by Lorato | May 17, 2023 | Accolades and Achievements, Research, Student Media
Prof Mokwena is the first and only NRF Research Chair at SMU, and her research portfolio hasshone brighter in the past few years. She obtained the MSc (Physiotherapy) from MEDUNSA and later received a scholarship for doctoral studies in the USA, where she obtained the Doctor of Education (Health Education Administration) degree from the University of South Carolina in Columbia. She came back home and was appointed the founding HOD of the Department of Social and Behavioural Health Sciences within the then National School of Public Health.
Her interest in mental health was triggered by an MPH student she supervised, who was screening for postnatal depression in Tshwane. She later developed a proposal in that area and was later awarded a grant by the South African Medical Research Council which she used to expand her research in postnatal depression in various provinces. Towards the end of 2009, nyaope (a concoction of various substances) use was getting the interest of media publications, which caught her attention as well as her interest as a social and behavioural scientist. She was given a small seed grant by the University, which she used to conduct the initial qualitative studies among nyaope users in Ga-Rankuwa, Soshanguve, Nkangala and Mabopane.
As her work was established and her publications in this area increased, she was awarded a 3 year grant for adolescent mental health and substance abuse, which was extended to 6 years, by the South African Medical Research Council. At this time, the two research areas of substance abuse and mental health were coming together as a niche area, which prompted her to put together an NRF Research Chair proposal on substance abuse and population mental health, which was awarded in 2018, thus becoming the first NRF Research Chair at SMU. In 2022 the 5-year prestigious grant was renewed for a further 5 years (2023 to 2027). Prof Mokwena continues to provide research leadership at SMU, as evidenced by collaboration with other researchers and supervision of students within and outside of Public Health. Her collaborations include researchers at UJ, UCT, WSU, UFS and the SAMRC.
In 2022 she co-ordinated a special edition of a journal, and provided leadership in encouraging academics to write and submit publications. “My advice to postgrad students is that they should have a publication in mind even as they develop a proposal. My current doctoral students conduct studies in various focus areas of mental health, including bullying in schools, parental stress of people who are raising children with disabilities, childhood trauma and burden of care of family caregivers of mental health care users”, said Prof Mokwena. Her current major research projects include several clinical studies on the health impact of nyaope, undiagnosed depression and anxiety among groups of people, and a national study to screen for postnatal depression among clinic attendees. She has built a strong research team which she credits with being integral to her research success.
She received 3 research excellence awards from SMU at the end of the 2022 academic year and has now added a C2 rating by the NRF to her recent achievements.
by Lorato | May 9, 2023 | Accolades and Achievements, Research, Student Media
Prof Larry Obi holds a terminal PhD degree in Medical Microbiology, obtained at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria. He has taught in different Universities in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa and served as visiting Professor to the Medical School, Makerere University, Uganda; Medical School, University of Malawi, Malawi and Medical School, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
Throughout his career, he served at all levels of academia: Head of Department of Microbiology in two Nigerian Universities; founding Head of Department of Microbiology, University of Venda; Deputy Dean, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and later Acting Executive Dean, Faculty of Natural, Environmental and Integrated Studies, University of Venda; Director, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of South Africa. He also served as Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs and Research in two South African Universities, Walter Sisulu University and the University of Fort Hare. He, at various times, acted as Vice Chancellor in both Universities.
Prof Obi has supervised several postgraduate students, presented scientific papers at local and international conferences and published extensively in numerous journals with more than 100 publications to his name. He served on the board of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) and the Board of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS). He is a member of the Specialist Committee of the National Research Foundation Rating Panel for Health Sciences, Specialist Committee for the FLAIR International Post-doctoral Fellowship Programme under the aegis of the African Academy of Sciences, Kenya and the Royal Society, United Kingdom. He is also a member of the Membership Advisory Committee (MAC), Health Sciences, Life Sciences and Agricultural Sciences of the Academy of Science of South Africa.
