24 March 2026
Country Club Johannesburg: 1 Napier Road, Auckland Park
Time: 17h30
Dress code: Formal
This ceremony recognises achievements for the 2025 academic year.
Opening Welcome
Dean’s Address
Award ceremony
Research and Innovation Awards
Teaching & Learning Awards
Human Resources Awards
Recognition of Vice-Chancellor’s Awards Recipients
Exceptional Service Awards
Vote of Thanks
Researchers marked with * are re-rated
Through its grading system, the NRF research rating creates an internationally competitive scientific system in South Africa. 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 124 rated researchers: 8 A-rated, 31 B-rated, 61 C-rated, 1 P-rated and 23 Y-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 Denise Evans*
Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office
Professor Frances Griffiths
Centre for Health Policy
Professor Johnny Mahlangu*
School of Pathology
Professor Patrick Arbuthnot*
Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit
Professor Yahya Choonara*
School of Therapeutic Sciences
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.
Professor Jacqui Miot
Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office
Professor Judith Bruce*
School of Therapeutic Sciences
Professor Latifat Ibisomi
School of Public Health
Dr Nnabuike Ngene
School of Clinical Medicine
Associate Professor Ruchika Meel
School of Clinical Medicine
Associate Professor Sonti Pilusa
School of Therapeutic Sciences
Dr Tanusha Singh
School of Pathology
Associate Professor Thashree Marimuthu*
School of Therapeutic Sciences
Professor Veronica Ntsiea*
School of Therapeutic Sciences
Dr Nicole Wolter*
School of Pathology
Dr Simone Richardson
Faculty Research Office
Y-rated scientists are early-career researchers (40 years or younger) who have held a doctorate for fewer than five years. They are recognised for their potential to establish themselves as independent researchers within five years, based on the quality and productivity of their doctoral and early postdoctoral work.
Dr Gudani Mukoma
Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit
Dr Makhosazane Nomhle Ndimande-Khoza
Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute
Dr Wenlong Carl Chen
Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience
Dr Sheefa Mirza
School of Clinical Medicine
Professor Collen Masimirembwa
2025 Pioneer Award at the Precision Medicine World Conference for advancing drug discovery and development for African populations.
Alexander von Humboldt Research Award for contributions to the field of pharmacogenetics in African populations and their implications for the safe and effective use of medicines.
Professor Glenda Gray
Forbes Africa Champion of Change 2025
Professor Helen Rees
Dr Lee Jong wook Memorial Prize for 2025, a prestigious World Health Organization Prize.
Professor Kennedy Erlwanger
Awarded the Lifetime Award for long-term contributions to Physiology and the Physiology Society of Southern Africa.
Associate Professor Nasreen Mahomed
Leadership Excellence Award at the South African Health Excellence Award
Dr Niel de Beer
TIA-IPUF Oswald Makunga Innovation Award – Bronze
Associate Professor Pamela Michelow
2025 Maurice Goldblatt Award at the 22nd International Congress of Cytology
Dr Simone Richardson
2025 Royal Society of South Africa(RSSAf) Meiring Naudé Medal
Dr Vivien Chebii
Wellcome Early Career Award
Dr Raylton Chikwati
Faculty Best Publication Research Prize
The Emerging Researcher Award celebrates early-career scholars across the Faculty who demonstrate exceptional promise and excellence in research. The award recognises innovative scholarship and growing research contribution through publications, postgraduate supervision, and competitive grant funding. This award acknowledges their commitment to advancing knowledge and research impact within the University and beyond.
Dr Omoruyi demonstrated outstanding research leadership and impact in 2025 through significant grant success, high quality publications, and dedicated mentorship. He secured major competitive funding, including the National Research Foundation CSUR grant, the African Research Excellence Fund (AREF) Research and Development Fellowship at the University of Sheffield, and the South African Medical Research Council Self Initiated Research Grant, advancing research on brain tumours, neurodegeneration, and therapeutic
Dr Motsamai Khumalo
Dr Khumalo is an emerging researcher in Anaesthesia and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand and a member of PainSA. His research focuses on drug delivery systems for pain management, advancing pharmacological approaches that improve the formulation, delivery, and optimisation of analgesic therapies. By addressing the global burden of acute and chronic pain, his work contributes to the development of more targeted and effective patient centred treatments. In addition, he supervises Master of Medicine candidates in the Department of Anaesthesia, examining the impact of postoperative pain on patient recovery, reflecting his commitment to bridging basic science with clinical practice.
