Johanné Marais and Khethani Mathikhi

WENA: the podcast

Science EN ↓ 7 episodes

The acronym WENA is a colloquial word used in South African languages like isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho & Setswana. Its translated meaning is "you", which informs the heart of our podcast: You, the Listener. The podcast intends to teach, to talk, to listen and to learn with you, wena ! We engage on the " W ho, W hy, W here, W hat and W hen" of E veryone in N eurosciences across A frica, letting you know about how our guests are making a name across both hemispheres - of the brain, and the world.

Author

Johanné Marais and Khethani Mathikhi

Episodes

Getting to know Zuha Ajlan: mentorship, impact, and overlapping interests 27.09.2024 45:35

Woza, WENA! Khethani and Jo are back at it with a second season of WENA, The Podcast that engages on the W's of Everyone in Neurosciences across Africa. On this episode, we have a discussion with fellow Wits School of Physiology graduate Zuha Ajlan about her path to neuroscience! We also chat about a foundation that she started called " Shadow a Scientist ", and also the research interest of neuro...

Getting to know WITS Neuroscience Research Lab: creating what is needed and centering humanity in neuroscience 12.07.2024 39:44

We had an opportunity to chat with one of the remarkable WITS Neuroscience Research Lab directors, Dr. Sahba Besharati. A rich discussion bloomed that speaks to the challenges and victories of neuroscience research in a South African context. Specifically, Sahba talks us through the works and teams at WITS NeuRL, impressing upon collaboration between and value of "Global South" voices in partnersh...

Getting to know Dr. Thando Shabangu Part Two: rodent neurobiology of sexual aggression, philosophy, and big questions 14.06.2024 41:49

In the second half of our first chat with Dr. Thando Shabangu, we discuss his research in greater detail. We also speak about life outside of the research lab and what success looks like for WENA. Dr. Shabangu's website and YouTube are: https://www.thandowshabangu.com/home https://www.youtube.com/@BloggerMusings

Getting to know Dr. Thando W. Shabangu: learning across countries and cultures 31.05.2024 35:48

It's episode 4! We could not get enough of our conversation with Dr. Thando Shabangu, who works as a post-doctoral research fellow with Dr. Lihle Qulu at Stellenbosch University. On part one of a three-part series, we discuss the appreciation of teachers, the challenges and joys of studying abroad, and how late introductions to the lab space invited Thando to the world of molecular biology researc...

Getting to know Lizeka Tandwa: bioethics, moral responsibility, and reframing scientific contexts 03.05.2024 42:02

Ndaa! Dumelang, Sawbona, Akkaam, Hello, Jambo Africa. On this episode, we are excited to engage on a sequence of enriching topics with our local bioethics enthusiast, Lizeka Tandwa. Lizeka's biography is updated on our website - be sure to check it out! https://wenathepodcast.wixsite.com/wena-the-podcast If you like what you hear, please share this episode with your best friend, your Aunty, your M...

Getting to know our WENA hosts Khethani and Jo // Sleep science, studentship, curiosity and clinical research 03.04.2024 35:53

Ndaa! Dumelang, Sawbona, Akkaam, Hello, Jambo Africa. In this episode, Khethani interviews Jo on their journey of studentship and moving through failure. The team discusses staying committed to curiosity as life doesn't always follow the path you set for yourself. Jo speaks about their research in obstructive sleep apnoea and public health. If you want to find Jo's YouTube channel to understand th...

Getting to know our WENA hosts Jo and Khethani//Upbringing, Science Journey, Nyaope and Opioid SUD 13.03.2024 38:36

Ndaa! Dumelang, Sawbona, Akkaam, Hello, Jambo Africa. In this episode of WENA, we delve into a captivating conversation with Khethani, as he shares with our podcast host Jo about his upbringing and the fascinating journey that led him into the realms of neuroscience and neurophysiology. Additionally, Khethani passionately discusses his research endeavors concerning the cocktail-heroin based drug k...