Yajna, who was an academic tutor and was awarded the Dean’s Commendation in her final year, earned her first degree in anatomy from the University of KwaZulu-NatalCollege of Health Sciences in South Africa. She then achieved an Honours degree (cum laude) from UKZN, within the HIV Pathogenesis Programme unit specialising in HIV-1 envelope sequencing, latent HIV reservoirs, mutations and bioinformatics.

She earned a Masters in Pharmaceutics (cum Laude) from UKZN, within the Nano Drug Delivery Research Proto-Unit specialising in bacterial diseases, antibiotic resistance, and nanotechnology. She was awarded membership at the Golden Key International Honour Society for her outstanding achievements. Furthermore, she is certified in animal ethics and welfare and enjoys conducting in-vivo experiments.

She obtained a research fellowship at the Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa where she engaged in cutting edge transdisciplinary research in HIV/AIDS, TB, and COVID-19.

While conducting her research, she held positions as a freelance medical copywriter and editor. Yajna is presently employed in regulatory affairs, quality assurance and pharmacovigilance of human medicines within the pharmaceutical industry.

Yajna displays introspection, innovative ideas and a strong desire for investigating the truth behind science. She enjoys a healthy lifestyle and loves to write about it!