Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Software
Timeline
Generic

Sostina Matina

Summary

As a dedicated early-career researcher with over five years of experience in health and migration research, I bring a meticulous and analytical approach to every project. My expertise spans both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, enabling me to provide comprehensive insights into complex issues. I thrive in collaborative environments, leveraging my adaptability to contribute effectively as a team player. With a keen eye for detail, I excel in managing data collection processes and ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive documents. My problem-solving skills allow me to navigate challenges adeptly, ensuring smooth project progression. Driven by a passion for knowledge sharing, I am committed to fostering learning opportunities and disseminating insights within my academic and professional communities. Currently, I am enhancing my academic career through the Wits Early Career Academic Development (ECAD) Programme. This initiative offers specialised workshops, academic mentoring, writing retreats, and opportunities for multidisciplinary collaborations, all of which are helping me refine my teaching, research, and postgraduate supervision skills. By continually seeking to enhance my skills and stay abreast of evolving research methodologies, I aim to deliver excellence in all my endeavors.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience
6
6
Certifications

Work History

Climate Change Writing Fellow

Wits University
01.2023 - 02.2024
  • Guided students through various steps in brainstorming, researching, outlining, writing, revising and publishing
  • Evaluated and graded assignments or papers and recorded grades
  • Informed students of procedures for completing and submitting class work
  • Led discussion sections, tutorials sections
  • Met with supervisors to discuss grades or complete grade-related paperwork
  • Returned assignments to students to comply with established deadlines.
  • Established rapport with students by demonstrating empathy towards their writing difficulties and celebrating their successes.
  • Addressed common writing challenges such as grammar, punctuation, style, and structure during consultations with students.

Junior Researcher

Global Diet and Physical Activity Research Group (GDAR)
01.2019 - 12.2023
  • Contributing to writing Systematic Reviews (Academic)
  • Participated in extra training and courses to refine and improve upon industry knowledge
  • Working with other early career researchers
  • Report Writing.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive research strategies and methodologies.
  • Contributed to the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles, demonstrating expertise in subject matter.
  • Conducted extensive literature reviews, summarizing key findings to inform future studies.

Educator

The South African College Of Applied Psychology
02.2022 - 03.2023
  • Designed curriculum-aligned assessments to measure student progress and inform instructional decisions.
  • Implemented classroom management techniques that fostered a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.
  • Led professional development sessions for fellow teachers on topics such as technology integration or assessment design, contributing to a culture of ongoing improvement within the school community.
  • Improved student comprehension by incorporating visual aids and real-life examples into lesson plans.
  • Provided constructive feedback on assignments, empowering students to take ownership of their learning and academic growth.
  • Assessed student performance and provided feedback to facilitate student success.
  • Supervised Honors students on their theses

Consultant

The Institute for Telling Development (ITD)
10.2022 - 11.2022
  • Qualitative Data analysis using QDA-Miner
  • Assisted with development of dashboards and reports using spreadsheet and visualization software
  • Coordinated with team members and organizational partners to identify and resolve data issues
  • Responsible for coming up with codes and themes
  • Enhanced communication among team members, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
  • Enhanced research quality by implementing rigorous data analysis techniques and innovative methodologies.

Assisting Lecturer

Nelson Mandela University
04.2022 - 08.2022
  • Teaching urban anthropology and research proposal writing
  • Created instructional and lecture plans for classes in compliance with course objectives
  • Utilized diverse teaching methods, lectures, presentations and class activities to deliver curriculum
  • Delivered course lectures using modern technology to enhance student comprehension
  • Evaluated student progress, delivering feedback for individual improvement
  • Selected innovative teaching methods to deliver course content
  • Developed lectures to accommodate for different learning styles, maximizing students' comprehension
  • Tailored lectures to meet student needs, emphasizing skills and concepts necessary for professional and academic success
  • Identified areas of difficulty for students, developing additional resources for review
  • Used exams, quizzes and projects to assess how well students grasped learning material and concepts.
  • Cultivated critical thinking skills through challenging assignments that required analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information from various sources.
  • Promoted collaboration among students through group projects and presentations, fostering teamwork and communication skills.

Project Manager

Centre for Health Policy, Wits University
08.2021 - 02.2022
  • Supervising 5 fieldworkers
  • Reporting to the Principal Investigators
  • Systems Management
  • Writing field report
  • Project Planning
  • Created project plans with established timelines, assigned to appropriate teams and managed workflow throughout fieldwork
  • Developed solutions to project risks and issues, meeting quality and timeline goals and objectives
  • Reviewed project risks and devised proactive strategies to avoid potential roadblocks.
  • Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results.
  • Fostered a culture of innovation and creativity within the project team, leading to improved problem-solving capabilities and enhanced outcomes.

