| SU awarded R28 million grant to investigate immune systems of HIV-positive mothers, newborns | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10642 | | SU awarded R28 million grant to investigate immune systems of HIV-positive mothers, newborns | Corporate Communication and Marketing/Korporatiewe Kommunikasie en Bemarking [Alec Basson] | <p>Prof Clive Gray from the Division of Immunology in the Biomedical Research Institute at Stellenbosch University (SU) has been awarded a R28 million grant over five years from the Fogarty International Centre at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) to initiate a training programme to understand the immune systems of HIV-positive mothers and their newborns in Africa. <br></p><p>The grant is for the multidisciplinary, international, and intercontinental African HIV training programme known as Next Generation Training in HIV Research: Immunity in the First 1000 days in mother-infant dyads (TIGRIS). <br></p><p>Through rigorous clinical and basic science laboratory training, TIGRIS will investigate specific hypotheses related to how HIV infection in pregnant women leads to adverse birth outcomes and ensuing immune dysfunction in children. The primary site will be at SU, with the main partner being the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, USA.<br></p><p>“Reproductive immunology (interactions between the immune system and reproductive processes) in the context of HIV infection is a totally under-developed field globally and specifically in Africa, where the majority of the world's pregnant people with HIV live. Understanding the impact of maternal HIV infection on the developing baby in the womb and after birth is the focus of TIGRIS," says Gray. He is also Head of the Reproductive Immunology Research Consortium in Africa group (RIRCA) at SU. RIRCA is a consortium of immunologists and paediatricians conducting research into markers and mechanisms of poor birth outcomes and perinatal outcomes which have an immunology aetiology (the study of the causes of immune-related conditions).</p><p>Gray adds that the NIH grant will “allow us to build up RIRCA into a dynamic research, training, and teaching hub. It builds on the solid research backbone my team has built up over the past 3 years at SU and extends it to training and teaching across Africa and partnering research labs in the United Kingdom (UK) and the USA. <br></p><p>“We will be able to leverage this training grant to apply for more research funds from the NIH and other donor funders to strengthen our research portfolio and thus provide more training opportunities for MMed and PhD students, as well as post-doctoral fellows."<br></p><p>`TIGRIS has multiple co-investigators from the USA (Morehouse School of Medicine, Stanford University, Duke University, Weill-Cornell Medical College, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Seattle Children's Research Institute and Harvard University); Canada (University of Toronto); and the UK (Universities of Cambridge, Oxford and Surrey). The wide spectrum of global immunology experts will serve as mentors by providing short- and medium-term laboratory training for registered MMed and PhD students and post-doctoral fellows in South Africa, Benin, Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda.</p><p>Gray says they expect to collectively train 45 students at SU and its African partners. “The trainees will also further our understanding of how HIV disrupts the health of mothers and newborns as well as the functions of the placenta."<br></p><ul><li>Click <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8440"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">here</strong></a><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0"> </span>to read more about Prof Clive Gray.<br></li></ul><p><br></p> |
| 2023 Research and Innovation Excellence Awards – a celebration of research with impact at SU | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10284 | | 2023 Research and Innovation Excellence Awards – a celebration of research with impact at SU | Division for Research Development | Afdeling Navorsingsontwikkeling | <p><span style="text-align:justify;">Stellenbosch University (SU)'s Research and Innovation Excellence Award ceremony was held at STIAS on Monday 30 October 2023. The awards recognised researchers, postdoctoral research fellows and postgraduate students who contributed in one of the award categories: postgraduate students; early career researchers; established researchers; women in research; awards for newly A-rated researchers; postgraduate supervision; technology transfer/innovation; research outputs; The Conversation Africa awards for science communication; postdoctoral research fellows; a DVC Interdisciplinary/Group award; as well as a Rector and Vice-Chancellor's Research for Impact Award.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Research-related activities and outputs make a critical contribution to expanding SU's national and international reputation as an excellent research-intensive university that advances knowledge in service of society.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">More importantly is the fact that new knowledge generated at SU in this manner is transferred to a broader national and global audience, thus enhancing the application of research results and the establishment of high-level human capacity. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">The awards therefore give recognition to individuals for their exceptional and excellent contribution towards SU`s research enterprise. They have been engaged in high qualify research, knowledge transfer, or research-related activities over a sustained period of time and therefore deserve acknowledgement for the impact of their work.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">In her opening address, Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies at SU, highlighted the fact that SU relies on the research and innovation expertise of its people, excellent infrastructure and an impeccable reputation to deliver high quality training, produce new knowledge and conduct research needed to solve some of the pressing problems in our environment and society. Impactful research is one of the main drivers that measures the value add of SU to knowledge generation and high-end skills training. “We therefore celebrate this group of awardees, but also everyone who has been nominated in the various categories. We also want to thank the Faculties, Departments, Schools, Research Centers and Institutes for creating enabling spaces for these researchers and students to thrive. This year we introduced a nomination process and a few more categories to look at the broader impact of the research beyond focusing only on the number of publications but also the impact of the research outcomes", she added. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Prof Wim De Villiers, Rector, and Vice-Chancellor, congratulated the awardees who contribute to SU's strategic vision of becoming Africa's leading research-intensive institution: “One of SU's core strategic themes is Research for Impact. And the impact our researchers are making - on Stellenbosch University's reputation and influence as a world-class institution that produces excellent research, and within their fields of expertise in South Africa, Africa and beyond – that's a legacy to be proud of."