His academic pedigree is further exemplified by being the Principal and Country Investigator of a project on Family Planning in the context of HIV/AIDS, Principal Investigator of the Socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS in South Africa, funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AuSAID), World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee Member on Campylobacters and Campylobacteriosis, among others. Principal Researcher. Pathogenic and Molecular profiles of Aeromonas, Funded by the National Research Foundation, 2008 -2011.
He also worked on numerous projects such as the following:
- Principal Researcher: Key Medico-epidemiological issues in tackling the scourge of HIV/AIDS. Collaborative Project with Tohoku University, Japan, Funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa and the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science. 2009.
- Principal Researcher: Microbiology of Cosmetic and Medicinal Clays. Funded by Walter Sisulu University, 2009.
- Principal Researcher: Antibacterial activities of medicinal plants against selected pathogenic bacteria. Funded by Walter Sisulu University, 2009.
- Co-Principal Researcher: The possible role of Osteopontin and South African Medicinal plants in the management of HIV/AIDS ARV naïve patients and those on HAART. Collaborative Project with Tohoku University, Japan. Funded by the National Research Foundation, South Africa. 2010.
- Principal Researcher: Bactericidal Activities of Honey and propolis against enter pathogenic bacteria isolated from food and water samples in Limpopo and Eastern Cape Provinces. Funded by Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa, 2010.
- Principal Researcher: Molecular landscape, antibiograms and antibacterial activities of selected medicinal plants against some enteric pathogens. Funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) of South Africa, 2010.
- Principal Researcher: National Lotteries Research Grant Award, 2011.
- Principal Researcher: National Research Foundation Research Grant Award on Community Engagement, 2011.
- Principal Researcher: National Research Foundation (NRF) Grant on a Collaborative Project between South Africa and Namibia, 2012-2014.
- Principal Researcher: National Research Foundation (NRF) Grant on Incentives for Rated Researchers 2012-2016.
- Principal Researcher: Competitive Programme for Rated Researchers research Grant, 2015-2017.
- Principal Researcher: Indigenous Knowledge Research Grant, National Research Foundation, 2016-2018.
by Lorato | May 3, 2023 | Accolades and Achievements, Research, Student Media
Prof Mapaseka Seheri has been with SMU for sixteen (16) years serving in the Department of Virology and Research and Innovation Directorate and believes that this has provided her with a broad knowledge in research excellence and impact, teaching and learning, as well as the ability to successfully lead research enterprise and academic groups. “My current role as the Research and Innovation Director is to actively support the DVC Academic and Research in achieving the University Research and Innovation strategic objectives and to accelerate the following; 1) promote strategic collaborations and partnerships; 2)
promote interdisciplinary research and attract external research funding; 3) improve and enhance high quality research output with high impact; 4) promote and strengthen existing and emerging research focus areas; 5) attract postgraduate students and postdoctoral research fellows; 6) increase research capacity, attract and strengthen research teams. I am also the Director of the Diarrhoeal Pathogens Research Unit(DPRU)/WHO Rotavirus Regional Reference Laboratory (WHO RRL)/WHO collaboration Centre.
Prof Seheri’s research focus area addresses childhood diarrhoeal diseases nationally and regionally, prioritising the health of women and children in order to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that would reduce maternal, neonatal and under-five mortality by 50% in the African Region. Diarrhoeal disease and pneumonia remain the leading causes of death in children < 5 years of age in sub-Saharan Africa.
She is a recognised scholar, leader and has extensive experience in molecular virology, disease surveillance systems, molecular epidemiology, interaction between host and virus, viral diversity, genetics and evolution, whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics for rotavirus and norovirus as well as other diarrhoeal pathogens, gut microbiome and metagenomics research, with Google Scholar Citations: 1690, h-index (Google scholar): 24 and Scopus h Index :21. Prof Seheri continued to publish at an international level of excellence in high quality journals and has more than 60 peer – reviewed articles to her name. She was awarded C1 NRF rating and has presented more than 100 papers at scientific conferences both locally and internationally. The research conducted supports the African Rotavirus Surveillance Network, Global Rotavirus Surveillance Network, Global Paediatric Diarrhoeal Surveillance and Global Paediatric Norovirus Surveillance Network.
