Profile Details

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Hire Dr. Deon N.

South Africa

USD 100 /hr

Accomplished scientist with a strong background in Microbiology and Biotechnology, from R&D to commercialisation.

Profile Summary

An accomplished scientist passionate about innovation, bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and commercialization. Proven expertise in antimicrobial compounds, probiotics, and biosensors, combining academic rigor (PhD in Microbiology) with entrepreneurial drive (CEO of Biotikum). I am committed to solving real-world challenges through collaboration and impactful research. Key Highlights: Developed and launched novel antimicrobial products at Biotikum, a South African biotech startup. Published 13+ peer-reviewed papers and presented research at international conferences. Secured grant funding and led diverse teams in both academic and commercial settings. Skilled in project management, analytical method development, and scientific communication. Associate Editor for Current Microbiology, ensuring up-to-date knowledge and industry relevance. Seeking projects in: Antimicrobial discovery and development Probiotic development and applications Biosensor development and implementation R&D project management and consulting Scientific writing and editing Let's collaborate to bring your innovative ideas to life!

Subject Matter Expertise

• ☆ Materials Science & Engineering
• ☆ Nanotechnology
• ☆ Microbiology
• ☆ Microbiome Research
• ☆ Industrial Microbiology
• ☆ Microbiological Assays
• ☆ Agricultural Microbiology
• ☆ Molecular Biology
• ☆ PCR
• ☆ Molecular Cloning
• ☆ DNA Sequencing
• ☆ Gene Expression Analysis
• ☆ Recombinant DNA
• ☆ Plasmid DNA
• ☆ Biotechnology & Bioengineering
• ☆ Nanobiotechnology
• ☆ Agricultural Technology
• ☆ Agribusiness
• ☆ Food Microbiology
• ☆ Biosensors
• ☆ Biological Taxonomy/Classification
• ☆ Phylogenetics
• ☆ Poultry Farming
• ☆ Drug Development
• ☆ Microbiology Testing
• ☆ Small Business
• ☆ Entrepreneurship

Services

• Writing
• Research
• Consulting
• Product Development

Writing Clinical Trial Documentation, Medical Writing, Non-Medical Regulatory Writing, Technical Writing, Business & Legal Writing, Creative Writing

Research Market Research, Fact Checking

Consulting Business Strategy Consulting, Go-to-Market Strategy Consulting, Digital Strategy Consulting, Scientific and Technical Consulting, Regulatory Consulting

Product Development Formulation, Recipe Development, Stability/Shelf Life Testing, Product Evaluation, Material Sourcing, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance & Control (QA/QC), Concept Development, Packaging Design, Prototyping

Work Experience

CEO Founder

Biotikum

July 2020 - Present

Member Board Of Directors

Biotikum

July 2020 - Present

PostDoc

Stellenbosch University

July 2018 - Present

Education

PhD Microbiology (Microbiology)

Stellenbosch University

January 2014 - July 2018

MSc Microbiology (Microbiology)

Stellenbosch University

January 2012 - December 2013

BSc Hons Microbiology (Microbiology)

Stellenbosch University

January 2011 - December 2011

BSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Stellenbosch University

January 2007 - December 2009

Certifications

• Certification details not provided.

Publications

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Neveling, Deon P., Ahire, Jayesh J., Laubscher, Wikus, Rautenbach, Marina, Dicks, Leon M. T. (2020). Genetic and Phenotypic Characteristics of a Multi-strain Probiotic for Broilers . Current Microbiology.

(2019). Effect of a Multi-Species Probiotic on the Colonisation of Salmonella in Broilers . Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins.

Neveling, D.P., van Emmenes, L., Ahire, J.J., Pieterse, E., Smith, C., Dicks, L.M.T.(2019). Effect of a Multi-Species Probiotic on the Colonisation of Salmonella in Broilers . Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins.

Maas, M.B., Maybery, G.H.C., Perold, W.J., Neveling, D.P., Dicks, L.M.T.(2018). Borosilicate Glass Fiber-Optic Biosensor for the Detection of Escherichia coli . Current Microbiology. 75. (2). p. 150-155.

Ahire, J.J., Neveling, D.P., Dicks, L.M.T.(2018). Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibres spun with copper nanoparticles: an anti-Escherichia coli membrane for water treatment . Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 102. (16). p. 7171-7181.

D. P. Neveling, L. van Emmenes, J. J. Ahire, E. Pieterse, C. Smith, L. M. T. Dicks (2017). Safety assessment of antibiotic and probiotic feed additives for Gallus gallus domesticus . Scientific Reports.

Neveling, D.P., Van Emmenes, L., Ahire, J.J., Pieterse, E., Smith, C., Dicks, L.M.T.(2017). Safety assessment of antibiotic and probiotic feed additives for Gallus gallus domesticus . Scientific Reports. 7. (1).

Ahire, J.J., Hattingh, M., Neveling, D.P., Dicks, L.M.T.(2016). Copper-containing anti-biofilm nanofiber scaffolds as a wound dressing material . PLoS ONE. 11. (3).

Ahire, J.J., Robertson, D., Neveling, D.P., Van Reenen, A.J., Dicks, L.M.T.(2016). Hyaluronic acid-coated poly(d,l-lactide) (PDLLA) nanofibers prepared by electrospinning and coating . RSC Advances. 6. (41). p. 34791-34796.

Ahire, J.J., Neveling, D.P., Hattingh, M., Dicks, L.M.T.(2015). Ciprofloxacin-Eluting nanofibers inhibits biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . PLoS ONE. 10. (4).

Ahire, J.J., Neveling, D.P., Dicks, L.M.T.(2015). Co-spinning of Silver Nanoparticles with Nisin Increases the Antimicrobial Spectrum of PDLLA: PEO Nanofibers . Current Microbiology. 71. (1). p. 24-30.

Neveling, D.P., Van Den Heever, T.S., Perold, W.J., Dicks, L.M.T.(2014). A nanoforce ZnO nanowire-array biosensor for the detection and quantification of immunoglobulins . Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical. 203. p. 102-110.

Neveling, D.P., Van Den Heever, T.S., Bucher, R., Perold, W.J., Dicks, L.M.T.(2014). Effect of seed layer deposition, au film layer thickness and crystal orientation on the synthesis of hydrothermally grown ZnO nanowires . Current Nanoscience. 10. (6). p. 827-836.

Neveling, D.P., Endo, A., Dicks, L.M.T.(2012). Fructophilic Lactobacillus kunkeei and Lactobacillus brevis isolated from fresh flowers, bees and bee-hives . Current Microbiology. 65. (5). p. 507-515.