</p><p>You can find the awards ceremony booklet with the names of all the nominees in the different categories here: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https://bit.ly/3FGNMGJ&data=05%7c01%7c%7c6b8d6e1edf3f41cc4c7e08dbdaccede9%7ca6fa3b030a3c42588433a120dffcd348%7c0%7c0%7c638344345928083384%7cUnknown%7cTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7c3000%7c%7c%7c&sdata=hNgHL90mCiVpbVa4tve2iRFlIWQcHfiY6JsU3Tdn7AE%3D&reserved=0">https://bit.ly/3FGNMGJ</a></p><table cellspacing="0" class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:100%;"><tbody><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" colspan="2" style="width:50%;"><strong>Research and Innovation Excellence Awards 2023 awardees: </strong> <br><br></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" colspan="2"><strong style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;">POSTGRADUATE STUDENT CATEGORY</span></strong><span style="color:#60223b;"> </span><strong style="color:#60223b;"> </strong></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Megan Bruwer</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Civil Engineering </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Ms Kimberly Coetzer</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Biomedical Sciences</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Ms Elizaveta Koroleva</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Microbiology </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Ms Carmen-Marie Payne</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Medical Physiology </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Samantha Pillay</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Biomedical Sciences</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Tulimo Uushona</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Animal Sciences</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" colspan="2"><strong><span style="color:#60223b;">EARLY CAREER RESEARCHER CATEGORY</span></strong><span style="color:#60223b;"> </span><strong style="color:#60223b;"> </strong></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Bronwyn Coetzee</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Psychology </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Wynand Goosen</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Biomedical Sciences</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Karel Kruger</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Douglas Parry</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Information Science</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Sanjeev Rambharose</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Physiological Sciences </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Rizwana Roomaney</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Psychology </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Delano van der Linde</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Public Law </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" colspan="2"><strong style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;">ESTABLISHED RESEARCHER CATEGORY </span></strong><span style="color:#60223b;"> </span><strong style="color:#60223b;"> </strong></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Karen Esler</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Conservation Ecology and Entomology </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Andries Engelbrecht</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Industrial Engineering</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Ashraf Kagee</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Psychology </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Michele Miller</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Biomedical Sciences</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Grant Theron</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Biomedical Sciences</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" colspan="2"><strong style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;">WOMEN IN RESEARCH CATEGORY - 5 awards</span></strong><span style="color:#60223b;"> </span><strong style="color:#60223b;"> </strong></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Annie Bekker</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Oonsie Biggs</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Centre for Sustainability Transitions</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Zsa-Zsa Boggenpoel</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Private law </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Catherine Cluver</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Obstetrics and Gynaecology</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Marlo Möller</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Molecular Biology and Human Genetics</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" colspan="2"><strong style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;">Awards for newly A-rated Researchers</span></strong><span style="color:#60223b;"> </span><strong style="color:#60223b;"> </strong></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Guy Midgley </td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Director: School for Climate Studies</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Gerhard Walzl </td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Molecular Biology and Human Genetics</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" colspan="2"><strong style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;">Postgraduate Supervision Awards</span></strong><span style="color:#60223b;"> </span><strong style="color:#60223b;"> </strong></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Dirk de Villiers</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Electrical and Electronic Engineering</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Sara Grobbelaar</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Industrial Engineering</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Doreen Kaura</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Nursing and Midwifery</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Cletos Mapiye</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Animal Sciences</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Robbie Pott</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Chemical Engineering</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Jan van Vuuren</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Industrial Engineering</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" colspan="2"><strong style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;">Technology Transfer/Innovation Awards</span></strong><span style="color:#60223b;"> </span><strong style="color:#60223b;"> </strong></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Resia Pretorius</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Physiological Sciences</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Jason Samuels</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Industrial Engineering</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" colspan="2"><strong style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;">DVC Top Research Output Award</span></strong><span style="color:#60223b;"> </span><strong style="color:#60223b;"> </strong></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Oluwole Makinde</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Mathematics</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Soraya Seedat</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Psychiatry</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Robin Warren</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Molecular Biology and Human Genetics</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Bernard Wessels</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Private Law</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Evert Kleynhans</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Military History</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" colspan="2"><strong style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;"></span><span style="color:#60223b;"></span><span style="color:#60223b;">The Conversation Africa Awards</span></strong><span style="color:#60223b;"> </span><strong style="color:#60223b;"> </strong></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Charles MacRobert</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Civil