Wits Health Sciences Honours Celebration 2023

aculty of Health Sciences

2023FACULTY HONOURS

CELEBRATION

“Innovating Healthcare: Embracing Challenges, Enriching Lives"

P R O G R A M

Wednesday, 28 February, 2024 | 17:30

Southern Sun Rosebank

OPENING

Welcome

Introduction

Dean’s Address

Entertainment item: The Muses

AWARD CEREMONY

Research, Innovation & Postgraduate Support Awards

NRF Ratings

Appointments: Prestigious Research Bodies

Research Awards

Teaching & Learning

PVT Awards

Human Resources Awards

Long service

Promotions

Exceptional Service Awards

Special Recognition for Service

VOTE OF THANKS

Research, Innovation & Postgraduate Support Awards

N R F R a t i n g s

NRF RATINGS

The NRF research rating creates an internationally competitive scientific system in South Africa through its grading system. It is an invaluable instrument for comparing researchers' calibre to that of the world's finest. International peer reviewers evaluate a researcher's recent research outputs and impact to determine their NRF grade. The grading system incentivises scholars to publish their best work in highly regarded journals and publications.

The Wits Faculty of Health Sciences has a total of 109 rated researchers; 8 A-ratings, 30 B-ratings, 47 Cratings, and 24 Y-ratings.

A-Rated Researchers

A-rated scientists are researchers who their peers unequivocally recognise as leading international scholars in their field for the high quality and impact of their recent research publications.

Professor Rachel Jewkes* School of Public Health

Professor Shabir Madhi*

Wits The Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics (VIDA) Research Unit

Researchers marked with * are re-evaluated

B-Rated Researchers

B-rated scientists are researchers who enjoy considerable international recognition by their peers for the high quality and impact of their recent research outputs.

Professor Cheryl Cohen*

National Institute For Communicable Diseases (NICD)

Professor Nelesh Govender*

School of Pathology

Professor Collen Masimirembwa -Newly rated

Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience

Professor Anthony Smith -Newly rated

National Institute For Communicable Diseases (NICD)

Professor Francois Venter -Newly rated

Ezintsha Research Centre N R F R a t i n g s

C-Rated Researchers

C-rated scientists are established researchers with a sustained recent record of productivity in the field. They 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 investigating them.

Researchers marked with * are re-evaluated

FR a t i n g s

N R

NRF RATINGS

Dr Corlia Brandt - Newly rated

School of Therapeutic Sciences

Professor Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala - Newly rated School of Public Health

Professor Ejikeme Mbajiorgu- Newly rated

School of Anatomical Sciences

Dr Busisiwe Maseko - Newly rated

School of Anatomical Sciences

Professor Aletta Millen - Newly rated School of Physiology

Dr Daniel Mmereki - Newly rated School of Clinical Medicine

Professor Benita Olivier*

School of Therapeutic Sciences

Dr Dorina Onoya - Newly rated

Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO)

Professor Ronel Roos - Newly rated School of Therapeutic Sciences

Researchers marked with * are re-evaluated

FR a t i n g s

y rated

able Diseases (NICD) archers (aged 40 years doctorate or equivalent years at the time of as having the potential chers within five years

n their performance and h outputs during their - after evaluation.

ed d ed rated ated

A p p o i n t m e n t s : P r e s t i g i o u s R e s e a r c h B o d i e s

APPOINTMENT TO PRESTIGIOUS RESEARCH BODIES

Associate Professor Desiré Brits

Third certified forensic anthropologist in SA, only 5th individual to be certified as a level 1 Forensic Anthropologist by the Forensic Anthropology Society of Europe (FASE).

