Meet the Team

ALLS is a collaborative project, involving teams at six Universities.

The Leadership Team

  • Prof. Dr. Amber Gayle Thalmayer

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

  • Selma Uugwanga

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

  • Dr. Daniel Hofmann

    ALLS data and analysis lead
    Postdoctoral researcher, University of Zurich
    LinkedIn & Orcid

  • Dr. Elizabeth Shino

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

  • Prof. Dr. Luzelle Naudé

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

  • Dr. Stephen Asatsa

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

  • Dr. Annelisa Murangi

    Lead Research Assistant for Namibia
    Senior Lecturer, University of Namibia
    LinkedIn & Google Scholar

  • John Makunda

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

  • Dr. Catherine Shirma

    Lead Research Assistant
    Postdoctoral Researcher, University of the Free State
    LinkedIn

  • Casey Botha

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

  • Prof. Dr. Sumaya Laher

    Head of Psychology, University of the Witwatersrand
    LinkedIn & Google Scholar

  • Dr. Tasneem Hassem

    Lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand
    LinkedIn & Google Scholar

  • Prof. Dr. Maria Florence

    Associate professor, University of the Western Cape
    LinkedIn & Google Scholar

  • Dr. Tracey-Ann Adonis

    Senior Lecturer, University of the Western Cape
    LinkedIn & Google Scholar

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
    Counselling Psychologist
    LinkedIn

  • Divine Bitalo

    University of the Free State
    LinkedIn

  • Zilo Goge

    University of the Free State

  • Jessica Green

    University of the Witwatersrand
    LinkedIn

  • Marie Kura

    Psychologische Hochschule Berlin

  • Dr. Julia Rotzinger

    PhD Awarded February 2025
    University of Zurich
    LinkedIn

Research Assistants and Master Students - South Africa

  • Salmah Chopdat

    Research coordinator for Guateng region
    University of the Witwatersrand
    LinkedIn

  • Shaheid Visagie

    University of the Western Cape

  • Boitumelo Sehlabaka

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

  • 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
    LinkedIn

  • Elam Maso

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

  • Zandile Viti

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

  • Lerato Sokhaya

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

  • Rachel Moffat

    Master Student
    South Africa
    University of the Free State
    LinkedIn

  • 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

  • Grace Mubiana

  • Monika Matakala

  • Marialda Garises

  • Paulus Mwetulundila

  • Jasmine Hangara

  • Hilma Awala

    LinkedIn

  • Regina Mwanyangapo

  • Julius Ndikwetepo

  • Taimi Amutse

    LinkedIn

  • Lorensia Kafuro

  • Ester Muhepa

  • Laina Shangano

Research Assistants - Kenya

  • Monica M. Nyaga

    BA Social Work & Development
    (MOI University)
    MA Gender & Development
    (University of Nairobi)
    RA EMBU
    LinkedIn

  • Dr. Esther Nyamache

    Counselling Psychology
    The catholic University of Eastern Africa
    RA KISII
    LinkedIn

  • Dr. Wairimu Muchai

    Clinical Psychologist
    Doctor of Psychology, Clinical Psychology
    Postdoc

  • Dr. Eucabeth Manyibe

    Counselling Psychology
    The catholic University of Eastern Africa
    RA KAJIADO
    LinkedIn

  • Dr. Lorna Ayako

    Psychologist,
    Special Education Needs Specialist,
    Kenyan Sign Language Interpreter
    RA WAJIR

  • Anna Madoka

    Masters of Arts
    Counselling Psychology
    The Catholic University of Eastern Africa
    RA MOMBASA
    Linkedin

  • Mercy Wachira Kabii

    RA NYERI

  • Mikal Odhiambo

    AMREF
    RA KISUMU
    LinkedIn

  • Godwin Emochi Isiya

    Holder of Bachelors Degree in Education
    RA BUSIA

  • Julia Muthoni

    Masters of Arts Counselling Psychology
    The catholic University of Eastern Africa
    RA NAKURU

  • Margaret Natocho

    RA MACHAKOS
    LinkedIn

  • Rose Ndanu

    Masters candidate
    RA MACHAKOS
    LinkedIn

  • Willy Kiptanui

    BA Education
    (MOI University)
    RA UASIN GISHU
    LinkedIn

  • Esther Wangui

    BA Counselling Psychology
    RA KIAMBU

  • Prof. Dr. Smmy Mutisya

    Lecturer at Masai Mara University
    RA NAROK
    Google Scholar