O'Ryan Lab
LAB MEMBERS
Principal Investigator (PI): Dr 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.
EMMA FRICKEL
PhD Student
I completed my Bachelor’s, Honours and Master’s degrees at the University of Stellenbosch, where the focus of my research was to better characterise the interplay between genetic variants, brain structure, and childhood trauma, in the context of antipsychotic treatment response in schizophrenia. I have since joined the O’Ryan lab for my PhD, where I will investigate how specific genes may contribute to ASD pathology via their roles in mitochondrial function and neuronal differentiation. This will be done by manipulating gene expression in a neuronal cell culture system.
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.
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. At the end of 2021, I upgraded my Master's to a PhD project, which aims to investigate how mitochondrial dysfunction alters neuronal stem cell fate in a multipotent in vitro system. 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 .
MIGNON VAN DER WATT
MSc Student
I completed both my undergraduate BSc and BSc Med Honours degrees at the University of Cape Town. My undergraduate degree majored in Biochemistry, Genetics, and Human Anatomy and Physiology, while my honours degree specialised in Neuroscience. I joined the O’Ryan lab for my honours project in 2021. This project explored the effects of mitochondrial dysfunction on neuronal differentiation using a neuronal cell culture model system, molecular biology, and fluorescent microscopy. I’m currently building on this work while continuing with my Masters degree in the O’Ryan lab. Specifically, I’m expanding on this multidisciplinary ASD research by focusing on the contribution of fatty acid metabolism to neurodevelopment and its alterations under mitochondrial dysfunction.
KATELYN CUTTLER
Post Doctoral Research Fellow
I completed my MSc in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at the University of the Witwatersrand and my PhD in Human Genetics at Stellenbosch University. My MSc research focused on Alzheimer’s disease, while my PhD focused on Parkinson’s disease. Both projects utilized neuronal cell models in an effort to further understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of these disorders. I am fascinated by neurological disorders and the mechanisms that underly disease progression. I joined the O’Ryan lab to further my skillset and grow as a researcher.
GABRIELLE HEMMING
BMedSci Hons Student
I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of the Free State, majoring in Biochemistry and Physiology. I am currently pursuing an honours degree in Neuroscience. My research project is focused on mitochondrial morphology and dynamics in a neuronal cell model system using propionic acid-induced mitochondrial stress.
ISABELLA TANZER
BSc Hons Student
I Completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Cape Town, majoring in Biochemistry and genetics. I joined the O’Ryan lab in 2023 for my Honours year where I am focusing on the alterations of metabolism genes and proteins under mitochondrial dysfunction.
Past lab members
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Dr Sofia Stathopoulos – Postdoctoral Researcher (2014-2016)
Gerrit Van Wyk – MSc (2017)
Marita De Waal – MSc (2016)
Michaella Hulley – MSc (2016)
Katie Hamilton - MSc (2014)
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)
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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