Engineering</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Sara Andreotti</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Botany and Zoology</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Amanda Gouws</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Political Science</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Mr Wandile Sihlobo</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Agricultural Economics</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" colspan="2"><strong style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;">CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION</span></strong><span style="color:#60223b;"> </span></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Lungi Nkonki - Future Professors Programme</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Health Systems and Public Health</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Margreth Tadie - Future Professors Programme</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Chemical Engineering</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Tongai Gibson Maponga - Future Professors Programme</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Medical Virology</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Uhuru Portia Phalafula - Future Professors Programme</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">English</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Nox Makunga - Future Professors Programme</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Botany and Zoology</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Gibson Ncube - Future Professors Programme</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Modern Foreign Languages</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Tawanda Zininga - Future Professors Programme</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Biochemistry</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Retief Muller - for PhDs delivered</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Systematic Theology and Ecclessiology</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Johann Cilliers - for PhDs delivered</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Practical Theology and Missiology</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Maureen Robinson - for PhDs delivered</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Curriculum Studies</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Marius Ungerer - for research outputs</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">USB</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Florian Krobb - for research outputs</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Modern Foreign Languages</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Christof Sauer - for research outputs</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Practical Theology and Missiology</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr John Harper - for research outputs</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Old and New Testament</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" colspan="2"><strong style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;">Postdoctoral Awards</span></strong><span style="color:#60223b;"> </span><strong style="color:#60223b;"> </strong></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Chioma Ohajunwa - Postdoctoral Research Fellow of the Year Award</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Africa Centre for HIV/Aids Management</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Grant Theron - Outstanding Postdoctoral Mentor Award</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Biomedical Sciences</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Natalia Florez Quiroz - Top Postdoctoral Research Fellow Award</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Civil Engineering</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Eirik Wik - Top Postdoctoral Research Fellow Award</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Hayley Jackson - Top Postdoctoral Research Fellow Award</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Biochemistry</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Suventha Moodley - Top Postdoctoral Research Fellow Award</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Biochemistry</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Dr Lindani Moyo - Top Postdoctoral Research Fellow Award</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Plant Pathology</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" colspan="2"><strong style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;">DVC INTERDISCIPLINARY/GROUP AWARD</span></strong><span style="color:#60223b;"> </span><strong style="color:#60223b;"> </strong></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI)</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">School for Data Science and Computational Thinking </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Institute for Life Course Health Research (ILCHR)</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Global Health</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default" colspan="2"><strong style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;"></span><span style="color:#60223b;"></span><span style="color:#60223b;">RECTOR AND VICE-CHANCELLOR`S RESEARCH FOR IMPACT AWARD</span></strong> <strong> </strong></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">Prof Tulio De Oliveira</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI)</td></tr></tbody></table><p> <br></p> |
| Research abounds at the FMHS | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10160 | | Research abounds at the FMHS | FMHS Marketing & Communications – Wilma Stassen | <p>Some of the top-tier research that have placed the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) among the World University Rankings' 150 top health sciences institutions were on display at the Faculty's 67<sup>th</sup> Annual Academic Day (AAD).</p><p>This auspicious event is one of the highlights on the Faculty's annual academic calendar and was for the first time held in the FMHS' new world-class Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI). Over the course of the two-day event held on the afternoons of 30 and 31 August, more than 120 oral presentations – including eight state-of-the-art lectures* – and 213 poster presentations were shared among the FMHS' assiduous scientific community. </p><p>During the 67<sup>th</sup> AAD opening ceremony, four up-and-coming scientists were recognised for their excellence in research:</p><ul><li>Dr Jane Shaw received the HD Brede Award for Postgraduate Research in Infectious Disease (Clinical Research Category) for a research article published in <em>Scientific Reports</em>: Optimising the yield from bronchoalveolar lavage on human participants in infectious disease immunology research.</li><li>Dr Brigitta Derendinger received the HD Brede Award for Postgraduate Research in Infectious Disease (Biomedical Research Category) for a research article accepted for publication in <em>The Lancet Microbe</em>: Bedaquiline resistance among patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis in Cape Town, South Africa: a retrospective longitudinal cohort study.</li><li>Ms Anné Lermer received the Faculty Award for Academic Excellence in a Master's Programme (Structured Master's Category) for obtaining her MSc in Pharmacology with distinction.</li><li>Ms Chantelise Watkins (Slabbert) received the Faculty Award for Academic Excellence in a Master's Programme (Thesis Master's Category) for obtaining her MSc in Sport Science with distinction.