Professor Laetitia Rispel

Appointed to the International Council of Nurses Advisory Committee

Emeritus Professor Paul Ruff

Appointed as the Chairperson of the Wits Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC)

Associate Professor Deirdre Kruger

Appointed as the Chairperson of the NIHR Global Surgery Unit Clinical Trial Steering Committee for the Global TIGER Trial

Professor Janan Dietrich

Appointed to the Lancet Commission for Strengthening the Use of Epidemiological Modelling of Emerging and Pandemic Infectious Diseases

Professor Judith Bruce

Appointed to the International Nursing Fellowship

A p p o i n t m e n t s : P r e s t i g i o u s R e s e a r c h B o d i e s

APPOINTMENT TO PRESTIGIOUS RESEARCH BODIES

Professor Yahya Choonara

Appointed to the Africa Science Leadership Programme

Personal Professor Angela Woodiwiss

Appointed to the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)

Professor Lisa Du Toit

Appointed to the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)

Professor Stephen Tollman

Appointed to the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)

Professor Daynia Ballot

Appointed to the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)

Professor Michèle Ramsay

Appointed to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Technical Advisory Group

Professor Karen Hofman

Appointed to the WHO Commercial Determinants of Health Committee

Professor Susan ‘Sue’ Goldstein

Appointed to the WHO Commercial Determinants of Health Committee

A p p o i n t m e n t s : P r e s t i g i o u s R e s e a r c h B o d i e s

APPOINTMENT TO PRESTIGIOUS RESEARCH BODIES

Dr Constance Khupe

Appointed as a member of the Mission Circle of the International Transformative Learning Association (ITLA)

Professor Glenda Gray

Appointed to the National Orders Advisory Council

Professor Bavesh Kana

Appointed to the National Advisory Council on Innovation

Dr June Fabian

Appointed as the Director of the newly approved Wits

Donald Gordon Medical Research Institute

Professor Helen Rees

Conferred an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) by Rhodes University in recognition of a distinguished professional career and commitment to improving access to quality healthcare and medicine in South Africa, Africa and beyond;

Appointed as the Chairperson of the Gavi Vaccine Investment Strategy Working Group on Immunisation Platforms;

Appointed as a member of the WHO International Health Regulations Review Committee regarding standing recommendations for mpox and COVID-19;

Appointed as a member of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s AI Ethics Advisory Committee; and

B o d i e s

A p p o i n t m e n t s : P r e s t i g i o u s R e s e a r c h

APPOINTMENT TO PRESTIGIOUS RESEARCH BODIES

Appointed as a member of the African Regional Emergency Preparedness and Response Technical Advisory Committee (EPR-TAG).

h A w a r d s

R e s e a r c

RESEARCH AWARDS

Professor Bavesh Kana

Awarded the South African Medical Research Council

Gold Medal

Professor Wendy Stevens,

Awarded the South African Medical Research Council

Gold Medal

Professor Glenda Gray

Awarded the ASSAf Science-For-Society Gold Medal

Professor Shabir Madhi

Appointed as an honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by King Charles III. He received this recognition for his services to science and public health during a global pandemic.

Professor Stephen Tollman

Received the Harvard Alumni Award of Merit in Public Health

Dr Ann George

Received the Southern African Association of Health Educationalists (SAAHE) Best Publication Award

Dr Anastasia Ugwuanyi

Named in the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Global 100 List

h A w a r d s

R e s e a r c

RESEARCH AWARDS

Professor Miles Markus

Received the Elsdon-Dew Medal of the Parasitological Society of South Africa

Professor Lizette Koekemoer

Received the Women in Vector Control (WiVC)

Excellence Award: Senior Career

Professor Frederick Raal

Named as the Most Highly Cited Researcher by the Web of Science™ for the 4th year running

Dr Ekene Nweke

Received the NRF Research Excellence Award for Early-career/Emerging Researchers

Teaching & Learning Awards

PHILLIPVTOBIASANDCONVOCATIONMEDAL DISTINGUISHEDTEACHERAWARDS

AssociateProfessorVindanaChibabhai

Centre for Health Science Education (CHSE)

Associate Professor Vindana Chibabhai in the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (Wits), and senior Pathologist based at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.

MsMaricaBotha

Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Therapeutic Science

Marica Botha has been a full-time paediatric occupational therapy lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand since June 2018. She obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of Stellenbosch. She started working as a part-time clinical supervisor at WITS in 2009 and decided to do an M.Sc. Occupational therapy. She is currently also a Ph.D. candidate at WITS. Her special interest in Ayers Sensory Integration® and has served on the board of the South African Institute for Sensory Integration since 2009.

