Clinical Mycobacteriology and Epidemiology (CLIME) Group
Members
Grant Theron
Principal investigator
Email: gtheron@sun.ac.za
Grant is interested in improving how patients with TB or drug-resistant TB are diagnosed, enhancing our understanding of TB transmission, and investigating whether the microbiome has any role in TB pathogenesis. Grant trained at the University of Cape Town and University College London. When he isn't thinking about TB, he is probably on Table Mountain.
ResearchGate profile
Google Scholar profile
NCBI MyBibiliography
Post-doctoral fellows and research students:
Hridesh Mishra
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Email:
hrideshkmishra@gmail.com
Hridesh is investigating the infectiousness of TB patients and the aerobiology of M. tuberculosis. Hridesh is a disciplined Ashtanga yoga practitioner, he loves watching stand-up comedy shows, movies and series.
ResearchGate profile
Google Scholar profile
Charissa Naidoo
Lecturer
Email: ccnaidoo@sun.ac.za
Charissa is investigating the microbiome in pulmonary tuberculosis patients on treatment, its association with clinical outcomes, and mechanisms underpinning these associations. Charissa enjoys oil painting and hiking.
ResearchGate profile
Google Scholar profile
Daphne Naidoo
Project Coordinator
Email:
daphnenaidoo@sun.ac.za
Daphne is responsible for managing clinical research studies by ensuring effective and efficient operations. Daphne enjoys cooking, baking, outdoor activities, and spending time with her friends and family.
Rouxjeane Venter
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Email: rouxjeane@sun.ac.za
Rouxjeane’s research focuses on understanding the infectiousness of TB patients and exploring novel diagnostic approaches for drug-resistant TB. Outside of academia she enjoys bouldering, reading, live bands, and trying new restaurants.
ResearchGate profile
Google Scholar Profile
Suventha Moodley
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Email:
suventha@sun.ac.za
Suventha’s research focuses on understanding the role of microbiome, microbiome-associated metabolites, and antimicrobial resistance in ESKAPE bacteria during various stages of the TB disease spectrum. Suventha enjoys digitally capturing the beautiful landscapes of Cape Town.
ResearchGate profile
Google Scholar Profile
Anna Okunola
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Email:
annaojo@sun.ac.za
Anna's research focuses on the evaluation of several new TB diagnostics, and their performance in field conditions. She is co-ordinating the EDCTP funded pan-African clinical trial,
SeroSelectTB, at Stellenbosch University. Anna was awarded a 3-year EDCTP Training and Mobility Action (TMA2020CDF-3209 – RADIANT) grant for her project entitled “Selected concise host transcriptional signatures for the blood-based diagnosis of active tuberculosis in an HIV-prevalent setting (RNA-based diagnosis of TB; RADIANT)".
RADIANT aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of selected concise host transcriptional signatures for the non-sputum-based diagnosis of active TB in symptomatic patients in Africa. Synergy with SeroSelectTB will provide Anna with access to specimens, data, infrastructure and expertise for her investigations.
ResearchGate profile
Google Scholar Profile
Shima Abdulgader
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Email:
sabdulgader@sun.ac.za
Shima is working on the validation of novel and existing point of care diagnostics assays for the prediction of incipient TB. When Shima is not working, she enjoys cooking and spending quality time with her family.
ResearchGate profile
Google Scholar Profile
Georgina Nyawo
PhD student
Email: georginan@sun.ac.za
Georgina is studying the microbiome in the context of extra-pulmonary TB, as well as several other areas. Georgina loves to sing... at church, karaoke, in the lab, everywhere…
ResearchGate profile
Zama Mahlobo
PhD student
Email: pzamah@sun.ac.za
Zama is working on investigating the infectiousness of TB patients and the factors associated with the airborne survival of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Zama likes playing pool and her favorite TV shows are "Family guy" and "American dad".
Brigitta Derendinger
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Email: brigitta@sun.ac.za
Brigitta is working on advancing how drug-resistant TB is ultimately diagnosed by optimising and evaluating new tests and developing phenotypic methods for new TB drugs. Brigitta enjoys building complex Lego and needlework in her spare time.
