Dr. Keabetswe Ncube | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Post Doctoral Researcher at Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa

Dr. Keabetswe Ncube is a distinguished geneticist and postdoctoral research fellow at Tshwane University of Technology, specializing in goat genomics, transcriptomics, and livestock improvement. She holds a PhD in Genetics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and has made significant contributions to animal genetics through her research on growth performance, meat science, and genomic selection. Her work has been recognized with numerous grants, scholarships, and awards, including the Junior Chamber International Top Young Persons Award and the Inspiring50 South Africa recognition. Dr. Ncube has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and presented at international conferences, demonstrating her expertise in bioinformatics, next-generation sequencing, and livestock breeding. With extensive research and teaching experience, she has also mentored postgraduate students and collaborated on international projects. Passionate about advancing agricultural genomics, she actively engages in community-based breeding programs and science outreach initiatives, making her a leading figure in animal genetics and biotechnology.

Professional Profile

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Education

Dr. Keabetswe Ncube has a strong academic background in genetics and biotechnology. She earned her PhD in Genetics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2020, focusing on gene expression profiling of South African indigenous goat breeds to identify genes associated with growth and meat quality traits. Prior to that, she completed her MSc in Life Sciences at the University of South Africa in 2016, where she researched the maternal lineages and genetic diversity of the growth hormone gene in South African goat populations. Her undergraduate studies were at Tshwane University of Technology, where she obtained a Bachelor of Technology in Biotechnology in 2012 and a National Diploma in Biotechnology in 2011. Her academic journey has equipped her with expertise in genomics, transcriptomics, bioinformatics, and molecular genetics, laying the foundation for her impactful research in livestock genetics and animal science.

Professional Experience

Dr. Keabetswe Ncube has extensive professional experience in animal genetics, biotechnology, and research development. Currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Tshwane University of Technology, she focuses on livestock genomics and breeding strategies. She has previously worked as a Genomics Specialist at Inqaba Biotechnical (ZooOmics), where she applied advanced molecular techniques to animal genetic research. She also served as an Associate Medical Writer at Nucleus Global in the UK. Her earlier experience includes roles at the Agricultural Research Council, where she contributed to genome-wide studies, RNA sequencing, and livestock breeding programs. Dr. Ncube has also been actively involved in community-based breeding programs, assisting farmers in genetic selection and livestock improvement. Additionally, she has worked as a laboratory assistant in microbiology and quality control roles at Mageu Number 1 and Tshwane University of Technology. Her diverse professional background highlights her expertise in research, academia, industry applications, and science communication.

Research Interest

Dr. Keabetswe Ncube’s research interests focus on animal genetics, genomics, and livestock improvement, with a particular emphasis on indigenous South African goat breeds. Her work explores transcriptomics, functional genomics, and population genetics to enhance meat quality, growth performance, and overall livestock productivity. She specializes in next-generation sequencing, genome-wide association studies, and RNA sequencing to identify genetic markers linked to economically important traits. Dr. Ncube is also passionate about applying genomic tools to improve animal breeding programs, particularly in community-based settings. Her research extends to meat genomics, carcass quality, and the genetic factors influencing livestock adaptation to environmental stress. Additionally, she is involved in investigating the medicinal properties of goat milk and its potential applications in health and cosmetics. Through her work, she aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical agricultural advancements, ultimately contributing to sustainable livestock farming and food security in Africa.

Award and Honor

Dr. Keabetswe Ncube has received numerous prestigious awards and honors in recognition of her contributions to genetics and animal science research. She was a recipient of the Gauteng Department of Rural Development Grant in 2011 and secured multiple scholarships, including the National Research Foundation Innovation Masters’ Scholarship (2013-2014) and the Agricultural Research Council Professional Development Doctoral Grant (2017-2020). Her academic excellence earned her the Junior Chamber International Top Young Persons of the Year Award in 2017 and the 1st Prize for Best PhD Scientific Poster at the ARC Professional Development Programme in 2018. She was named among the Inspiring50 South Africa in 2021 and recognized as one of the Sunday World Heroic Women in 2022. Further solidifying her impact in STEM, she was honored as one of the “10 Most Inspiring and Impactful STEM Women World Changers” in 2023, reflecting her dedication to advancing science and mentorship.