</li></ul><p>In his opening address, Prof Nico Gey van Pittius, FMHS Vice Dean: Research and Internationalisation relayed some of the Faculty's research successes. “As a faculty we have put in a huge effort to support our students, and grow our number of doctoral and postdoctoral students, and this is reflected in the increased rate of publications we've seen over the last few years," Gey van Pittius said. Annually the FMHS produces as much as 30% of Stellenbosch University's journal articles, and the Faculty is ranked fifth in the world for the number of publications relating to tuberculosis for the past two years. Over the past two decades the FMHS has also shown marked increases in the number of female, African, Indian, and Asian authors, as well as the number of authors under the age of 50. </p><p>“I attribute this to the modern infrastructure and facilities, our cutting-edge technologies, our state-of-the-art equipment, and of course, our people," Gey van Pittius said. “We are doing all of this to make a difference in a country and a continent where there need is great, and we believe that our contributions in terms of medicine and health sciences research, makes a difference in people's lives." </p><p>As is customary, the Faculty Dean, Prof Elmi Muller, delivered a Dean's Address during the opening ceremony, where she covered the topic of using technology and artificial intelligence in health care. “We're at the crossroads of an extraordinary time in health care. An era where the deluge of breakthrough science and revolutionary technology presents us with unprecedented opportunities to change lives, challenge norms, and drive research and innovation to new heights," Muller posited.</p><p>She laid out how artificial intelligence is already being incorporated in our daily lives, and highlighted some of the opportunities it holds for health care practitioners and patients. But she also offered a stern warning. “While we consider this partnership with AI – it can make us smarter, faster and safer – we have to keep in mind that there are some things that are very specific to humans that cannot be replaced. We must keep our hands on the wheel, and we have to make sure that in this complex world we understand what can happen, what can be different, and how we stay in control," Muller concluded. </p><p>The guest speaker, Prof Lynn Morris, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation at the University of the Witwatersrand, delivered a lecture entitled 'Universities as drivers of health research and innovation – a personal perspective', in which she unpacked the role universities played in during the Covid-19 and HIV/AIDS pandemics, and relayed some of her personal experiences as an infectious diseases researcher.</p><p> </p><p>*State-of-the-art lectures</p><table cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.3333%;">Academic track</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.3333%;">Presenter</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.3333%;">Presentation title</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Exercise Sport and Lifestyle Medicine</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Prof Eileen Africa</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">The active child – Unlocking their potential through physical activity</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Health Professions Education</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Prof Ian Couper</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">E=mc<sup>2</sup>. Is training health professionals relatively simple?</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Perioperative Sciences</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Prof Nando Ferreira</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Current trends in limb salvage and reconstruction surgery</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Infectious Diseases</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Prof Marlo Möller</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Host genetic susceptibility to infectious diseases in diverse populations – an emerging story</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Non-communicable Diseases</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Prof Carine Smith</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Disease modelling and drug discovery – the value of zebrafish</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Mental Health and Neuroscience</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Prof Leigh van den Heuvel</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">A hair divides what is false and true, Omar Khayyam – What our hair can reveal about our mental health</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Violence, Injuries, Trauma and Rehabilitation</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Prof Lieketseng Ned</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Technology and violence against women with disabilities: Technology-enabled risk, and resource for resilience in low- and middle-income countries</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Maternal and Child Health</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Prof Regan Solomons</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Are we close to challenging the status quo in Childhood Tuberculous Meningitis</td></tr></tbody></table><p> <br></p><p><br></p> |
| Prof Gerhard Walzl receives A-rating from NRF | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10017 | | Prof Gerhard Walzl receives A-rating from NRF | Corporate Communication & Marketing / Korporatiewe Kommunikasie & Bemarking [Alec Basson] | <p>One of Stellenbosch University (SU)'s eminent scientists, Prof Gerhard Walzl, Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, received his first A-rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF) recently. <br></p><p>Walzl's rating puts SU's total of A-rated researchers at 21 – the most ever at the institution. SU now boasts a total of 504 NRF-rated researchers. </p><p>An A-rating is the highest achievable rating for researchers on the NRF's rating system. A-rated researchers are unequivocally recognised by their peers as leading international scholars in their respective fields for the high quality and impact of recent research outputs. </p><p>A clinician scientist, trained in internal medicine, pulmonology and immunology, Walzl, who is also a Distinguished Professor, leads the multi-disciplinary Immunology Research Group in the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics at SU. </p><p>He was honoured by the NRF for his outstanding research on the immunology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection and in particular host biomarkers, including diagnostic markers and markers of TB treatment response and of protective immunity against MTB. </p><p>Commenting on his A-rating, Walzl said it signifies the leading role that South African scientists can and do play. He added that this is only possible through sustained collaboration both within the country and globally, and through the support of the university and South Africa and global funders of an exceptional team.</p><p>“My team is humbled by this recognition and grateful that more than two decades of hard work is seen as meaningful and cutting edge. It also shows that our research topic, immunology and biomarkers of TB, is seen as important. At the same time, we recognise that the job is not at all done and that a lot has to happen before one can say that health sciences have made a meaningful dent into the devastating TB challenge."</p><p>Prior to receiving an A-rating, Walzl was honoured by the South African Medical Research Council with a gold medal for Outstanding Lifetime Scientific Contributions to Health Research and also elected a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa in 2021. In the same year, an international research team led by him received the EDCTP (European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership) Scientific Research Team Prize.</p><p>Walzl has played a leading role in several international multisite projects funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the EDCTP and the US National Institute for Health. Under his leadership, the Department of Biomedical Sciences was instrumental in the recent launch of the state-of-the-art Biomedical Research Institute at SU, the most cutting-edge and advanced biomedical research complex of its kind in Africa. </p><p>Walzl has published widely on biomarkers for TB treatment response and contributed significantly to educational activities by supervising more than 30 postgraduate students during the past 15 years. He has also submitted six different patent applications, two of which were granted and four are still pending.</p><p>The NRF rating system is a benchmarking system whereby individuals who exemplify the highest standards of research, as well as those demonstrating strong potential as researchers, are identified by an extensive network of South African and international peer reviewers. Ratings are based on the quality and impact of recent research outputs (over an eight-year period).</p><ul><li>Click <a href="/english/research-innovation/Research-Development/Pages/ratedlist.aspx"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">here</strong></a><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0"> </strong>for a list of SU's NRF-rated researchers.<br></li></ul><p><strong>Photo by Stefan Els</strong><br></p> |