ResearchGate profile
Google Scholar Profile
Samantha Pillay
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Email: samanthap@sun.ac.za
Samantha’s research focuses on new and improved TB diagnostics tests used to treat drug-resistant TB. Her research has also impacted policy-making decisions globally. Samantha loves rock painting, travelling and trying out new recipes.
ResearchGate profile
Happy Tshivhula
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Email: tshivhula@sun.ac.za
Happy’s research focuses on characterizing the microbiome and its relationship with Tuberculosis pathogenesis, diagnosis readouts in patients before and during Tuberculosis treatment. Happy considers herself a massive World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) fan, and no, she does not wrestle.
ReasearchGate Profile
Gcobisa Ndlangalavu
PhD student
Email:
gcobisa@sun.ac.za
Gcobisa is investigating new sputum-and non-sputum-based TB diagnostics that can be used at point-of-care. She is interested in seeing how well these TB diagnostics work in people living with HIV (PLHIV) initiating antiretroviral therapy, as well as HIV viral load testing for monitoring PLHIV already on antiretroviral treatment. Apart from enjoying her laboratory work, Gcobisa loves going to the gym and spending time with her family.
Yonas Ghebrekristos
PhD Student
Email: yonasg@sun.ac.za
Yonas is working on improving the diagnosis of TB and drug-resistant TB (including heteroresistance) in a high volume programmatic laboratory using novel molecular tools . He is based at a National Health and Laboratory Service laboratory in Cape Town. In his spare time, Yonas loves playing football and watching sport.
ResearchGate profile
Tinaye Chiyaka
PhD student
Email: tinayechiyaka@sun.ac.za
Tinaye is studying the role of the Microbiome in pulmonary TB pathogenesis. The study will focus on microbiome from the site of disease (Bronchoalveolar space). Tinaye is a staunch Arsenal fan & amateur photographer.
Erick Auma
PhD student
Email:
eauma@sun.ac.za
Erick is studying clinical and molecular epidemiology of resistance to new and re-purposed tuberculosis drugs using novel molecular tools. Erick loves watching football, playing chess and enjoys watching series and reality shows, especially Survivor and Amazing race.
ResearchGate profile
Arthur Chiwaya
PhD student
Email: achiwaya@sun.ac.za
Arthur is studying Markers for predicting incipient Tuberculosis. Arthur spends his free time watching nature and technology documentaries, travelling, and cooking when stressed.
Welile Dube
PhD Student
Email:
wdube@sun.ac.za
Welile's research focuses on the evaluation of a serological triage rapid test (SeroSelectTB) against the standard of care. She enjoys hiking.
Stephanie Minnies
PhD Student
Email: stephm@sun.ac.za
Stephanie is working on novel and rapid tests for diagnosis of tuberculosis using non-sputum specimens. "It's wingardium leviOsa, not leviosAH."
Loren Rockman
PhD student
Email:
rockman@sun.ac.za
Project: Focuses on novel methods for the diagnosis of Tuberculosis in high-risk HIV-positive people.
Loren is investigating the yield and accuracy of GeneXpert Ultra in patients with presumptive EPTB. Loren enjoys spending a fair amount of time in the kitchen and loves going on long road trips.
Jay Achar
PhD student
Email:
jayachar@sun.ac.za
Jay is a visiting Infectious diseases specialist doctor who is investigating the aerosolisation of M.tuberculosis and evaluating a novel aerosolised TB detection device. Jay enjoys photographing landscapes around the Western Cape.
ResearchGate profile
Google Scholar Profile
Loide Shipingana
PhD student
Email:
lshipingana@sun.ac.za
Loide is studying the immunological control of short chain fatty acids in pulmonary TB, a collaboration between CLIME and IRG group. Loide loves to laugh (can't catch her not laughing) and enjoys watching crime investigation documentaries.