DrJeremyNel

Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine

Dr Jeremy Stephen Nel is the Academic Head of Infectious Diseases and Lecturer in the Department of Internal Medicine and the Helen Joseph Hospital. He is involved in the training of Infectious Diseases fellows, Specialist Physicians, Medical Registrars, Medical Officers, Interns, nursing and allied staff, and undergraduate students, including national and international elective students.

Human Resources Awards

r o m o t i o n s

PROMOTIONS

AssociateProfessorChristosProfyris School of Clinical Medicine

Professor Christos Profyris teaches Neurosurgery trainees preparing for their Neurosurgery final examination. He founded, directed and runs a series of Advanced Neurosurgical Cadaveric Workshops based at the Wits Advanced Surgical Skills Lab. He currently heads the Neurosurgery Department at Helen Joseph Hospital.

AssociateProfessorErinHutchinson

School of Anatomical Sciences

Associate Professor Erin Hutchinson is the Head of the Morphological Anatomy Division in the School of Anatomical Sciences. She specialises in Human Anatomy with a particular focus on development and growth. Her research focus is the relationship between morphology and function across the juvenile skeleton and as such is centred around juvenile osteology. Associate Professor Hutchinson serves on the council of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), and as the liaison with the larger International Federation of Anatomical Associations (IFAA).

AssociateProfessorJulithaMolepo

School of Oral Health Sciences

Associate Professor Julitha Molepo teaches Oral Microbiology Dental and Oral Hygiene. Her research areas include investigating the molecular basis of oral cancers and antifungal drug resistance mechanisms. She is a member of the International Association for Dental Research and the Federation of Infectious Diseases Societies of Southern Africa. She has international collaborations with the College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

t i o n s

PROMOTIONS

AssociateProfessorSoorajBaijnath School of Physiology

Associate Professor Baijnath has a multidisciplinary background with a focus on using mass spectrometry to understand disease processes and drug pharmacodynamics. He is an elected member of the South African Young Academy of Science. He was also a recepient of the NRF Research Excellence Award for Next Generation Researchers in 2016, as well as the only African winner of the International Bioanalysis Rising Star Award in 2020.

AssociateProfessorCorliaBrandt School of Therapeutic Sciences

Associate Professor Corlia teaches orthopaedics, sport, musculoskeletal, and pelvic health. Her research focus is on pelvic, sexual and women’s health as related to conservative management, implementation strategies and physical intervention in Africa. Being one of few South African researchers in the described area led to invitations and serving on national and international committees.

AdjunctProfessorVesnaKaric School of Oral Health Sciences

Adjunct Professor Vesna Karic teaches temporomandibular disorder and lasers in dentistry at the Department of Prosthodontics. Her research focuses on the use of lasers, stem cells in the treatment of temporomandibular jointdisorder and translational dentistry and medicine, lasers in dentistry bone and muscle regeneration, with the application of AI and nanobots. She is an executive committee member of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR).

PROMOTIONS

s

AdjunctProfessorYolandaMalele-Kolisa School of Oral Health Sciences

Adjunct Professor Yolanda Malele-Kolisa is the Head of the Community Dentistry Department. Her research area is oral health, health systems and patient-reported outcomes among the children including adolescents. Adjunct Professor Malele-Kolisa is currently the academic editor for the PlosOne accredited journal and a reviewer for 12 journals, both local and external. She leads the collaboration project with Swedish universities, Malmo and Karlstad on various community oral health projects.

AdjunctProfessorChristinaHajinicolaou School of Clinical Medicine

Adjunct Professor Hajinicolaou is the Divisional Head of Paediatric Gastroenterology; Head of Wits Paediatric Gastroenterology Training Complex; and Head of Paediatric Gastroenterology at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH). She has actively participated in research, notably in a project that compared video demonstrations and bedside tutorials for teaching paediatric clinical skills to large groups of medical students in resourceconstrained settings.

