KRISP Celebrates Academic Excellence: Honouring Our Autumn Graduates

Graduation season is upon us—and at KRISP, we’re proudly celebrating the academic achievements of five exceptional team members who have reached major milestones in their scientific journeys. These graduations represent more than just degrees—they symbolize years of hard work, late nights, collaborative breakthroughs, and an unwavering commitment to scientific excellence. Each graduate brings their unique talents and expertise to the KRISP community, and their success is a testament to the culture of growth and mentorship within the organization.

Their dedication, resilience, and passion for science are truly inspiring. Whether working at the forefront of virology, advancing forensic science, or achieving top honours in microbiology, these individuals are shaping the future of health research in Africa and beyond.

“We are so proud of what our colleagues have accomplished,” said Prof. Tulio de Oliveira, Director of KRISP. “Their success reflects not only their individual brilliance but also KRISP’s commitment to nurturing scientific talent and empowering the next generation of African researchers.” This moment is not just a celebration of academic achievement—it’s a reminder that excellence in science begins with strong foundations, supportive communities, and bold aspirations. These graduates embody the spirit of African innovation and excellence, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will continue to make in the world of science.

From all of us at KRISP and CERI: Well done, graduates! Your future is bright, and we’re honoured to be part of your journey.

Above: Dr. Sureshnee Pillay – PhD in Virology, Kourush Fassihi – MSc in Medical Science (Virology)

Kisharia Dharamdev

Kisharia Dharamdev earned her Master of Philosophy in Biomedical Forensic Science, investigating the effectiveness of human identification methods at Salt River Mortuary under the supervision of Kate Reid. Kourush Fassihi completed his Master of Science in Virology, validating a rapid, targeted sequencing approach for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance, supervised by Prof Tulio de Oliveira and Dr Lavanya Singh.

Anele Londeka Zungu

Hlengiwe Shange

BMedSc Honours in Medical Microbiology (Cum Laude). Hlengiwe Shange research project explored resistance genes in Acinetobacter baumannii from a regional tertiary hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

BMedSc Honours in Medical Microbiology (Cum Laude). Anele Londeka Zungu graduated cum laude with Bachelor of Medical Science Honours in Medical Microbiology. Anele’s thesis focused on the epidemiology of ESKAPE bacteria and new antimicrobial strategies for imipenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Above: Dr. Sureshnee Pillay – PhD in Virology, Kourush Fassihi – MSc in Medical Science (Virology)