Rencia Alberts
Masters student
Email: renciaalberts@sun.ac.za
Rencia is working on characterising the resistance to new and repurposed tuberculosis drugs. She is investigating whether there are minor increases over time in BDQ MIC, using a microtitre plates from the CRypTIC Consortium. She enjoys going for walks in nature, meditation, Qigong, and painting.
Robinah Nakawunde
Msc studentEmail:
nrobinah@sun.ac.za
Robinah enjoys swimming, hiking and reading in her spare time.
Laboratory staff:
Megan Hendrikse
Laboratory Manager
Email: mhendrikse@sun.ac.za
Megan overseas the day to running of the CLIME laboratory, assisting with the co-ordination of new and existing projects. Megan enjoys spending sunny days outside with her family.
Zaida Palmer
Senior Technical Officer
Email: zaida@sun.ac.za
Zaida oversees specimen processing and diagnostic testing at multiple sites in the field, as well as the biobanking of specimens at the main lab. Zaida loves cooking and shopping for clothes.
ResearchGate profile
Nandi Niemand
Research Assistant
Email:
nniemand@sun.ac.za
Nandi attends to various day to day laboratory tasks and assists with diagnostic testing and sample collection for multiple studies. After a busy week Nandi likes to escape the city life. You will probably find her unwinding with a glass of wine and her dogs always close by, or working in the farrowing houses on the farm.
ReasearchGate Profile
Desiree Mbu
Research Assistant
Email: desireelm@sun.ac.za
Desiree assists with day to day laboratory tasks and is involved in specimen processing, biobanking and data capturing across multiple studies. Desiree's hobbies involve dancing and cooking.
Irene Mardarowicz
Research Assistant
Email:
imardar@sun.ac.za
Irene assists with specimen processing, diagnostic testing and biobanking across multiple studies.
Nondumiso Lushozi
Research Assistant
Email: nondu@sun.ac.za
When you know you are destined for greatness, your potential haunts you. You will never feel complete until you succeed. It is also important to put in the work, you will always be the best project to work on.
Zola Nkwanyana
Research Assistant
Email:
znkwanyana@sun.ac.za
Zola attends to various day to day laboratory tasks and assists with specimen processing, biobanking and data capturing across multiple studies. Zola is a big coffee lover and fiction enthusiast.
ReasearchGate Profile
Anathi Ngxakeni
Research Assistant
Email:
anathin@sun.ac.za
Anathi supports multiple studies being conducted within the group by processing and capturing data for clinical samples. Anathi enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Bayanda Mdodo
Research Assistant
Email:
bayanda@sun.ac.za
Bayana aids in the execution of various studies conducted within the team by processing, handling and documenting data from clinical samples. Bayanda enjoys watching and playing soccer.
Noluthando Mdlalose
Research Assistant
Email:
tmdlalose@sun.ac.za
Noluthando contributes to daily laboratory responsibilities and participates in specimen processing, biobanking, and data collection for various research projects. Noluthando enjoys reading and cooking.
Raeesa Hussan
Research Assistant
Email:
rhussan@sun.ac.za
Raeesa plays a role in the day-to-day laboratory tasks and actively engages in specimen processing, biobanking, and data collection for multiple research endeavors. Raeesa enjoys watching documentaries, cooking and adventures in nature.
Clinical staff
Charlotte Lawn
Research Nurse
Email: clawn@sun.ac.za
Charlotte is based at Scottsdene TB clinic, where she recruits patients with suspected TB to evaluate the accuracy and impact of new TB tests. Charlotte is a keen orchid grower and loves gardening.
Charmaine van der Walt
Research Nurse
Email: charmainev@sun.ac.za
Charmaine leads recruitment at Kraaifontein Community Health Centre, where she recruits patients into studies evaluating the impact of new diagnostics for TB and HIV. Charmaine loves to snorkel.
Jane Fortuin
Research nurse
Email:
jcfortuin@sun.ac.za
Jane is a research nurse based at the Wallacedene clinic and recruits patients suspected with TB.
Dawn Davis
Research Nurse
Email:
dawnd@sun.ac.za
Dawn loves hiking and camping in her spare time.
