Biomedical Research Institute
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

Biomedical Research Institute​​


WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH

Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences has a reputation for research built over decades of diligent and persistent effort. We continue to perform as a leading research-rich environment with extensive international collaborations, in addition to national and local partnerships. A research agenda shaped by strategic research focus areas ensures that our research activities address the major health challenges facing the African continent.

In March 2023,  we affirmed our position as one of the top health science institutions on the African content when no less than three of our own scientists were recognised at the South African Medical Research Council's (SAMRC) Scientific Merit Awards. 

The BMRI hosts several research groups and centres, including the rare disease genomics group, TB host genetics groups, the MRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research, the Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa (CARMA) and the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI). The Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) is a partner-member of the South African mRNA Vaccine Consortium (SAMVAC), selected by the WHO to become the first Covid mRNA Vaccine Technology Transfer Hub in the world.


RESEARCH EXCELLENCE 

As one of Africa's top medical and health sciences institutions, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences has been at the forefront of ground-breaking health sciences research. 

The FMHS is home to 92 National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated researchers and seven South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) research chairs. Our other research chairs include the Sarah Turoff Endowed Chair in Schizophrenia as well as research chairs in Proteomics, Physiotherapy, Cancer Science and Sport and Exercise Medicine. 

We are internationally acclaimed, for among other things, our cutting-edge research on tuberculosis, HIV and neurosciences, and its pioneering work in urology, which saw the world's first successful penis transplant in 2015.

The faculty is home to 15 academic departments, which in turn hosts 18 centres, bureaus and institutes. Its academic offering includes degrees in Dietetics, Medicine and Surgery (MBChB), Nursing and Midwifery, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy. We also offer more than 90 Master's and PhD-level courses. 

With a research agenda shaped strategically by focus areas that addresses the major health challenges facing the African continent, Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences has, over the course of seven decades, built a reputation for research that is widely recognised for its world-class endeavours. 

Decades of persistent and diligent effort in the field of biomedical research catapulted our faculty and the Biomedical Research Institute onto the world stage with the visit of South Africa's president and the World Health Organisation's Director-General in 2022. 

This recognition, from the world's leading authority on the preservation of human health, is a testimony to our commitment to breakthrough scientific discovery that will affect millions of people on the African continent. 

 

VIEW A TIMELINE OF STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY'S FACULTY OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES' BREAKTHROUGHS​

 



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