Larysha Rothmann

Co-supervisor: Dr. Jędrzej Jakub Szymański

Larysha studied genetics and biochemistry at Wits University, completing her BSc Honours (2020) and MSc (2022), which focused on transcriptional regulation in breast cancer. During her postgraduate studies she transitioned to in silico research methods, developing skills in programming and bioinformatics. She gained further experience working as a bioinformatician at CenGen, assembling draft genomes for indigenous plants and analysing crop trait variants. This introduction to plant genomics prompted her to pursue a PhD, and in 2025 she joined the Fruit Functional Genomics Lab. Here, she applies deep learning and multi-omics approaches to study cis-regulatory elements controlling gene expression in grapevine under drought stress. When not at her keyboard, Larysha enjoys volunteering at the local cheetah conservancy, baking sourdough and climbing rocks.