| Eminent researchers to fly SU flag at SA’s ‘Science Oscars’ | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9972 | | Eminent researchers to fly SU flag at SA’s ‘Science Oscars’ | Corporate Communication & Marketing / Korporatiewe Kommunikasie & Bemarking [Alec Basson] | <p>Stellenbosch University (SU) will be well represented at the <a href="https://nstf.org.za/awards/"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">2022/2023 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)/South32 Awards</strong></a> with no fewer than seven of the institution's eminent researchers set to compete as finalists for South Africa's prestigious 'Science Oscars'. The 25th annual NSTF Awards will be held on Thursday 13 July 2023.<br></p><p>The NSTF Awards Gala Event will take place simultaneously in Cape Town and Johannesburg, while being broadcast live to an online audience from both cities via the NSTF YouTube channel. The patron of the Awards, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, has been invited to preside over the presentation of the awards.<br></p><p>Regarded as the most sought-after national accolades of their kind in the country, the NSTF/South32 Awards recognise, celebrate and reward the outstanding contributions of individuals, teams and organisations to science, engineering and technology (SET) in the country. Among the competitors are experienced scientists, engineers, innovators, science communicators, engineering capacity builders, organisational managers and leaders, as well as data and research managers.</p><p>According to the organisers, it is an extraordinary honour to be a finalist given the quality of the nominations received every year, the fierce competition that nominees face and growing interest from the SET community over the years.</p><p>The SU finalists (with their departments, divisions or environments) and the categories in which they will compete are as follows:</p><p><strong><em>Lifetime Award</em></strong><br></p><ul><li><p>Prof Clive Gray (Molecular Biology and Human Genetics)</p></li><li>Prof Jonathan Jansen (Education Policy Studies)<br></li><li>Prof Francesco Petruccione (School for Data Science and Computational Thinking)</li></ul><p><strong><em>TW Kambule Award: Researcher</em></strong></p><ul><li>Prof Novel Chegou (Molecular Biology and Human Genetics) </li><li>Prof Marlo Moller (Molecular Biology and Human Genetics) </li></ul><p><strong><em>NSTF-South African Medical Research Council Award: Emerging Researcher</em></strong></p><ul><li>Dr Leigh van der Heuvel (Psychiatry) </li><li>Prof Shahida Moosa (Molecular Biology and Human Genetics) <br></li></ul><p><br></p> |
| A world-class biomedical research facility in Africa, for Africa | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9882 | | A world-class biomedical research facility in Africa, for Africa | FMHS Marketing & Communications / FGGW Bemarking & Kommunikasie – Wilma Stassen | <p>South African Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Mr Buti Manamela, commended Stellenbosch University (SU) on its visionary leadership in establishing the cutting-edge Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI) – which will not only benefit the people of South Africa, but the entire African continent.<br></p><p>“Building on SU's long tradition of world-class research, the creation of this state-of-the-art facility is a very important milestone in our efforts to strengthen our national system of innovation, and more specifically, the health research innovation and infrastructure of both our country and our continent," Manamela said at the inauguration of SU's BMRI. This facility is the most advanced biomedical research complex on the African continent and is focussed on finding solutions to some of the most pressing health issues affecting people in South Africa and the rest of Africa.</p><p>Manamela officiated the opening of this R1,2 billion (approximately US$ 66 million) facility during a gala dinner, held last night (19 April 2023) at the BMRI on SU's Tygerberg campus in Cape Town. The event formed part of a week-long programme hosted by SU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences to introduce the new facility to the public and the global and local scientific community. </p><p>“The BMRI is not just a facility – it represents a new way of doing science on the African continent. It is a symbol of our commitment to using science to create a better future for all," SU Rector, Prof Wim de Villiers said in his address. “We believe that the BMRI will be a catalyst for change, leading the way in the fight against disease and promoting the health and well-being of people throughout the continent."</p><p>The BMRI houses more than 500 biomedical researchers and students, including some of the world's foremost scientists in the fields of bioinformatics, tuberculosis, neuroscience, and urology. The leading-edge research emanating from the facility has a decidedly African focus and seeks to understand the genetic and biomolecular basis of diseases afflicting South Africa and the rest of the African continent, such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and cardio-metabolic disorders.</p><p>The BMRI boasts numerous state-of-the-art laboratories, including the largest (600 m<sup>2</sup>) biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory and fully automated biorepository in Africa, a bioinformatics hub, electron microscopy laboratories, proteomics and flow cytometry services (FACS) laboratories, a medical morphological learning centre; a Sunskill laboratory, and clinical research facilities.</p><p>“We see the creation of this facility by SU as an important addition to our country's scientific resources. The research focus of the facility aligns perfectly with the objectives of government policy – the White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation and the decadal plan – which aims to strengthen our country's national system of innovation, to the benefit of all," said Manamela.<br></p><p><br></p><p><em>Caption: Prof Wim de Villiers (SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor), Prof Elmi Muller (Dean of SU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences) and Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Mr Buti Manamela, cutting the ribbon at the BMRI's inauguration.</em><br></p><p><em>Photo credit: Nardus Engelbrecht</em><br></p> |