AdjunctProfessorTanushaRamdin School of Clinical Medicine

Adjunct Professor Tanusha Ramdin is the Head of the Clinical Unit for Neonatology. She has practised as a specialist neonatologist at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and holds affiliations with national and international bodies. She is a volunteer of the Gift of the Givers, Flying for Life and serves as the secretary on the fundraising committee of the Gauteng Department of Health Paediatrics Departments in Gauteng, and the Wits Paediatric Fund.

PROMOTIONS

AssociateProfessorAndrewGrieve School of Clinical Medicine

Associate Professor Grieve's academic contributions extend to research, with a particular interest in Paediatric surgical hepatobiliary work and minimally invasive surgery in children. He has authored 39 peer-reviewed journal papers and two book chapters. Prof. Grieve serves as a regular guest reviewer for esteemed publications. He contributes significantly to academic discourse. Beyond academia, he has been a dedicated board member of the charitable organisation, Surgeons for Little Lives.

AssociateProfessorNeilWood School of Oral Health Sciences

Associate Professor Wood is the Head of the Department

Oral Medicine and Periodontology and a specialist in this field. He is currently engaged in service delivery, teaching and training, and research activities in the specialized fields of Oral Medicine, Periodontology and Dental Implantology. Associate Professor Wood is also the President of the College of Dentistry of South Africa and has an extensive background in leading in the education sector.

AssociateProfessorJohnDevar School of Clinical Medicine

Associate Professor Devar is a Surgical Gastroenterologist at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. He has authored over 60 research publications. Although his research cover a diverse range of spealities, he takes a particular interest in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and diseases of the Liver, Pancreas, and Biliary system. Furthermore, he is the President of the Hepato-PancreatoBiliary Association of Southern Africa.

PROMOTIONS

AdjunctProfessorSpoponkiKgalamono School of Public Health

Adjunct Professor Kgalamono is a joint appointee the National Laboratory Services and a Senior Lecturer at the School of Public Health. She is presently the Executive Director for the National Institute of Occupational Health and with over 20 years’ occupational health experience under her belt. She has co-authored several peer-reviewed journals and her main area of interest is workplace mental health. Over the years, she has received many awards that attest to high calibre expertise.

EXCEPTIONALSERVICEAWARDS

ForProfessionalandAdministrativeStaff(PAS):

Mr.NoorJardine

Health Sciences Business Management Office (Finance)

Mr. Jardine has demonstrated dedication to service excellence, notably through his strong customer focus, reliability, and innovative improvements in financial processes. He has developed positive relationships across the university, a commitment to work beyond expectations, and a proactive approach to enhancing operational efficiency.

For Academic staff:

Dr Sharon Moeno

Department of Oral Biological Sciences, School of Oral Health Sciences

Dr Moena is in the School of Dental Sciences and is being recognised for her commitment to academic excellence, innovative teaching methods, and leadership in creating a positive, inclusive learning environment. She does this against the backdrop of several challenges facing the school. Her nominator indicates that her dedication extends beyond her formal role, significantly enhancing the school’s quality teaching, learning and research. Her contributions include impactful research, effective mentoring, and strategic leadership.

L o n g S e r v i c e A w a r d s

35YEARSLONGSERVICE

DrCharlesBreckon,

DepartmentofOrthopaedicSurgery-JohannesburgHospital

DrEricBue,

DepartmentofDermatology -HelenJosephHospital

AdjunctProfessorAntoinetteCilliers,

Department of Paediatrics & Child Health - Chris Hani BaragwanathHospital

AssociateProfessorMervynMer,

DepartmentofPulmonology-JohannesburgHospital

DrMichelleDubb,

DepartmentofAnatomicalPathology

DrClaudiaIckinger,

Department of Internal Medicine - Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

