Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa (CARMA)
What we do
CARMA's existence will be directly aligned with several institutional, national and international goals. For example, it remains robustly aligned with SU's Vision 2030 to be inclusive, innovative and future-focused in order to advance knowledge in the service of all stakeholders. In addition, it is focused on implementing SU's overarching strategic priorities:
· broadening access
· sustaining excellence
· enhancing social impact
1. High Impact Research
Our collective research focus (Above diagram)
Research highlights
· 157 peer-reviewed publications 2021-2022
· Research largely supported by NRF, SA MRC, NIH, SA Rooibos Council
· Students and staff bestowed with several prestigious awards at various national congresses
· 75 postgraduate students successfully graduated
2. Postgraduate Training
CARMA is invested in training multi-skilled, employable and world class graduate students. In parallel, we adopt a holistic approach to nurture each student's innate talents to be successful, while also focusing on the mental health and wellbeing of our students
3. Nurturing Future-Gen
CARMA is committed to sustainable growth and development of future leaders' leadership, therefore, a unique mentor-mentee scheme was launched where suitably identified future-gen researchers have regular, scheduled one on one sessions to allow mentors to share their successful practices, alert to their past failures, and provide expert advice on career development.
4. Networking and collaboration
CARMA works together with a number of collaborators across the globe and such networks allow for the advancement of our research agenda, student exchanges and staff development.
5. Community outreach
CARMA has several interactions with the broader public, as part of our focus to conduct research with an impact on society. These include projects to take science to previously disadvantaged high schools in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, contributing Op-Eds, various interactions with the public through social media platforms, and regular contributions via radio and TV.
6. World leader
CARMA strives to be a world leader in its field. In agreement, we successfully attract international funding, have several high-profile collaborators, and some of our members play leading roles in various international learned societies and organisations.