Ms Sanelisiwe Thinasonke Duze
School
of Pathology
Ms Duze joined CMID in 2018 as an Associate Researcher with an MSc and was promoted to Lecturer in 2022, the same
grants, including the Thuthuka Grant, Carnegie Transformation Grant, FALF Grant, and NHLS Trust Funds Grant, and also coordinates the Medical Microbiology Honours programme.
Dr Michael Boachie
School of Public Health
Dr Boachie, a health economist in the PRICELESS unit within the School of Public Health, received the Overall Wits Most Cited Author Award in Elsevier journals for the period January 2024 to June 2025. With five publications in just 18 months, his work has amassed an impressive 2 857 citations, reflecting substantial scholarly impact. During the same period, he contributed significantly to securing two UNICEF grants for PRICELESS: one supporting research on South Africa’s National School Nutrition Programme, and another examining policy approaches to reduce obesity in Namibia and Tanzania.
Dr Gillian Mahumane
Drug Delivery Platform (WADDP), she advances biomaterials and drug delivery systems for next generation therapeutics. Her international standing is evidenced by her election to the Global Young Academy, the CBR/Jeiven Fellowship at the Population Council (Rockefeller University, New York), and competitive awards including the UCL–Wits Public Voices Fellowship and a Carnegie Corporation of New York–funded Diversifying the Academy Enabling Grant. Through high‑impact publications, postgraduate mentorship, and science communication, she represents the next generation of globally competitive South African researchers.
Dr Simone Richardson Research Entity: Antibody Immunity Research Unit
Dr Richardson is a Senior Researcher at AIRU, where she leads a team pioneering the study of antibody Fc effector functions in vaccine mediated protection. Her work lies at the interface of immunology and vaccinology, with a focus on infectious diseases that disproportionately affect African populations, including HIV, congenital cytomegalovirus, RSV,
mentorship and capacity building, serves on the Editorial Board of Frontiers in Immunology, and has previously served on the Executive Council of the South African Immunology Society. Although her scientific work keeps her busy, she remains passionate about science communication, in which she holds a diploma from Stellenbosch University.
Dr Bianca Moffett
School of Public Health
Dr Moffett and her team have been awarded funding from the Wellcome Trust to support the development of “Computerised Adaptive Testing for depression and anxiety amongst adolescents in African populations (AfriCAT-DA).”
Professor Bruce Bassett
Dr Jeremy Nel
Professor Lesley Scott
Professor Wendy Stevens
School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub
Received $1 million in funding from the Nordisk Global Grant for the “IMPACT: AI Powered Optimisation of Empiric Therapy to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance” project.
Professor Gill Nelson
School of Public Health
Awarded a $2.9 million grant to support research on the
Suicidality among Youth in South Africa, Tanzania, and Ghana”. The overall goal of this research project is to generate evidence on suicidality and key “reasons to live” among youth in peri-urban areas of South Africa, Tanzania, and Ghana, and to develop support tools.
Professor Kathleen Kahn
School of Public Health
Received $999,991 funding from the Gates Foundation for a project titled “Syndemic modelling to strengthen and optimise health service integration in Africa.”
Dr Kerrigan McCarthy
Dr Mukhlid Yousif
School of Pathology
Awarded $4.9 million to boost wastewater surveillance research for vaccine preventable diseases.
Professor Marietjie Venter
Emerging Viral Threats, One Health Surveillance and
Professor Penny Moore
Antibody and Immunity Research Unit
Awarded a grant titled “Defining and overcoming the barrier of viral resistance to HIV broadly neutralising antibodies,” funded by the South African Medical Research Council.
Awarded the BRILLIANT 001 grant from the Gates Foundation for an HIV vaccine trial.
Sub-awardee: ENABLE grant awarded to Dr Alfredo Tagarro from Universidad Europea de Madrid for the HIV Virology Laboratory to conduct immunogenicity assays for the proposed paediatric PLWH trials.