Prof Seheri has trained, mentored and supervised 35 postgraduate students (PhD, MSc and Hons) and 4 Postdoctoral research fellows, who have successfully completed their studies. In addition, she currently has, 2 PhD, 5 MSc and 2 Hons students registered under her supervision. “I have also served as manuscript reviewer and external examiner for postgraduate students’ dissertations/thesis for various institutions locally and internationally such as; Technical University of Kenya, University of Venda, University of Pretoria, University of KwaZulu-Natal and University of North West, Mafikeng Campus. “As a collaborative effort jointly with WHO and partners, we successfully organised fourteen AFR RSN Inter-Country Training Workshops, and I have trained 42 scientists/ technologists from 29 African countries. I have earned local and international recognition in the field of diarrhoeal diseases and rotavirus, where I have made valuable contribution in the introduction of rotavirus vaccine in the African continent, pioneered the whole genome sequencing in African continent and my proven ability to successfully leading research and academic groups, by hosting the Rotavirus Regional Reference Laboratory – South Africa (RRL – SA), member of the African Rotavirus Surveillance Network and recently leading the Diarrhoeal Diseases and Vaccine Research WHO Collaborating Centre”, she said.
Her current network research collaborations span National, Regional, International Research Institutions, Academic Institutions and Ministries of Health of more than 27 African countries supported by research articles produced. “I am currently serving at the highest level local, national, regional and international structures and received a research fellowship with the University of Ghent, Belgium and a visiting research fellow at Centres for Disease Control and Prevention/National Centre for immunisation and Respiratory Diseases (Atlanta)”, added Prof Seheri.
She was appointed for the 2nd term by the Minister of Health to the National Authority for Containment committee on poliovirus eradication (2021-2025) and a member of various committees at SMU.
by Lorato | May 3, 2023 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Research, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is proud of its seven (7) academics and researchers who have recently been awarded ratings by the National Research Foundation (NRF). The seven are Professor Kebogile Mokwena, Prof H Kluyts, Prof, Mapaseka Seheri, Prof Lawrence Obi, Dr Samantha Govender, Dr M Mkolo and Dr Gauta Matlou. The NRF rating system is a key driver in the NRF’s aim to build a globally competitive science system in South Africa. It is a valuable tool for benchmarking the quality of our researchers against the best in the world. NRF ratings are allocated based on a researcher’s recent research outputs and impact as perceived by international peer reviewers. The rating system encourages researchers to publish high quality outputs in high impact journals/outlets. Rated researchers as supervisors will impart cutting-edge skills to the next generation of researchers.
The Research and Innovation Directorate through the leadership of Prof Mapaseka Seheri provides support to academic researchers throughout the application process which includes but not limited to: Information sessions, step-by-step guide on how to complete the Rating application form and one-on-one meetings with potential applicants.
The rating of individuals is based primarily on the quality and impact of their research outputs over the past eight years, taking into consideration the evaluation made by local and international peers. It identifies researchers who count among the leaders in their fields of expertise and gives recognition to those who constantly produce high quality research outputs. “Several South African universities use the outcomes of the NRF evaluation and rating process to position themselves as research-intensive institutions, while others provide incentives for their staff members to acquire and maintain a rating and give special recognition to top-rated researchers so is SMU”, says SMU Director of Research and Innovation Professor Mapaseka Seheri.
The ratings that are awarded fall within the following categories:
• A – Leading international researchers
• B – Internationally acclaimed researchers
• C – Established researchers
• P – Prestigious Awards
• Y – Promising young researcher
While it is also important to note that NRF provides incentive funding to researchers once they receive their rating, SMU also does provide incentives and acknowledge rated researchers during the Annual Vice Chancellor’s Excellence awards.
