Past Consultants' Corner

I am a Master's in Internal Medicine student with research interests in smoking cessation and multi-drug resistant bacteria. My primary research focuses on the psychological barriers to smoking cessation.

While I wrote occasionally before, the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a deeper interest in writing when I saw how scientific miscommunication led to public misinformation — the scourge of the pandemic!

I started sharing my thoughts on social media and enrolled in the Effective Writing for Healthcare course with Harvard University, leading to writing articles for mainstream media on various medical topics. I also write a blog where I share reflections and other non-medical issues that fascinate me. I firmly believe that effective writing unlocks valuable opportunities.

I am still learning about clear and purposeful writing, and find that sharing the lessons I am learning enhances my own clarity and purpose — a philosophy I bring to my work in the Writing Lab.

I began formal training at the FHS Writing Lab in 2023 and recognise that while this is a space to offer support to students in their writing practice, it is also a space to develop my own writing. I look forward to building reciprocal relationships with clients as we troubleshoot and problem-solve pieces of writing together, in a respectful, easygoing yet methodical manner. My consulting strengths include reflective writing, working towards cohesive writing and proposal development.

In 2020, I graduated with an MPhil in the Department of Health Sciences Education (DHSE) here at FHS, earning a distinction for my dissertation on teamwork in undergraduate students. Currently a PhD candidate in the DHSE, my research interests lie at the intersection of human resources management, psychology and education. In my 'real' life, I am a mom of 4 young boys, a role that brings legitimacy to my life and shapes all the paths I walk upon.

Ansuya is in her second year as a Master of Science candidate in the Division of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. Her current research involves documenting the trauma and incidence of electrical deaths on a provincial scale. The beginning of her science career started at UCT, where she obtained a BSc degree in Physiology and Genetics. She then went to the University of the Witwatersrand to complete her Bachelor of Health Science Honours in Forensic Science.

Postgraduate studying has given her hindsight into the challenges faced when starting her academic journey, and so she places importance on guiding others on their pursuits in writing. She strongly believes that there is something to be learned from every interaction and looks forward to engaging with students and staff.

Veneshley is a PhD candidate in Medical Microbiology at the Molecular Mycobacterial Research Unit, in the Faculty of Health Sciences. She holds BSc (Hons) and MSc (Med) qualifications in infectious disease and immunology. As a young aspiring researcher, she is driven by the desire to develop tools that can be used to combat infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. Her drive and passion for impactful science exemplify her true qualities as a future leading researcher in biomedical sciences. Her academic writing began when she started her honours at UCT. This was a major change for her, but it allowed her to grow and expand her knowledge and understanding of academic writing. She believes that her academic journey will be of great help to students because her experiences have taught her to be swift, adaptable, open-minded, and willing to teach and serve to the best of her ability.

Medical research scientist with a piqued interest in developing knowledge-driven recombinant antibody-based therapeutics and diagnostics for the treatment and management of cancer and infectious diseases. Committed to the field of research and development, with the aim of combining protein engineering, biotechnology, biochemistry and chemistry to cater for unmet medical needs. Ultimate career goals include the translation and implementation of basic laboratory science into tangible human health benefits, and ultimately finding novel strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. A valuable member of a successful multi-disciplinary team who can perform and thrive under highly pressurised working environments.

Nontobeko is a PhD graduate in Clinical Science & Immunology at the Institute of Infectious Disease & Molecular Medicine. She holds BSc (Hons) and MSc (Med) qualifications in infectious disease and immunology. As a researcher, her interest lies in understanding mechanisms involved in disease manifestation — an insight through which novel therapeutic interventions can be identified. Nontobeko worked at the Faculty of Health Sciences Writing Lab from 2018, an opportunity that came at the right time as she was beginning her journey in academia. She is cognisant and appreciative of the extensive impact that working at the Writing Lab has had on her as an academic, and enjoys sharing her knowledge and learning from all the students that she works with. To her, learning is life-long, and she therefore approaches every consultation as an opportunity for growth. She is fluent in IsiZulu and English, and can also understand IsiXhosa, which facilitates better communication with students who may be struggling to express themselves in English.

I am a results-driven professional with a demonstrated history of working in cross-functional teams. I am a self-motivated, action-oriented individual who enjoys communicating cutting-edge data to improve patient care. Skilled in medical communication, molecular biology, KOL engagement and medical education. I am deeply passionate about using my scientific expertise to make a difference in health care.

