Dr. Naeem Sheik Abdul is a Y2-rated researcher and Lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry. His research focuses on mitochondrial toxicology and pharmacology, particularly the impact of foodborne and environmental toxins on cellular bioenergetics, inflammation, and oxidative stress. He has made significant contributions to understanding how toxins disrupt mitochondrial function, metabolic pathways, and immune regulation. Building on this expertise, his work now explores the therapeutic potential of South African medicinal plants in mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction and supporting immunometabolic health.

Dr. Sheik Abdul actively collaborates with international partners, including a research group in Hungary, on the effects of mycotoxins and the use of South African medicinal plants as interventions against toxicity. His interdisciplinary approach integrates toxicology, ethnopharmacology, and molecular medicine to advance solutions for non-communicable diseases, food security, and climate-linked health risks.