Professor Penny Moore
Dr Thandeka Moyo-Gwete
Antibody and Immunity Research Unit
Awarded a grant of $1.3 million titled “African Protein Antigen and Antibody Technology (AFRIPATH)” from the Gates Foundation to establish a facility in Africa that will supply essential reagents to vaccine scientists across the
Protein production (CAPPA) grant from the Gates Foundation. The project supports the needs of African scientists for the production of high-quality protein and monoclonal antibodies that will enable and accelerate vaccine development.
Professor Sinead Delany-Moretlwe
Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute
Awarded a R5.5 million grant for a Mpox seroprevalence study.
Dr Ryan Wagner
Professor Stephen Tollman
Dr Victor Mngomezulu
School of Public Health
Awarded $2.23 million NIH grant, in collaboration with colleagues from Columbia University, for research bringing portable MRI technology to rural South Africa and advancing Alzheimer’s diagnostics and research.
Dr Sylvester Omoruyi
Professor Wendy Stevens
Received a grant of $8.78 million to implement and validate ultra-high throughput PCR testing platforms for SARSCoV-2 and TB diagnostics.
Awarded $2.6 million in funding to integrate laboratory, pharmacy and clinical data to improve linkage to care and quality and continue to offer HIV and TB care in South Africa.
Received $2.1 million in SAMRC emergency relief funding for the Wits RHI Gophelega programme (Striving for Good Health).
Professor Aletta Millen
Professor Sooraj Baijnath
Elected: South African co lead for the Science Communication Work Package within the South Africa-Sweden University Forum (SASUF).
Associate Professor Alisha Wade
Appointed: Clinical Co-Chair of the Research Affairs Core Committee of the Endocrine Society.
Appointed: Board of the International Society of Endocrinology (ISE).
Professor Amadi Ihunwo
Re elected: Councillor of the International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) for a further four year term.
Professor Bavesh Kana
Professor Michèle Ramsay
Appointed: Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa.
Africa for the 2025–2028 term.
Associate Professor Francesc Xavier Gomez-Olive Casas
Elected: The Lancet Regional Health – Africa International Advisory Board.
Professor Helen Rees
Elected: Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences.
Appointed: International Vaccine Institute’s Board of Trustees.
Professor Janan Dietrich
Appointed: World Health Organization’s (WHO) Behavioural Insights Working Group.
Dr Kerry-Ann Singaram
Appointed: Educational Portfolio Committee of the Council, of International Neonatal Nurses (COINN).
Elected: Elected as Chair of the Gauteng branch of the Neonatal Association of Southern Africa (NNASA).
Dr Linette Engelbrecht
Appointed: South African Nurse Lead for the Global Surgery Nursing Collaborative Network.
Mrs Marica Botha
Elected: South African Institute for Sensory Integration (SAISI) representative on the International Council for Education in Ayres Sensory Integration (ICE ASI).
Professor Marietjie Venter
President Elect: World Society of Virology from March 2025 to February 2026.
Chairperson: Southern Africa Society for Virology.
Elected: WHO Technical Advisory Group for Arboviruses of the Global Arbovirus Initiative.
Elected: Scientific Advisory Committee of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC) initiative.
Dr Olwethu Mbakaza
Associate Professor Shelley Schmollgruber
Elected: Editorial Board Member of the International Academic Excellence Awards.
Professor Stephen Tollman
Founding member: Africa Taskforce on Brain Health.
Appointed: Advisory Board for the Egyptian Study of Healthy Ageing (AL SEHA).
Appointed: Advisory Board, Kenyan Longitudinal Study of Healthy Ageing (LOSHAK).
Professor Veronica Ntsiea
Elected: Chairperson of the Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Biokinetics Board of the HPCSA for the 2025–2030 term.
Professor Yahya Choonara
Appointed: WHO Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations.
Inductions: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Professor Shabir Madhi
Professor Fredrick Raal
Professor Raal was recognised for the fifth consecutive year. He was first named in 2019.
South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Awards
Professor Karen Hofman
SAMRC Platinum Lifetime Award. Recognises outstanding scientists who have raised the profile of South African science.
Dr Precious Matsoso
SAMRC President Award for work that “embodies the highest ideals of scientific merit and public service.”