| Leading-edge Biomedical Research Institute a 'game changer' for healthcare in Africa | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9866 | | Leading-edge Biomedical Research Institute a 'game changer' for healthcare in Africa | Corporate Communication and Marketing Division / Afdeling Korporatiewe Kommunikasie en Bemarking | <p>The launch of its new state-of-the-art Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI) places Stellenbosch University (SU) at the forefront of biomedical sciences on the African continent. <br></p><p>The BMRI is a world-class biomedical research complex on par with the best in the world and is unparalleled, not only on the African continent, but the entire southern hemisphere, in terms of its cutting-edge facilities and extensive research capacity. </p><p>The BMRI, situated on SU's Tygerberg Campus in Cape town, is being inaugurated over the next week.</p><p>“The realisation of the BMRI resonates with SU's vision of being Africa's leading research-intensive university with the objective of being globally recognised for our excellence in innovation to advance knowledge in service of society," says Prof Wim de Villiers, SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor.</p><p>The facility houses more than 500 biomedical researchers and students, including some of the world's foremost scientists in the fields of bioinformatics, tuberculosis, neuroscience, and urology. The leading-edge research emanating from the facility has a decidedly African focus and seeks to understand the genetic and biomolecular basis of diseases afflicting South Africa and the rest of the African continent.</p><p>“Scientists at the BMRI conduct research that translates into discoveries that help improve the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of illnesses affecting the people of South Africa and the rest of Africa," says Prof Nico Gey van Pittius, Vice Dean: Research and Internationalisation of SU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), where the BMRI is based.</p><p>Construction of this R1,2 billion facility (approximately US$ 66 million) commenced in 2018 and was completed in 2023 – despite major challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The planning and design of this multifaceted complex followed a future-focussed approach resulting in a high-performance research hub that is modular, functional and sustainable. </p><p>The BMRI boasts numerous state-of-the-art laboratories, including the largest (600m<sup>2</sup>) biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory and fully-automated biorepository in Africa, lecture and conference theatres equipped with the latest audio-visual technology, and large modern dissection halls custom-engineered to minimise formaldehyde exposure. The BMRI was also awarded a 4-star rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa.</p><p>“The research conducted in the BMRI builds on SU's commitment to impactful research which takes into account the natural environment, health, human security as well as systems and technologies for the future. At the heart of our scientific endeavours, is the challenge to be locally relevant and globally competitive," says Prof Sibusiso Moyo, SU Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies.</p><p>The immense value of the BMRI was recognised even before its completion in 2023, and high-profile visitors, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, came to view the facility in 2022. The facility's potential was further endorsed when SU's Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), located in the BMRI, was selected by the WHO as a partner-member of the first Covid mRNA Vaccine Technology Transfer Hub.</p><p>“The investment in the BMRI will allow significant human capacity development through training some of the best students from the continent and exposing them to extensive national and international research networks to results in a next generation of successful scientists," says Prof Elmi Muller, FMHS Dean. “The BMRI will be a game changer for healthcare in Africa and is true evidence of using breakthrough science to improve lives."</p><p> </p><p><strong>MORE ABOUT THE BMRI</strong></p><ul><li>The BMRI is the largest and most sophisticated research complex of its kind on the African continent and in the southern hemisphere.</li><li>Apart from the facilities mentioned above, the BMRI also hosts:</li><ul><li>A Bioinformatics hub;</li><li>Electron microscopy laboratories;</li><li>Proteomics and flow cytometry services (FACS) laboratories;</li><li>A Medical Morphological Learning Centre;</li><li>The Sunskill laboratory; and</li><li>Clinical research facilities.</li></ul><li>At 600m<sup>2</sup>, the BMRI hosts the largest biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory facilities on the African continent. BSL-3 laboratories are used to study infectious agents or toxins that may be transmitted through the air and cause potentially lethal infections. BSL-3 laboratories are designed to be easily decontaminated. </li><li>A system of negative air pressure keeps hazardous fumes or airborne toxins from flowing out of laboratories and into adjacent areas. A powerful ventilation and filtration plant continuously draw air out of laboratories and to the top of the building, where it is filtered and released.</li><li>The BMRI boasts advanced energy recovery technology fitted to the air system that reduces the building's carbon footprint compared to other similar buildings.</li></ul><p> </p><p><em>Click </em><a href="/english/faculty/healthsciences/biomedical-research-institute/Pages/Groups.aspx"><em>here</em></a><em> for more information on the research being conducted at the BMRI.</em></p><p><em>Click </em><a href="/english/Lists/Events/DispForm.aspx?ID=5476"><em>here</em></a><em> for more information about the BMRI launch activities taking place over the next week.</em></p><ul><li><em>Click </em><a href="/english/faculty/healthsciences/biomedical-research-institute/Pages/Resources.aspx#GB"><em>here</em></a><em> for a link to photos, videos and soundbites</em></li></ul><p><em><br></em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br></p> |
| Improving lives with breakthroughs in biomedical sciences | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9862 | | Improving lives with breakthroughs in biomedical sciences | Gerhard Walzl | <p>A leading-edge biomedical research facility, the Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI), is being launched by Stellenbosch University (SU) this week. In an opinion piece for the <em>Daily Maverick </em>(13 April 2023), Prof Gerhard Walzl, Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at SU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, explains why this R1,2 billion investment in biomedical sciences is important, and what it will mean for Africa. </p><ul><li><p>Read the article below or click <a href="https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-04-13-stellenbosch-university-unveils-r1-2-billion-investment-in-biomedical-science-for-africa/"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">here</strong></a><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0"> </strong>for the piece as published.</p></li></ul><p><strong>The case for biomedical sciences</strong><br></p><p>Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers are most often viewed as the heroes of healthcare. And while they undoubtedly play a crucial role in delivering treatment to patients (often selflessly and courageously under difficult circumstances), this paradigm does not account for the multitude of scientists and thousands of laboratory hours behind the research and development of every tablet, injection or medical device used to treat you, the patient. </p><p>To use a cycling metaphor – if healthcare workers are the cyclists, biomedical science is not only the bicycle they're riding, but also the road, the road map, the construction worker who built the road, and the town planner who designed it.