Dr Nolwazi Gcwensa

Dr. Nolwazi Zakithi Gcwensa is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for the Future of Work at
the University of Pretoria. Her research investigates the impact of generative artificial
intelligence (GenAI) on brain activation and cognitive processes, with a focus on how these
changes influence workplace readiness in the South African context. She holds a PhD in
Biomedical Sciences, specialising in Neuroscience, from the University of Alabama at
Birmingham. Her doctoral work examined the effects of α‐synuclein aggregation on synapse
morphology and microglial activation in the basolateral amygdala, contributing to a deeper
understanding of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease.
Dr. Gcwensa’s broader research interests include neurotechnology, cognitive adaptation,
and the intersection of neuroscience and digital innovation. At the Centre, her current
project explores the cognitive implications of AI-assisted testing and learning, with the aim
of informing equitable and future-focused education and employment strategies. Her work
has been published in Frontiers, Neurobiology of Disease, and Frontiers in Cellular
Neuroscience. By integrating neuroscience with policy and technology, she seeks to
contribute to research that supports inclusive and adaptive systems for the future of work
in Africa.