Teaching & Training 

Dr Walmsley teaches Applied Biotechnology Modules I and II at the Postgraduate Diploma level, and is the co-ordinator of the PGDip Biotechnology Research Projects.

Academic Administration

Dr Walmsley is a member of the Biotechnology Program Teaching and Learning Quality Committee (PTLQC) and the Faculty Research Ethics Committee (FREC).

Postgraduate Supervision & Mentorship 

Dr Walmsley is the Research Leader of the Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology Research Group — comprising PGDip, Masters, and Doctoral candidates. Her current research includes: 

• Indigenous and medicinal plant barcoding (with a focus on the Highveld and Vredefort Dome region) – to support the South African Biodiversity initiative through curation on the Barcode of Life Database System and establish protocols for the accurate identification and monitoring of medically relevant plants. 
• Isolation, characterization and biocontrol of C. sativa fungal pathogens – to support the growing C. sativa market in South Africa (with future projects focused on other medically relevant plants and their potential pathogens). 
• Development of inoculant-based agricultural products to support plant health and growth – in support of the shift towards sustainable agricultural practices. 
• Enzymatic production of biodiesel – in support of the green energy movement and waste valorization. 
• Fermentation optimized plant extracts for application in plant and human health. 
• Advanced water treatment with a focus on the role of applied microorganisms as a solution to the increasing threat of water scarcity, industrial/urban pollution and emerging contaminants. 

Outreach & Impact

Beyond academia, Dr Walmsley actively contributes to the Parys Wetland Park, a community-led urban wetland restoration initiative, leading environmental education and monitoring activities that foster scientific literacy at the community level. This engagement has provided a grounded perspective on the compounding environmental challenges of small urban centres, including cumulative pollution and limited remediation resources, and the impact of these challenges on local communities and the wider environment.

Innovation & Applied Projects 

Dr Walmsley is focused on the application of microorganisms in solving the agricultural, environmental and health challenges faced by South Africa as a country. Her research projects are designed to generate products and/or processes that are translatable to both industrial and community settings. Her focus is on observational science that leads to the identification of issues faced locally and works towards the development of products and/or processes that are scientifically rigorous yet simple, affordable, scalable and effective in resource-constrained settings. She is actively involved with the Technology Transfer Office for IP, Patent and Industrial Scale-Up strategies.