Nkosingivile Sibandze
Detroit,MI
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Student Researcher | SMYD5
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Detroit, MI
01.2025 - 05.2026
- Investigated the SMYD5 proximal protein network in a project using TurboID proximity labeling and quantitative proteomics.
- Designed cloning strategies for SMYD5-TurboID constructs; optimized restriction digestion and ligation conditions.
- Performed bacterial transformation, plasmid preparation, and sequence verification to generate and validate expression constructs.
- Performed Western blotting to evaluate construct expression and biotin labeling.
- Processed label-free quantitative mass spectrometry data in MaxQuant and performed downstream analysis in Perseus, applying PCA, ANOVA, and differential protein analysis to assess replicate quality and identify SMYD5-proximal proteins.
- Interpreted proteomic data to characterize networks associated with SMYD5, including cell-cycle regulation and RNA processing.
- Mentored visiting high-school research students in laboratory safety, basic molecular biology techniques, and experimental planning.
Undergraduate Student Researcher
University of Eswatini
Manzini
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Compared venom proteins from four highly venomous snake species native to Eswatini using RP-HPLC to separate and profile protein components.
- Analyzed chromatographic profiles to assess interspecies variation in venom protein composition; presented findings at a departmental research symposium.
Student Assistant
Wayne State University
10.2025 - 05.2026
- Supported departmental operations through laboratory decommissioning, inventory management, and examination proctoring.
Undergraduate Tutor
University of Eswatini
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Tutored students in Organic Chemistry, Genetics, and Genomics; developed study guides and facilitated interactive sessions to strengthen conceptual understanding.
Intern
Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation
06.2022 - 08.2022
- Performed chemical and environmental testing of industrial effluents, prepared analytical reports, and participated in safety and data-management workshops.
Education
Ph.D. - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI09-2026
Master of Science - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI05-2026
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences and Chemistry
University of Eswatini
08-2022
Skills
- Molecular Biology: PCR, restriction digestion, ligation, plasmid purification, bacterial transformation, molecular cloning, sequence verification
- Protein and Analytical: Western blotting, RP-HPLC, UV/Vis spectrophotometry, IR spectroscopy
- Proteomics and Data Analysis: MaxQuant, Perseus, label-free quantitative proteomics analysis, PCA, ANOVA, differential protein analysis, Microsoft Excel
- Structural and Molecular Modeling: AlphaFold-Multimer, AlphaFold 3, Proteinix, PyMOL
- Molecular Biology Software: SnapGene, CodonCode Aligner
- General Research: Experimental troubleshooting, data interpretation, scientific writing and presentation
Honors and Awards
Fulbright Scholar | U.S. Department of State 2024–2026
Government of Eswatini Merit-Based Scholarship 2018–2022
Publications and Scholarly Works
- Sibandze, N., Mugunamalwaththa, T., Montgomery, L., & Yang, Z. N-Lysine Methyltransferase SMYD. In Encyclopedia of Human Genes and Signals, S. Choi (Ed.). Springer. Submitted.
- Sibandze, N. Defining the SMYD5 Interactome in HEK293 Cells. Poster, 29th Annual Graduate Student Research Presentation Day (GSRPD 2026), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 2026.
- Mugunamalwaththa, T., Suman, S., Sibandze, N., & Yang, Z. Decoding Gene–Gene Networks in Breast Cancer Using a Transformer-Based Deep Learning Framework. American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Annual Meeting, 2026. Presented by T. Mugunamalwaththa.
- Mugunamalwaththa, T., Suman, S., Sibandze, N., & Yang, Z. Decoding Gene–Gene Networks in Breast Cancer with Transformer-Based Deep Learning. Graduate Research Symposium, Wayne State University, 2026. Presented by T. Mugunamalwaththa.
- Sibandze, N. A Comparative Analysis of Snake Venom Proteins from Four Species of Highly Venomous Snakes in Eswatini. Oral presentation, Department of Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Eswatini, 2022.
Leadership and Community Engagement
- Social Committee, Wayne State University | 2025. Assisted with departmental student events.
- Peer Counselor, University of Eswatini | 2020–2022. Supported first-year and international students in their transition to university life.
Timeline
Student Assistant
Wayne State University
10.2025 - 05.2026
Graduate Student Researcher | SMYD5
Wayne State University School of Medicine
01.2025 - 05.2026
Intern
Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation
06.2022 - 08.2022
Undergraduate Student Researcher
University of Eswatini
01.2022 - 12.2022
Undergraduate Tutor
University of Eswatini
01.2022 - 12.2022
Ph.D. - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Wayne State University
Master of Science - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Wayne State University
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences and Chemistry
University of Eswatini