Phumza Siboto
Research Nurse
Email:
siboto@sun.ac.za
Phumza enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Nonelwa Msengana
Research Nurse
Email:
nbonene@sun.ac.za
Nonelwa is a calm and understanding individual. She is based at Kraaifontein Community Health Centre. Nonelwa enjoys interacting with and getting to know her patients, and she ensures that participants understand the procedure.
Boniswa Jali
Research nurse
Email:
bjali@sun.ac.za
Boniswa is a research nurse based at Tygerberg. She forms part of the TB Lung study. Her tasks involve patient recruitment, specimen collection and processing.
Fikiswa Seti
Community Health Worker
Email: fikiswa@sun.ac.za
Fikiswa helps source patients, consent them, conduct home visits in the Kraaifontein area, and performs several point-of-care tests at the clinic. Fikiswa loves walking.
Dandelene Sylvester
Community Health Worker
Email: dandelene@sun.ac.za
Danny helps source patients, consent them, and conduct home visits in the Scottsdene area. Danny loves dancing and socialising with family and friends.
Zinthle Ntwana
Community health worker
Email:
zntwana@sun.ac.za
Zinthle is based at the Wallacedene clinic and handles recruitment of patients and helps consent them.
Nosimphiwe Booi
Community Health Worker
Assisting at Wallacedene Clinic to recruit patients and conducting home visits. Enjoys Cooking and Travelling.
Fumane Nkili
Community Health Worker
Email:
fnkili@sun.ac.za
Fumane's work is based at Tygerberg. She helps source patients for TB Lung study and consents them. Her additional tasks include patient x-ray, CT scans and bronchoscopy.
Mpho Makroti
Community Health Worker
Email:
mletholi@sun.ac.za
Mpho assists with patient recruitment in the Kraaifontein area for R2D2 and CAGE-TB projects. She enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
Camray Botha
Clinical Assistant
I'm a family orientated person. Spending time with family outside nature and likes socializing.
Phamela Mpofu
Community Health Care Worker Assistant
Email:
phamela@sun.ac.za
Phamela is a kind and humble individual who is always prepared to go the extra mile to assist wherever she can. Phamela's main focus is patient recruitment.
Chumani Hatile
Community Healthcare Worker
Email:
chumani@sun.ac.za
Chumani based in Kraaifontein helps to recruit and content R2D2 patients. She enjoys reading and traveling
Shafiek Samaai
Vehicle Driver
Email: ssamaai@sun.ac.za
Shafiek is meticulous in everything he does. He's always striving to help wherever he can in the workplace, he's eager to learn more and broaden his horizons.
Byron Biscombe
Driver
Email: bbiscombe@sun.ac.za
Byron is ambitious and driven. He sets goals for himself and is always striving towards something. He is a humble individual who will try to assist where he can without complaints.
Amos Nkosinathi Gumenge
Vehicle Driver
Email:
amosg@sun.ac.za
Amos is a hardworking individual who is always willing to assist. He is a people's person who can adapt to any situation. Amos enjoys watching soccer and rugby in his free time.
Andile Miti
Vehicle Driver
Email:
amiti@sun.ac.za
Andile is a hard worker and a team player and is also willing to learn and share his skills amongst fellow colleagues.
Alumni
Selisha Naidoo Laboratory Manager
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Rebecca Tadokera
Research Scientist
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Tatenda Mujuru
MSc student
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Ashley Steyn
Research Field Worker
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Analeen Sampson
Research Nurse
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Linda Makaluza
Research Nurse
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Natasha Kitchin
Technical officer
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Caroline Vanherck
Intern
| Nozuko Zukiswa
PhD student |
Yolanda Novokoza
Intern
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Roxanne Higgitt
Research Assistant
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Marina Ferreira
Study co-ordinator
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Chantell Meyer
Research Nurse
|  Lizl Bashe
Research nurse
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Edwina Johnson
Research Nurse
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Irene Mardarowicz
Research Assistant
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Nondumiso Lushozi
Research Assistant
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Mpho Makroti
Community Health Worker
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In remembrance
 Ruth Wilson |  Raymond Fredericks |  Byron Reeves |