DrDengaMakhado,

Department of Dermatology - Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

DrRachelleNossel,

DepartmentofNeurology-ChrisHaniBaragwanathHospital

Mr.DonaldSeboka, SchoolofClinicalMedicine-JohannesburgHospital

L o n g S e r v i c e A w a r d s

DrMargarethaNel, SchoolofClinicalMedicine

MissMosetsanagapeMankabane, SchoolofOralHealthSciences

30YEARSLONGSERVICE

DrDianeLeask,

Department of Paediatrics & Child Health - Johannesburg Hospital

DrCecilLevy,

Department of Paediatrics & Child Health - Johannesburg Hospital

DrAnwerMadhi,

Department of Dermatology - Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

DrMyintTun, DepartmentofGeneralSurgery

DrAftabYounus,

DepartmentofOrthopaedicSurgery-HelenJosephHospital

DrChristianeVonCreytz,

Department of Anaesthesiology - Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

o n g S e r v i c e A w a r d s

Mr. Jacob Mekwa, School of Anatomical Sciences

Associate Professor Richard Brooksbank, School of Physiology

Mrs. Thabitha Magethi, Health Sciences - Faculty Registrar's Office

Mrs. Motlaagana Manchu

School of Clini l M di i

25YEARSLONGSERVICE

DrBridgetArmstrong,

DepartmentofPsychiatry-SterkfonteinHospital

DrAlanCairns,

DepartmentofGeneralSurgery-JohannesburgHospital

ProfessorAmandaKrause, DepartmentofHumanGenetics

DrOupaMakhwanya,

Department of Anaesthesiology - Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

