Ms Lebogang Edith Siviya
About me
Lebogang Siviya is a PhD candidate in Botany at Nelson Mandela University, where she uses multi-omics approaches to investigate the molecular responses of sweet potato to abiotic stress. Her research focuses on advancing crop improvement and food security through biotechnology and bioinformatics. She is involved in teaching and mentoring students in molecular biology, genetics and plant biotechnology. She is also passionate about promoting sustainable agricultural research.
Lebogang Siviya is a PhD candidate in Botany at Nelson Mandela University, where she uses metabolomics, proteomics and transcriptomics to understand the molecular responses of sweet potato to abiotic stress. This research aims to contribute to crop improvement, climate resilience, and food security by advancing knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that enable crops to adapt to challenging environmental conditions. She holds an MSc in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of the Witwatersrand, where she investigated virus-host interactions in tomato, strengthening her foundation in molecular biology and plant pathology. Her research interests span plant biology, biotechnology, bioinformatics and the integrations of molecular technologies to address agricultural challenges and support sustainable food production.
In addition to her research, Lebogang is committed to teaching, mentorship and scientific capacity building. She has served as a laboratory demonstrator, facilitator, teaching assistant, and tutor supporting students in molecular biology, genetics, plant biotechnology, and research skills across several institutions. She is passionate about creating opportunities for students to develop practical and analytical skills that prepare them for their careers in science.
Lebogang has co-authored peer-reviewed publications in plant science and aims to advocate for collaborative and interdisciplinary research. Through her work, she hopes to contribute to scientific innovation, strengthen agricultural resiliences, and support the advancement of women in science by fostering inclusive research environments and mentoring the next generation of scientists.
Other Memberships/Affiliations
Degrees:
insights on root and tuber crops’ response to abiotic stress—A review. Crop
Science, 65(6). https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.70193
& Figlan, S. (2025). Biochemical Responses of Atacama and Blesbok Sweet
Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Cultivars to Early Drought Stress. Plants,
14(22), 3532. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14223532