Meet the Team

ALLS is a collaborative project, involving teams at five African Universities.

The Leadership Team

  • Prof. Dr. Amber Gayle Thalmayer

    ALLS Principal Investigator
    Assistant Professor, University of Zurich
    Research Fellow, Univ. of the Free State

  • Selma Uugwanga

    ALLS logistics and collaboration lead
    PhD candidate, University of Zurich
    Licensed clinical psychologist, Namibia

  • Dr. Daniel Hofmann

    ALLS data and analysis lead
    Postdoctoral researcher, University of Zurich

  • Dr. Elizabeth Shino

    ALLS co-investigator for Namibia
    Senior lecturer, University of Namibia
    Licensed clinical psychologist, Namibia

  • Prof. Dr. Luzelle Naudé

    ALLS co-investigator for South Africa
    National Research Foundation PI
    University of the Free State
    Licensed Counselling Psychologist, South Africa

  • Dr. Stephen Asatsa

    ALLS co-investigator for Kenya
    Head of Department, Psychology, Catholic Univ. of Eastern Africa
    Licensed Counselling Psychologist, Kenya

  • Dr. Annelisa Murangi

    Lead Research Assistant for Namibia
    Senior Lecturer, University of Namibia

  • John Makunda

    Lead Research Assistant for Kenya
    PhD candidate, Kenyatta University & University of Zurich

  • Dr. Catherine Shirma

    Lead Research Assistant
    Postdoctoral Researcher, University of the Free State

  • Casey Botha

    ALLS Lead Research Assistant
    PhD candidate, University of the Western Cape

  • Prof. Dr. Sumaya Laher

    Head of Psychology, University of the Witwatersrand

  • Dr. Tasneem Hassem

    Lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand

  • Prof. Dr. Maria Florence

    Associate professor, University of the Western Cape

  • Dr. Tracey-Ann Adonis

    Senior Lecturer, University of the Western Cape

Other Phd Students

  • Athumani Mgaya

    University of the Free State
    Grant Holder: Higher Education for Economic Transformation Scholarship Fund, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania

  • Diego Rex

    University of the Free State

  • Divine Bitalo

    University of the Free State

  • Zilo Goge

    University of the Free State

  • Jessica Green

    University of the Witwatersrand

  • Marie Kura

    Psychologische Hochschule Berlin

  • Dr. Julia Rotzinger

    PhD Awarded February 2025
    University of Zurich

Research Assistants and Master Students - South Africa

  • Salmah Chopdat

    Research coordinator for Guateng region
    University of the Witwatersrand

  • Shaheid Visagie

    University of the Western Cape

  • Boitumelo Sehlabaka

    Research Assistant & Master Student
    South Africa
    University of the Free State

  • Kutloano Malumo

    Research Assistant & Master Student
    South Africa
    University of the Free State

  • Lisa Shabalala

    Research Assistant & Master Student
    South Africa
    University of the Free State

  • Elam Maso

    Research Assistant & Master Student
    South Africa
    University of the Free State

  • Zandile Viti

    Research Assistant & Master Student
    South Africa
    University of the Free State

  • Lerato Sokhaya

    Research Assistant & Master Student
    South Africa
    University of the Free State

  • Rachel Moffat

    Master Student
    South Africa
    University of the Free State

  • Letlhogonolo Shibambo

    Master Student
    South Africa
    University of the Free State

  • Nelly Mamabolo

    University of the Western Cape

  • Siphewe Koboka

    University of the Western Cape

  • Valentina

    University of the Western Cape

Research Assistants - Namibia

  • William Tjipundi


  • Elveraldo Awases

  • Ester Muhepa

  • Grace Mubiana

  • Monika Matakala

  • Marialda Garises

  • Paulus Mwetulundila

  • Jasmine Hangara

  • Hilma Awala

  • Regina Mwanyangapo

  • Julius Ndikwetepo

  • Taimi Amutse

  • Laina Shangano

  • Lorensia Kafuro

Research Assistants - Kenya