DrMarketaToman,

Departmentof ChemicalPathology

L o n g S e r v i c e A w a r d s

DrCarolynPadoa, DepartmentofChemicalPathology

AssociateProfessorNicolaChristofides, SchoolofPublicHealth

Mrs.IreneJanseVanNoordwyk, SchoolofTherapeuticSciences

ProfessorPeterKamerman, SchoolofPhysiology

Mrs.BronwynMaroun, DepartmentofClinicalMicrobiology&InfectiousDiseases

DrMinakshiJivan, SchoolofClinicalMedicine

Mr.GersonMoeng, SchoolofPublicHealth

Mrs.PatriciaApfel, SchoolofTherapeuticSciences

Mr.SekelaMoremoholo

HealthSciences-BusinessManagementOffice

ProfessorShaneNorris, SchoolofClinicalMedicine

ProfessorShabirMadhi, FacultyofHealthSciences

L o n g S e r v i c e A w a r d s

20YEARSLONGSERVICE

DrMichaelBlackburn,

DepartmentofAnaesthesiology-JohannesburgHospital

DrNicholasCocciuti,

DepartmentofOrthopaedicSurgery-ChrisHaniBaragwanath Hospital

DrBhavnabenGordhan, DST/NRFCentreofExcellenceforBiomedicalTBResearch

DrYasminIbrahim,

DepartmentofAnaesthesiology-JohannesburgHospital

DrMohineeKalan,

DepartmentofAnaesthesiology-JohannesburgHospital

DrThomasKleyenstuber,

DepartmentofAnaesthesiology-CoronationHospital

DrOmphileMekgoe,

Department of Paediatrics & Child Health - Johannesburg Hospital

DrLaeekaMoosa,

DepartmentofDermatology-JohannesburgHospital

DrNooren-NisaMoti-Joosub,

Department of Dermatology - Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

o n g S e r v i c e A w a r d s

DrThubelihleNgubane,

DepartmentofAnaesthesiology-JohannesburgHospital

DrChinakaObidike,

DepartmentofUrology-JohannesburgHospital

DrEricaShaddock,

DepartmentofPulmonology-JohannesburgHospital

DrJitendraSingh,

DepartmentofMaxillo-Facial&OralSurgery

DrReenuThomas,

Department of Paediatrics & Child Health - Johannesburg Hospital

DrLeenaThomas,

DepartmentofCommunityHealth

DrJeanieJennings,

DepartmentofRadiology-Diagnostic-HelenJosephHospital

DrMuhammadHameed,

DepartmentofGeneralSurgery-JohannesburgHospital

DrTessa-MariHoffman,

DepartmentofDermatology-JohannesburgHospital

DrSamuelGyebi,

DepartmentofGeneralSurgery-JohannesburgHospital

DrMphoMogotsi,

DepartmentofPsychiatry-JohannesburgHospital

DrPeterSchoub,

DepartmentofRadiology-Diagnostic-JohannesburgHospital

DrZaheerBayat,

DepartmentofInternalMedicine-HelenJosephHospital

DrNadiaJajbhay,

DepartmentofRadiology-Diagnostic-HelenJosephHospital

DrPatriciaKilian,

DepartmentofAnaesthesiology-JohannesburgHospital

DrNileshLala,

Department of Paediatrics & Child Health - Johannesburg Hospital

DrPraleneMaharaj,

DepartmentofPsychiatry-ChrisHaniBaragwanathHospital

DrGloriaMaimela, WitsReproductiveHealthandHIVInstitute

DrNtombifikileMkhize,

Department of Radiology-Diagnostic - Chris Hani BaragwanathHospital

o n g S e r v i c e A w a r d s

DrDaisyMokwele,

DepartmentofHumanGenetics

DrHizirMukaddam,

DepartmentofAnaesthesiology-JohannesburgHospital

DrRiaanPretorius,

DepartmentofGeneralSurgery-JohannesburgHospital

DrHildegardSteinmann,

DepartmentofAnaesthesiology-HelenJosephHospital

DrLeoraSweidan,

Department of Radiology-Diagnostic - Chris Hani

BaragwanathHospital

MissJohannaErasmus, SchoolofClinicalMedicine

DrMoaazValliOmar,

Department of Radiology-Diagnostic - Chris Hani

BaragwanathHospital

AssociateProfessorShabirMoosa, DepartmentofFamilyMedicine

DrZwelithiniLinda,

DepartmentofOrthopaedicSurgery-ChrisHaniBaragwanath Hospital

DrUhalaUkunda, DepartmentofOrthopaedicSurgery-JohannesburgHospital

L o n g S e r v i c e A w a r d s

AdjunctProfessorEduardOosthuizen,

DepartmentofAnaesthesiology-JohannesburgHospital

Mr.MohammedAlimia, DepartmentofGeneralSurgery-HelenJosephHospital

DrMayaPatel, Department of Radiology-Diagnostic - Chris Hani BaragwanathHospital

DrMarkEagar,

DepartmentofAnaesthesiology-JohannesburgHospital

DrShamilGowan,

Department of Neurological Surgery - Chris Hani

BaragwanathHospital

Mrs.NosiphoLudick, FacultyofHealthSciences

Mr.KleinbooiMohlabi, SchoolofTherapeuticSciences

Mr.GobotsamangMotlhabani, HealthSciencesTeaching&LearningOffice

ProfessorHellenMyezwa, SchoolofTherapeuticSciences

DrCarlaMartins-Furness, SchoolofTherapeuticSciences

L o n g S e r v i c e A w a r d s

Mr.DumsaneMavimbela, SchoolofClinicalMedicine

Mrs.ChristeleenOntong, HealthSciences-FacultyRegistrar'sOffice

ProfessorCliffordOdimegwu, SchoolofPublicHealth

Mr.KoenaMatjila, SchoolofAnatomicalSciences

ProfessorKennedyErlwanger, DepartmentofPhysiology

AdjunctProfessorDemitriConstantinou, SchoolofTherapeuticSciences

Mrs.ElsieNyanga, SchoolofClinicalMedicine

ProfessorMariaPapathanasopoulos, FacultyResearch

DrClementPenny, SchoolofClinicalMedicine

S p e c i a l R e c o g n i t i o n f o r S e r v i c e

SPECIALRECOGNITIONFORSERVICE

ProfessorWendyStevens, 20yearsattheNationalHealthLaboratoryService(NHLS)

ProfessorAdrianoDuse, 33yearsattheNationalHealthLaboratoryService(NHLS)

AdjunctProfessorJaya AdrianoAdriano, 19yearsattheNationalHealthLaboratoryService(NHLS)