I have been involved in academics for the past 16 years’ with experience as a student, researcher and lecturer since 2001. I have completed a BSc Hons. in chemistry and I furthermore completed an MSc in medicinal chemistry based on the investigation of the biochemical basis of disease processes prevalent in prostate cancer and the development of novel internal standards for the anti-androgen, Bicalutamide, for use in pharmacokinetic studies. I received my PhD in 2013 at the UFS. The research was based on analytical methodology aimed at the structural elucidation of proathocyanidins by means of ESI mass spectrometry. I have since continued postdoctoral research as my interest lies in the development of alternative drug delivery systems for blood–borne viral pathogens such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). We are currently focused on investigating the solid state photoreactivity of antiretroviral drugs in order to evaluate the extent of photoreactivity which causes in vitro toxicity.