​Two eminent researchers at Stellenbosch University's (SU) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) were recently added to the National Research Foundation's (NRF) prestigious list of A1-rated scientists.

Profs Mark Cotton (Department of Paediatrics and Child Health) and Robin Warren (Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics) obtained A1-ratings during the latest round of NRF-ratings. Warren, who previously had a B2-rating, joins Cotton (who previously had an A2-rating) and Profs Elmi Muller (FMHS Dean) and Simon Schaaf (Department of Paediatrics and Child Health) on the list of A-rated researchers at the FMHS.

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.

Along with Cotton and Warren, a further 15 FMHS researchers were rerated or received new NRF ratings, bringing the FMHS' total number of rated scientists to 97.

The NRF's 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 and eight-year period).

Five researchers were also given a B-rating in the latest round of ratings, bringing the tally of B-rated scientists at the FMHS to 13. B-rated researchers enjoy considerable international recognition by their peers for the high quality and impact of their recent research outputs. The newly selected B-rated scientists at the FMHS are Profs Wayne Derman (Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine), Quinette Louw (Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences), Susan van Schalkwyk (Centre for Health Professions Education), Adrie Bekker (Department of Paediatrics and Child Health), and Novel Chegou (Department of Biomedical Sciences).

The FMHS also boasts 59 C-rated scientists, of which 10 are newly selected. C-rated scientists are established researchers with a sustained recent record of productivity in their respective fields, who are recognised by their peers as having (1) produced a body of quality work, the core of which has coherence and attests to ongoing engagement with the field; and (2) demonstrated the ability to conceptualise problems and apply research methods to investigate them.

The FMHS researchers who joined the ranks of C-rated scientists are Profs Andre van der Merwe (Division of Urology), Rajiv Erasmus (Department of Pathology), Susan Hanekom (Division of Physiotherapy), Franclo Henning (Division of Neurology), Xikombiso Mbhenyane (Division of Human Nutrition), Lana van Niekerk (Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences), Annie Zemlin (Division of Chemical Pathology), and Ekkehard Zöllner (Department of Paediatrics and Child Health), as well as Drs Yolandi Brink (Division of Physiotherapy) and Sharain Suliman (Department of Psychiatry).

In addition to the FMHS' A, B and C-rated scientists, the Faculty also boasts with 18 Y-rated scientists. These are young researchers (40 years or younger), who have held a doctorate or equivalent qualification for less than five years at the time of application, and are recognised as having the potential to establish themselves as researchers within a five-year period after evaluation, based on their performance and productivity of quality research outputs during their doctoral studies and/or early postdoctoral careers.

“We are tremendously proud of our researchers and their achievements, including the large number of newly rated scientists in the Faculty, which includes two new A1-rated researchers. This achievement attests to the world-class research performed at the FMHS. The number of NRF-rated researchers has more than doubled since 2014 (when there were only 37 rated researchers), which is an indication of the significant growth in the research enterprise of the FMHS over the last number of years, and our ability to draw the best scientists in South Africa and the world," said Prof Nico Gey van Pittius, Vice Dean: Research and Internationalisation.

Commenting on the latest results, Dr Therina Theron, Senior Director for Research and Innovation at SU, said the NRF's rating process remains a very important indicator of the international recognition of SU's researchers. “With more in the pipeline, our increasing pool of A-rated researchers attest to the enormous contribution our researchers are making to SU's vision of being Africa's leading research-intensive university. We salute and celebrate them!"

Caption: (Top left to right) Professors Quinette Louw, Mark Cotton and Rob Warren. (Bottom left to right) Professors Adrie Bekker, Wayne Derman, Susan van Schalkwyk and Novel Chegou.