Open to opportunities

Tarien van der Merwe

@tarienvandermerwe

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Honours Human Biosciences graduate specializing in nutrition, research, and science writing.

South Africa

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What I'm looking for

I am seeking roles that combine research and science communication in nutrition or health, where I can apply lab skills, data analysis, and writing to impact products or public understanding.

I am an Honours Human Biosciences graduate with a strong interest in nutrition, writing, and research. I combine laboratory research skills with freelance and professional writing experience to translate scientific topics for diverse audiences.

I have worked as a research assistant on academic and industry projects, gaining hands-on experience in sampling, data handling, statistical analysis (SAS, Excel), and scientific writing. I supported a project investigating gene interactions related to eating habits and contributed to early cancer biomarker competitive research in a start-up environment.

Professionally I have created nutrition and health content for a health company, producing SEO-aware blog posts and product-focused copy while maintaining scientific integrity. I have also taught English online, developing remote classroom management, time management, and student engagement strategies for young learners.

My technical qualifications and interests span physiology, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, neuroscience, and nutrition. I bring adaptability from hospitality and volunteer roles, practical lab experience, and a collaborative, detail-oriented work ethic suited to research, content, and analytical roles.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Online English Teacher

Current

Helen Doron Connect

Jan 2025 - Present (8 months)

Deliver gamified online English lessons for children aged 5–7 in Israeli schools, using songs and interactive activities to improve engagement and provide age-appropriate feedback; completed TEFL certification and improved remote classroom management.

Online Teaching Lesson planning Classroom Management Time Management Communication

Nutrition & Health Blogger

Trienics Ltd.

Jan 2023 - Dec 2023 (11 months)

Researched and wrote blog posts to educate clients on nutrition and lifestyle, producing SEO-optimised content that promoted company supplements and increased product awareness.

Scientific Writing Nutrition Research SEO Content Creation Product Promotion Communication Audience Adaptation

Scientific Research Assistant

MetaGuideX

Jan 2022 - Dec 2022 (11 months)

Researched competitors and diagnostic biomarkers for an early cancer diagnostics start-up, synthesising large result sets to inform business and technical strategy and improving critical data curation skills.

literature review Competitive Analysis Data Curation Critical Thinking Research Communication Organisation

Research Assistant

Oxford Brookes University

Jan 2021 - Dec 2022 (1 year 11 months)

Worked on a gene-interaction study investigating physiological and ethnic influences on eating habits; handled large datasets, performed statistical analysis in SAS and Excel, and contributed to scientific writing.

Data Analysis SAS Excel Scientific Writing Genetics Molecular Biology Teamwork Research Methodology

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Chad Lion-Cachet

TEFL Certificate, Teaching English as a Foreign Language

2024 - 2025

Activities and societies: Delivered gamified lessons, provided age-appropriate feedback, developed virtual classroom engagement strategies.

Completed a TEFL certification and worked as an online English teacher focusing on young learners.

Nutrigentics

Diploma, Nutrigenomics

2023 - 2023

Activities and societies: Compiled literature and data for author-led book project; research and note preparation.

Completed a diploma focused on nutrigenomics and contributed research material for writing projects on nutrition and genetics.

Oxford Brookes University

Bachelor of Science (Honours), Human Biosciences

2019 - 2022

Activities and societies: Research assistant on a gene interaction project; statistical analysis using SAS and Excel; scientific writing experience.

Completed a Bachelor of Science Honours in Human Biosciences with laboratory research experience in physiology, molecular biology, genetics and neuroscience.