Rita Sianga

Research professional with five years of experience in computational biology and bioinformatics, specializing in viral data management and evolutionary studies. Developed complex mathematical models for genomic analysis using R and HyPhy, demonstrating advanced software development and data manipulation skills. PhD graduate from University of Cape Town with a strong background in leading research projects and fostering collaborative partnerships.

• 2019, National Participant of the FameLab science talking competition - Durban, South Africa
• 2019, Winner of the Famelab science talking competition at the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA) heat - Cape Town, South Africa
• 2017, Participant of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences - European School of Management and Technology (AIMS - ESMT), Berlin, Industry Immersion program - Cape Town, South Africa
• 2017, Department of Science and Technology with National Research Foundation (DST-NRF) under South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA) bursary - Cape Town, South Africa
• 2016, MasterCard Foundation Scholar at the African Institute for Mathematical Science (AIMS) - Cape Town, South Africa

Sianga-Mete, R., Hartnady, P., Mandikumba, Word, K., Currin, C. B., Phelanyane, F., ... & Martin, D. P. (2022). Viral genome sequence datasets display pervasive evidence of strand-specific substitution biases that are best described using non-reversible nucleotide substitution models.

• 09/2020, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Epidemiology Modelling and Analysis Research Days - Virtual, Introducing a Phylogenetic Inference Web Application
• 09/2019, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Epidemiology Modelling and Analysis Research Days - Stellenbosch, South Africa, Analysis of The Impact on Phylogenetic Inference of Non-Reversible Nucleotide Substitution Models
• 05/2017, Clinic on Meaningful Modelling of Epidemiological Data (MMED) - Cape Town, South Africa, An international Clinic on Infectious Disease Dynamics and Data whose participants are taught on developing data-based, dynamical models of disease spread and using models to answer public health questions.

• 01/2024 - 12/2024, applications of statistical methods in meteorology lecturer, NIPA, Lusaka, Zambia, undertook lectures and class discussions via face-to-face instruction methods, designed and proposed curriculum adjustments and content modifications to match local and international curriculum, and make learning easier and more progressive, promoted critical thinking, personal development, and commitment among my students by providing custom lectures and assignments
• 01/2020 - 01/2021, Business Mathematics and Statistics Lecturer, Northrise University, Ndola, Zambia, undertook lectures and class discussions via remote, face-to-face, and hybrid instruction methods, designed and proposed curriculum adjustments and program modifications to match local and international curriculum, and make learning easier and more progressive, promoted critical thinking, personal development, and commitment among my students by providing custom lectures and assignments

• Biostatistics (postgraduate level)
• Research methodology (postgraduate level)
• Quantitative methods (postgraduate level)
• Mathematics for Computer science (undergraduate level)
• Business mathematics (undergraduate level)
• Statistics (undergraduate level)
• A level mathematics (undergraduate level)
• Applications of statistics in meteorology (undergraduate level)