[Bio to be added.]

As the curtain falls on this phase…

We always start a journey without knowing exactly how it will end, but you hope to come out in one piece and touch people's lives positively along the way. That is my story as a writing consultant or coach (whichever you prefer). I was straight from a master's degree and starting a doctorate, with my eye on finishing in record time. Yes! It was my PhD that inspired me to apply to work at the Health Sciences Writing Lab.

Our clients always ask me, "why did you pick this job?". Well, I didn't apply for the job because I was sure of academic literacy and writing skills and wanted to talk about supporting others. No, I didn't! Instead, the opposite is true. I had heard that the PhD was going to test my writing abilities to the core, so I decided that the best way to face this 'insurmountable' challenge was to throw myself at it and learn. I decided that by exposing myself to all sorts of academic genres, I would become comfortable with academic literacy and excel in my PhD. So, for me, working at the Writing Lab was motivated by the need to learn and, in retrospect, I am glad for choosing that path of learning; I don't know if I have overcome all my fears yet, but I do know that I have gained by waking up every day and doing this job (even during the pandemic and lockdown).

What I hadn't anticipated was the fulfilling experience I would have in meeting everyday people in UCT Health Sciences and other faculties within the consultation space. I shared in their struggles to becoming better writers, their 'melt down' moments when they'd received negative feedback from supervisors, and their anxiety during task analysis sessions. And what about the high-school leavers who stumble into the 'Becoming a Professional' (BP) course and portfolio essays without the slightest idea of the academic essay genre? I remember moments in the consultation room when the space became tense and the writing task became confusing, yet we often found a solution in the end. Truly, it wasn't just about the 'glooms', but also the 'glamours'.

Moments of happiness, joy, and a sense of fulfilment. Clients coming back for another appointment because the previous one helped them receive positive feedback from supervisors or higher marks (although we don't measure academic development by marks). Clients dropping off cards or sending emails to say 'Thank you!' for the writing support because they have passed their thesis or assessment. Clients meeting you on the road and saying thank you because the grant proposal for their PhD studies that you helped with was successful. I will never forget an experience that I had on public transport when I met a friendly 'stranger' who was all smiles once she saw me. Just when I was about to ask where we had met, she apologised for not coming back to thank the Writing Lab, and me in particular, for all the help received during the process of writing up her master's thesis. She said, "You won't believe it, but my thesis came back with only minor corrections and a distinction!". These were the moments I lived for. These moments brought me back to the Writing Lab every day. Knowing that we are helping everyday ordinary people, like ourselves, to find their feet and voices in the academic space, and navigate the rigorous process of writing in academia, made all the difference.

And yet, there comes a moment when the curtain falls, and here I am now.

I want to put it on record that I enjoyed working in this space. I enjoyed working with the entire Writing Lab team — Natashia, Taahira, Nonto, Sli and Nonku. I learnt a lot working on different projects and workshops with all of you. I will miss the intellectual engagement of our journal club a lot. I will miss my clients and the consultation space. It has been a great learning space for me, and I want to share some of the most important things I have learnt:

• Sometimes, what you call a 'disadvantage' may be an opportunity for self-development and an opportunity to help others develop. Who else can talk about this better than myself? Academic literacy was never my strong point, but here I am since 2016, supporting others in their writing journeys.
• No one is a 'good' or 'bad' writer. Practice and the quest for development is what makes all the difference (I am sure that most of my clients will agree with me on this one).
• Critical feedback is not just an accessory but is important for academic writing development. Even when given in bad faith, it can aid in making you a better writer.
• Some of the best feedback that will nudge you in the right direction for development may initially look "too" critical, until you change the lens you are looking at it with.
• The consultation is an engagement and discussion space where both the giver and receiver of feedback can learn.

These are just a few off the top of my head.

The question now is, "where are you going from here?". Sincerely, that question reminds me of the foggy days in Cape Town, when you can barely see just ahead of you. I don't know too much about the journey ahead, but I know enough to say that the next phase is starting with a Postdoctoral position that will help in developing policies to fight adolescent obesity in South Africa.

Please wish me well as the curtain falls on this phase, and a new one begins. Okay, I am done!