investigates the crosstalk between calcium signalling and mitochondrial dysfunction in the context of ASD. My project focuses specifically on a calcium-dependent protein called Doc2B.
JORDYN SOLDIN
MSc Student
I completed my BSc in Genetics and Biochemistry at UCT, along with my Honours in Molecular and Cell Biology. This Honours project explored the phase separation potential of Human Transcription Factor IIB and how it may play a significant role as a scaffold protein in the formation of transcription initiation complex condensates. Currently I am competing my MSc in the O' Ryan lab investigating mitochondrial trafficking in a neuronal-like cell line and how this trafficking is affected when the system is exposed to propionic acid, inducing mitochondrial stress. I have a special interest in the phase separation potential of synaptic and neuronal proteins, and how dysfunction in these processes leads to varied pathologies.
Past lab members
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Dr Sofia Stathopoulos – Postdoctoral Researcher (2014-2016)
Dr Katelyn Cuttler - Post Doctoral Fellow (2023 - 2024)
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Mignon van Der Watt - MSc (2024)
Gerrit Van Wyk – MSc (2017)
Marita De Waal – MSc (2016)
Michaella Hulley – MSc (2016)
Katie Hamilton - MSc (2014)
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Sarah Macleod - Honours (2022)
Talya Kebonte - Honours (2022)
Aqeelah Sedick - Honours (2021)
David Newey – Honours (2017)
Luqman Mohamed – Honours (2016)
Bianca Abrahams – Honours (2015)
Shelley Smith – Honours (2014)
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Antonette Nell – Research Assistant (2017 - 2018)
Melissa Stander – Research Assistant (2017-2018)
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Sophia Bam – DST-NRF Research Intern (2019)​
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