Research Skill

Dr. Keabetswe Ncube possesses a diverse range of advanced research skills in genetics, bioinformatics, and animal science. She is proficient in statistical bioinformatics data analysis using tools such as SAS and R, as well as specialized genomics software like BEAGLE, AMOVA, and Arlequin. Her expertise includes next-generation sequencing, RNA isolation, transcriptional profiling, Sanger sequencing, and Illumina Infinium SNP chip genotyping. She has extensive experience in functional and population genomics, primer design, rolling circle amplification, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for livestock improvement. Additionally, she has conducted field sampling, blood collection, and genetic diversity analyses. Beyond laboratory work, she has applied her research skills in community-based breeding programs and livestock growth performance monitoring. With her strong communication abilities and experience in lecturing advanced animal breeding and genetics, she seamlessly integrates research with education, contributing to the development of future scientists while advancing genetic research in livestock production.

Conclusion

Dr. Keabetswe Ncube demonstrates outstanding research excellence, with a strong record in genetics, publications, and awards. Her impact extends beyond academia into community engagement and policy influence. To further strengthen her candidacy, expanding interdisciplinary collaborations, securing leadership roles in global organizations, and increasing industry contributions would elevate her profile.

Publications Top Noted

• Carcass quality profiles and associated genomic regions of South African goat populations investigated using goat SNP50K genotypes – KT Ncube, EF Dzomba, K Hadebe, P Soma, L Frylinck, FC Muchadeyi (2022) Cited by: 12
• Goat farmers’ production objectives and trait preferences in the North West province of South Africa: An approach to identify selection criteria for a community-based breeding program – TF Mtshali, ON Mapholi, KT Ncube, EF Dzomba, TC Matelele, TC Chokoe, et al. (2021) Cited by: 9
• Relationship between population genomic structure and growth profiles of South African goats under different production systems – KT Ncube, K Hadebe, EF Dzomba, P Soma, L Frylinck, FC Muchadeyi (2020) Cited by: 8
• Targeted high‐throughput growth hormone 1 gene sequencing reveals high within‐breed genetic diversity in South African goats – KT Ncube, K Mdladla, EF Dzomba, FC Muchadeyi (2016) Cited by: 8
• Differential gene expression and identification of growth-related genes in the pituitary gland of South African goats – KT Ncube, EF Dzomba, BD Rosen, SG Schroeder, CP Van Tassell, et al. (2022) Cited by: 7
• Polymorphism of the major histocompatibility complex and genetic structure of Southern African village chicken populations – KT Ncube, PJ Jooste, P Soma, EF Dzomba, FC Muchadeyi (2014) Cited by: 7
• Genomics for the improvement of productivity and robustness of South African goat breeds – EF Dzomba, K Mdladla, KT Ncube, FC Muchadeyi (2017) Cited by: 5
• Gene Expression Profiling of South African Indigenous Goat Breeds Using RNA-Seq Technologies in Search of Genes Associated with Growth and Carcass Quality Traits – KT Ncube (2020) Cited by: 3
• Maternal lineages and diversity of the growth hormone gene of South African goat populations – KT Ncube (2016) Cited by: 2
• Genomic Advancements in Assessing Growth Performance, Meat Quality, and Carcass Characteristics of Goats in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review – KT Ncube, KA Nephawe, TJ Mpofu, NJ Monareng, MM Mofokeng, et al. (2025) Cited by: N/A
• Genomic Tools for Medicinal Properties of Goat Milk for Cosmetic and Health Benefits: A Narrative Review – KT Ncube, MC Modiba, TJ Mpofu, KA Nephawe, B Mtileni (2025) Cited by: N/A