</p><p>Biomedical research has long been at the heart of sweeping changes to the practice of medicine and underpins new ground-breaking developments. </p><p>Immediately coming to mind is Sir Alex Fleming's almost forgotten Petri dish that led to the discovery of penicillin – the antibiotic touted as having saved more than 200 million lives over the past eight decades. Or the discovery of insulin and consequent scientific developments enabling mass production of this hormone, making it accessible to millions of type 1 diabetes patients whose lives would otherwise have been cut short. </p><p>More recent developments include the development of 3D-printed medical devices that have revolutionised some fields of medicine. Some of the applications in use today include 3D-printed skin for burn victims; airway splints for lungs; noses and ears for cancer patients; heart valves; joint implants; and functional artificial hands. Experimentally, spontaneously beating 3D-printed hearts have been produced, albeit for rabbits. In future, such developments could be game changers for the treatment of life-threatening conditions, like heart failure. </p><p>Biomedical science concerns itself with finding answers to medical questions and provides pieces of the puzzle that have been essential for the progress that we have seen over the past 100 years, accelerating dramatically over the past few decades.</p><p>Taken together, there are too many applications of biomedical sciences to mention. All preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic or treatment monitoring interventions have been channelled through biomedical science processes. This includes vaccines, pain killers, new cancer treatments, contraceptives, antibiotics, nutritional support, cholesterol-lowering drugs, heart failure drugs, immune suppressive drugs, organ transplantation-related drugs and many more.</p><p><strong>Biomedical science </strong><strong><em>in</em></strong><strong> Africa</strong></p><p>In South Africa, biomedical science was thrust onto the international stage during the recent Covid-19 pandemic, when genomic surveillance – conducted right here on the Cape Flats – enabled South African scientists to quickly identify the Beta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 and warn the rest of the world about the impending threat.</p><p>Covid-19 will not be the last pathogen to cause epidemics and pandemics. As was evident during the last epidemic, there are significant barriers to the rapid availability and sharing of available genomic data. The Network for Genomic Surveillance in South Africa (NGS-SA), established by Prof Tulio de Oliveira, a key member of the BMRI, allows the combination of near-real time genomic surveillance data with other epidemiological data and to rapidly analyse the data to produce actionable information for public health officials and policymakers. </p><p>Clear communication lines between scientists and policy makers in South Africa, Africa and the rest of the world will be essential for rapid responses, the formulation of public health interventions and monitoring of future pandemics, to prevent a repetition of the devastating economic and public health consequences that were seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Biomedical science </strong><strong><em>for</em></strong><strong> Africa</strong></p><p>Africa has its own set of health challenges and needs to develop its own solutions that take African realities into account. These include a lack of infrastructure, such as transportation and cold chain challenges, affordability, disease profiles, such as higher prevalence of infectious diseases like TB, malaria and HIV and population genetic make-up. </p><p>Simply relying on solutions developed in other areas for their own realities will not ensure that the most appropriate solutions are researched or adopted. Africa should not only be the recipient of biomedical technology, but also a provider of solutions. An investment in biomedical research, which is dedicated to understanding the genetic and bio-molecular basis of disease with a decidedly African focus, will play a significant role in achieving this.</p><p>In addition, African researchers have a lot to offer to the world of biomedical sciences, particularly in the field of infectious diseases, where ground-breaking research on SARS-CoV-2, HIV and TB is being conducted. The BMRI will allow significant human capacity development through training some of the best students from the continent and exposing them to extensive national and international research networks to result in a next generation of successful scientists. </p><p><strong>Investing in biomedical science in and for Africa</strong></p><p>Against the background of the many medical breakthroughs that have saved countless lives, SU's investment of R1,2 billion in the BMRI is of huge significance for South Africa and the rest of Africa. </p><p>The more than 500 scientists at the BMRI conduct research which translates into discoveries that help improve the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of illnesses contributing most to morbidity and mortality in South Africa and Africa<em>. </em></p><p>The<em> </em>BMRI consists of several state-of-the-art laboratories, including electron microscopy, proteomics, molecular biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology and FACS laboratories (for fluorescence-activated cell sorting); the largest fully automated biorepository on the African continent; a bioinformatics hub; and a clinical research unit. It also hosts the SUNSkill facility that offers advanced surgical training to local and international specialists.</p><p>The immense value of the BMRI was recognised even before its completion in 2023, and high-profile visitors, including President Cyril Ramaphosa and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, came to view the facility in 2022. </p><p>The facility's potential was endorsed when the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), located in the BMRI, was selected by the WHO as a partner-member of the first Covid mRNA Vaccine Technology Transfer Hub. </p><p><strong>The bicycle and the cyclist</strong></p><p>But back to the cycling metaphor: Just like the bicycle would mean nothing without a willing and able cyclist, the solid foundation that biomedical sciences provide would be nothing without healthcare workers taking it to patients in need. <br></p><p><br></p> |
| FMHS’ Prof Novel Chegou awarded prestigious Royal Society Africa Prize | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9408 | | FMHS’ Prof Novel Chegou awarded prestigious Royal Society Africa Prize | FMHS Marketing & Communications / FGGW Bemarking & Kommunikasie – Tyrone August | <p>Prof Novel Chegou of Stellenbosch University's Department of Biomedical Sciences is this year's winner of the Royal Society Africa Prize, an annual award by the United Kingdom's national science academy which recognises the innovative contribution of an African research scientist.<br></p><p>Chegou, who is based in the Stellenbosch University Immunology Research Group (SU-IRG) of the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, is being honoured for his work in the fields of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB).<br></p><p>“It is a huge honour," says Chegou, who runs one of five independent research laboratories at SU-IRG. “We are passionate about the kind of research we are doing. All we want to do is contribute to developing tools for the control of TB, if we can, and also to train students and publish data."</p><p>He adds: “Awards are not really at the top of your mind, but once you do receive an award like the Royal Society Africa Prize, it feels very good. It sends out a message that somebody out there sees what you are doing, and that they value what you are doing."<br></p><p>Chegou's work certainly deserves to be acknowledged. He has been engaged in research on the immunology of tuberculosis since he embarked on his MSc degree at Stellenbosch University in 2006, which was converted into a PhD.<br></p><p>“Almost all my work is geared towards developing some kind of prototype test for TB," he says. “Some projects are aimed at discovering biomarkers or evaluating biomarkers so they can be put into tools and used to diagnose TB or to monitor the response to TB treatment."<br></p><p>Chegou's research proposal to the Royal Society intends to take this further and plans to focus on biomarkers to diagnose TB meningitis in children. “It's one of the most difficult types of TB to diagnose," he explains.