Dr Ellen Ngarande is a biomedical researcher with interdisciplinary expertise spanning biomaterials, regenerative medicine, and cardiovascular science. With a foundation in molecular biology and advanced training in nanomedicine and gene therapy, her work bridges laboratory innovation and clinical application. She completed her PhD at the University of Cape Town, where she developed a lipid-based RNA interference hydrogel system for localized and sustained therapeutic delivery—an approach with translational potential in various disease models. At Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital’s cardiology division, Dr Ngarande coordinates and manages multiple high-impact research projects, including the STEMI SA registry, Cardiac MRI Mapping Calibration, and Cardiology service audit studies. Her role integrates project leadership, clinical research coordination, project design and implementation, data management, student and research administration support.