Consultant

Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust(YETT)
09.2020 - 01.2021
  • Youth Leadership Implementation Study
  • Supported other researchers in study- and project-related activities
  • Adapted general research methodologies to meet project-specific requirements
  • Communicated findings to clients using multimedia, narrative writing and presentation skills to tell informative and compelling stories
  • Supported field research projects of large scope and complexity under guidance of leadership.

Researcher and Fieldwork Supervisor

Khulisa Management Services
01.2018 - 11.2020
  • Worked on different projects
  • Supported field research projects of large scope and complexity under guidance of leadership
  • Adapted general research methodologies to meet project-specific requirements
  • Collaborated with the leadership team to identify relevant questions and determine the best collection methods
  • Streamlined research processes to meet tight deadlines
  • Managed compliance with established regulations, protocols, and goals
  • Supervised data collection, data quality, analysis, evaluation, and dissemination for research projects
  • Collected open- and closed-source data.
  • Managed multiple research projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion within budget constraints.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to conduct comprehensive studies and generate valuable insights.

Academic Coordinator

Astria Learning
04.2020 - 06.2020
  • Check Subject Availability and inventory
  • Management and assurance of quality
  • Check Professor Availability, Selection, Follow up
  • Perform Course Quality Assurance
  • Course and Program Development
  • Thesis and dissertation coordination
  • Curriculum review and development
  • Evaluating professors
  • Assisting in training efforts and collaboration across all the departments
  • Conduct Quality Assurance Measures
  • Liaised with campus leaders to highlight program courses, achievements, and events, helping to strengthen recruitment efforts
  • Developed or used assessment instruments to monitor student learning results.
  • Streamlined academic processes by implementing efficient organizational strategies and communication systems.

Research Assistant

Developmental Pathways to Health Research Unit (DPHRU), Wits University
01.2018 - 06.2019
  • Soweto Baby Wash Study
  • Recruitment of participants in the Maternity ward
  • Anthropometry on infants and mothers
  • Food Sampling Study
  • Traveled to field sites to collect and record data and samples as appropriate to specific objectives of study
  • Conducted surveys, interviews, and experimental research
  • Microbiome Study
  • Recruiting Mothers in Soweto
  • Collecting Saliva samples for DNA tests
  • Collecting Breast milk samples
  • Collecting faecal samples of infants
  • Traveled to field sites to collect and record data and samples as appropriate to specific objectives of the study
  • Organized, labeled, and stored study biospecimens.

Overall

  • Participated actively in regular meetings with fellow researchers to discuss project updates, challenges faced, and lessons learned during ongoing activities.
  • Implemented ethical guidelines throughout all stages of the research process, fostering responsible conduct in scientific pursuits.
  • Organized research materials, maintaining a well-ordered workspace conducive to productivity.
  • Optimized experimental procedures through rigorous testing and troubleshooting efforts, reducing errors in result interpretation.

Tutor

Wits University
01.2019 - 05.2019
  • Teaching Critical Thinking
  • Teaching, Marking, and Invigilating
  • Assisted students in finding useful study methods to enhance academic performance
  • Helped students review and understand previous lessons to make connections with new lesson
  • Designed a comfortable tutoring environment conducive to learning
  • Met with students to clarify and review concepts taught in class and solve specific problems
  • Helped students review and understand previous lessons to make connection with new lesson.

Education

Ph.D. - Pediatrics (Pending)

Wits University
04.2001 -

Master of Science - Global Public Health

Queen Mary University of London
04.2001 -

Master of Arts - Migration And Displacement

Wits University
04.2001 -

Skills

Project Management

Course Development

Lecturing

Academic Publication

Thesis Supervision

Certification

Public Health Research Ethics 2019

Software

R

STATA

Timeline

Climate Change Writing Fellow

Wits University
01.2023 - 02.2024

Consultant

The Institute for Telling Development (ITD)
10.2022 - 11.2022

Assisting Lecturer

Nelson Mandela University
04.2022 - 08.2022

Educator

The South African College Of Applied Psychology
02.2022 - 03.2023

Project Manager

Centre for Health Policy, Wits University
08.2021 - 02.2022

Consultant

Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust(YETT)
09.2020 - 01.2021

Academic Coordinator

Astria Learning
04.2020 - 06.2020

Junior Researcher

Global Diet and Physical Activity Research Group (GDAR)
01.2019 - 12.2023

Tutor

Wits University
01.2019 - 05.2019

Researcher and Fieldwork Supervisor

Khulisa Management Services
01.2018 - 11.2020

Research Assistant

Developmental Pathways to Health Research Unit (DPHRU), Wits University
01.2018 - 06.2019

Ph.D. - Pediatrics (Pending)

Wits University
04.2001 -

Master of Science - Global Public Health

Queen Mary University of London
04.2001 -

Master of Arts - Migration And Displacement

Wits University
04.2001 -
Sostina Matina