Detailed information on NRF Rating can be obtained at: https://www.nrf.ac.za/rating/
For institutional support, guidance and information please visit the Research and Innovation Directorate at 5th Floor Clinical Pathology Building or contact Prof LM Seheri (mapaseka.seheri@smu.ac.za)
by Lorato | Mar 23, 2023 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, SMU Media, Student Media
Professor Nathaniel Mofolo heeded the call in 2017 and enrolled for a professional Doctorate in Business Administration in Higher Education Management offered by the University of Bath in the United Kingdom (UK). The University of Bath has established itself as one of the top 10 UK universities with a reputation for research and teaching excellence.
This was a collaborative partnership with the Nelson Mandela University’s (NMU) Teaching Development Grant funding from the DHET to implement the Future Leaders Initiative programme. The programme aimed to provide high-level development opportunities for professional, administrative, management and support staff involved in leading and managing sections or divisions linked to the academic project in universities. It also aimed at enhancing the general quality of teaching, student learning and success.
Prof Mofolo was part of the second cohort of 27 senior professional staff who started in 2017. The professional Doctorate is an innovative, research-based programme designed to meet the needs of senior professional staff. It is offered on a part-time basis, through a blended mode of delivery, with four 8-day residentials (contact sessions) in the first two years of the programme. The first and last residentials were held at NMU and the other two at the University of Bath. After the two years of course work, a doctoral research study is undertaken. This means that the programme, generally, takes 4 to 8 years to complete. Professor Mofolo completed his Doctorate in 2022; and he is the third to complete in his class. He will be graduating on the 19th July 2023 in the UK.
The title of his thesis was: Evaluation of the implementation and assessment of AfriMEDS physician competency framework in an undergraduate medical programme: A South African mixed- methods case study.
The study focused on the evaluation of the implementation and assessment of milestones achieved in entrenching the AfriMEDS physician competency framework in an under- graduate medical programme in South Africa. The study concluded by showing that a framework, guidelines and benchmarked assessment tools are needed to infuse the AfriMEDS framework to transform an undergraduate medical curriculum. Furthermore, the developed guide- lines, when implemented, will lead to the improvement of the quality of medical students.
SMU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Peter Mbati, on behalf of the university congratulates Prof. Mofolo for this monumental achievement.
The Dean of the School of Medicine at SMU Prof Nathaniel Mofolo attains a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from a UK based University
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Created: 23-03-2023
Updated: 23-03-2023
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by Lorato | Nov 4, 2022 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, SMU Media
Prof Zach Koto, Head of Surgery at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, was recently elected as the President of the Association of Surgeons of South Africa (ASSA). He wants to see ASSA grow to a point where it also mentors young surgeons apart from looking at the affairs of surgeons in the country. Under his capable leadership, he hopes to see the association address many pressing challenges that include amongst others training, inadequate funding for training posts in public hospitals, equipment issues and the disease burden that threaten to overrun surgical programmes across various training platforms. Prof Koto is an ordinary individual who likes to work hard, challenge himself continuously to be a better version of himself. Focus on SMU reporter caught up with him to get insight into his role as the president of the association.
His thoughts on taking up the role of President. “I have previously served in the executive committee as a representative from academic centres as head of the department, I served in various capacities for many years in the association and I think for colleagues to have confidence in me and elect me as president is indeed an honour and privilege. It is an association that organises surgeons across the width and breath of South Africa and does many things in terms of surgical care and training. I am looking forward to working with a very able executive committee under the chairmanship of Prof Paul Goldberg, Secretary Dr Claire Warden, and treasurer, Dr Mbulelo Khenene. I’m looking forward to working and serving as the president of the association,” said Prof Koto.
Prof Zach Koto is the new President of Association on of Surgeons of South Africa (ASSA)
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Created: 04-11-2022
Updated: 04-11-2022
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