</p><p>“To diagnose it, you really need advanced tools and expensive equipment, which is why children are mostly referred to a tertiary hospital. But, most of the time, they will never be normal again by the time the disease is diagnosed. <br></p><p>“The question is: Can we diagnose TB meningitis easier, using the biomarkers that we have been working with? What we want to do with the award is to continue improving on the tests that we are trying to develop for earlier diagnosis of that disease in children.<br></p><p>“Then the child doesn't have to come to hospital up to six times before the disease is diagnosed. Then you may avoid some of the neurological problems that children develop because of advanced disease caused by diagnostic delay – not because there is no treatment."<br></p><p>Chegou, who is originally from Cameroon and trained as a medical laboratory scientist at the University of Buea, made his mark quite early in his career. He received an award from the South African Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology as the best Honours student in South Africa in the 2005 academic year.</p><p>In 2015, he received the Stellenbosch University Rector's Award for General Performance. He also won the Young Researcher Award at the UNESCO-Merck Africa Research Summit that same year and received the Silver Scientific Achievement Award from the South African Medical Research Council in 2019.</p><p>Yet there is no doubt that the Royal Society Africa Prize is a singular honour. Founded in the 1660s, the Royal Society is the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence and boasts Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking among its elected Fellows.<br></p><p>“I am extremely grateful for the recognition of our work by the Royal Society," says Chegou. He hopes the award will create more awareness of their work, and perhaps lead to new research collaborations and access to other funding opportunities.</p><p>Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society, applauds the work of all those it will honour this year: “On behalf of the Royal Society, I offer my congratulations to the outstanding researchers, individuals and teams whose contributions to our collective scientific endeavour have helped further our understanding of the world around us.<br></p><p>“Science has always been a team game, and I'm proud to see such a wide array of skills and specialisms reflected in this year's medals and awards. I am proud that we can celebrate outstanding scientific contributions in all their forms."<br></p><p></p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V34bmh-0FBc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0"></iframe> </div><p><br><br></p> |
| PredictTB provides a wealth of data enhancing our understanding of TB treatment | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9334 | | PredictTB provides a wealth of data enhancing our understanding of TB treatment | FMHS Marketing & Communications / FGGW Bemarking & Kommunikasie | <p style="text-align:left;">Aiming to advance tuberculosis (TB) treatment standards from the current practice of “one-size-fits-all" to precision-guided individualised therapy, the PredictTB research team led by Prof Gerhard Walzl (Stellenbosch University in South Africa) and Prof Clifton Barry III (US National Institutes of Health) set out in 2017 to investigate a set of criteria enabling improved treatment predictability and identification of patients eligible for treatment shortening. <br></p><p style="text-align:left;">While the current TB standard therapy lasts six months, up to 80% of all TB patients are cured after four months. However, scientists do not know beforehand which patients belong to that group. Hence, gaining a better understanding of individual TB treatment response allowing for more personalised therapies and potentially shortened treatment duration is a critical step towards reducing drug resistance and disease burden in developing countries. </p><p style="text-align:left;"><strong>Extensive data generation paving the way for future relapse-specific TB biomarker discovery</strong></p><p style="text-align:left;">In the past 5 ½ years the PredictTB group, consisting of experts from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States, tested novel, patient-specific radiographic and microbiological biomarkers for early treatment stopping in a large proof-of-concept study in South Africa and China with close to 700 patients. Looking at an innovative combination of positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) scans paired with rapid molecular diagnostic tests, PredictTB has generated a wealth of clinical, imaging, and microbiological data. </p><p style="text-align:left;">“Although the early stopping criteria were shown not to be effective in achieving a safe reduction period of standard TB treatment from six to four months, the PredictTB study provides a wealth of information on PET/CT imaging and it is one of the largest studies ever conducted with PET/CTs on TB treatment with such a long follow-up and well-defined clinical outcomes," summarises Walzl. He continues: “These imaging parameters may help us in the future to fine-tune and optimise early stopping criteria. Plus, this data will also contribute to gaining a better understanding of the factors that lead to failed or curative treatment strategies."</p><p style="text-align:left;">In addition, the study provides a lot of well-characterised patient samples. Together with available samples from other relapse studies, these samples will pave the way for large-scale, relapse-specific biomarker discovery experiments including gene expression, proteomics, and metabolomics measures. These future studies will help design the next generation of candidate biomarkers to be used in clinical trials aiming to streamline the evaluation of new drugs and will also contribute to improved treatment shortening approaches in the future. </p><p style="text-align:left;">The collected PredictTB datasets and samples will be made accessible to the wider research community and external investigators upon request (see further information on the <a href="https://predict-tb.com/sample-data-sharing/">PredictTB website</a>) and after secondary aims of the study have been addressed by the consortium. </p><p style="text-align:left;">Alongside the scientific work plan, PredictTB also engaged in a variety of capacity building and training activities to support knowledge-sharing and create perspectives for emerging African scientists. For instance, these activities included a series of workshops with more than 200 delegates over the past five years, the training of PhD students, the establishment of a mentorship program and personal development plans. In addition, the group launched the PredictTB Learning Board, a tailor-made online platform containing curated material for career and skill development that can be used by mentors and mentees in the PredictTB mentoring scheme and other consortium members involved in capacity building. <br></p><p style="text-align:left;"><em>For further information visit: </em><a href="http://www.predict-tb.com/"><em>www.predict-tb.com</em></a><em>.</em></p><p style="text-align:left;"><em><br></em></p><p style="text-align:left;"><strong><em>Funding Acknowledgement</em></strong></p><em>The PredictTB project received over 20 million EUR funding from the EDCTP, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, the National Institutes of Health, Grand Challenges China, the NIH's International Collaborations in Infectious Disease Research (ICIDR) Program in collaboration with the Consortium for TB Biomarkers and the Regional Prospective Observational Research in Tuberculosis in the Republic of South Africa (RePORT South Africa).</em><div><i><br></i><em></em><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>Photo caption: Prof Gerhard Walzl<br></i><em></em><p style="text-align:left;"><br></p></div></div> |