Professor Shane Norris
SAMRC Gold Medal for his seminal contributions that have profoundly impacted the health of people, particularly those residing in developing nations.
Dr Constance Adams
Dr Jarrod Zamparini
Dr Lyle Murray
Dr Vivendra Naidoo
The Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital Internal Medicine Academic Meetings initiative exemplifies educational leadership responding creatively to institutional disruption. After the loss of traditional academic teaching spaces and the broader effects of COVID 19, the team re imagined clinical academic meetings as an accessible hybrid learning community that restored and expanded opportunities for teaching, professional development and scholarly engagement. The project progressed beyond maintaining teaching activities to establishing a sustainable community of practice that broadened participation, improved access across institutions and supported continuous learning for students, trainees and clinicians. Its responsiveness to context, evident
Professor Demitri Constantinou
School of Therapeutic Sciences
Professor Constantinou is a clinician-academic, the Founding Director of the Wits Centre for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine and a registered specialist. A Fellow of both FIMS and ACSM, he also chairs the FIMS Education Commission. His research and supervisory work focus on sports cardiology, anti doping and chronic disease rehabilitation.
Professor Latifat Ibisomi
School of Public Health
Professor Ibisomi leads the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Division at the Wits School of Public Health and oversees WHO/TDR and NIH implementation research grants. Her work focuses on sexual and reproductive health, HIV, and maternal and child health across African populations. She is Co Director of the BAMMISHO HDSS, a member of the TEPHINET Global Accrediting Body, and an adviser to the WHO/TDR competency framework.
at Wits University and the National Health Laboratory Service, and previously guided global TB diagnostic policy at the World Health Organization. A former Director of the NICD Centre for Tuberculosis, he has authored more than 150 scientific publications and continues to drive advances in laboratory systems, capacity building and professional education.
Professor Sooraj Baijnath School of Biomedical Sciences
Professor Baijnath is advancing the use of cutting edge mass spectrometry imaging in Africa to illuminate complex disease processes at a multi omic level. His work enables spatial mapping of biomolecules within tissues, supporting the discovery of new therapeutic and vaccine targets and strengthening precision approaches to disease detection, prevention and treatment.
Associate
Professor Clement Penny
School of Clinical Medicine
Professor Clement Penny is an internationally recognised cellular and molecular cancer biologist with a strong focus on advancing cancer genomics in underrepresented African populations. He has made sustained contributions to high impact research, postgraduate training and ethical governance, bringing together scientific excellence, national leadership and international collaboration.
Associate Professor Admire Chikandiwa
Health Sciences Research and Innovation
Associate Professor Chikandiwa is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and an emerging academic leader committed to improving maternal and reproductive health in South Africa. His research focuses on health systems strengthening, HIV prevention and the effects of climate change on maternal and neonatal outcomes. He has led multidisciplinary studies, mentored trainees and produced policy relevant evidence to improve care in resource constrained settings.
Associate Professor Armorel Diane Van Eyk School of Therapeutic Sciences
Associate Professor Van Eyk is recognised for her scholarly contributions in pharmacology, her leadership of the BHSc Honours programme, and her roles in curriculum development, extensive postgraduate supervision and impactful research in in vitro drug delivery and analytical method development. Her work enhances student development, academic quality and
service, Bhavna Gowan Gordhan is promoted to Associate Professor. She has driven strategic initiatives, strengthened collaborative networks and supported the development of emerging scholars, advancing the Faculty’s mission through visionary leadership, scholarly excellence and unwavering professional integrity.
Associate Professor Busisiwe Maseko
School of Biomedical Sciences
Associate Professor Maseko fosters critical thinking through student centred teaching and curriculum innovation, supporting learners from undergraduate to postgraduate levels across both research and medical disciplines. Her neuroscience scholarship, particularly in autism research, advances scientific understanding and promotes improved quality of life for autistic individuals and their families.
Associate Professor Jenifer Vaughan
School of Pathology
As a haematopathologist at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic
Associate Professor Sharon Moeno
School of Oral Health Sciences
With more than a decade of lecturing experience, Associate Professor Moeno is a dedicated Physical Chemist whose constructivist teaching approach fosters critical thinking and postgraduate success. Her research integrates computational drug design and nanomaterials for targeted delivery, attracting both funding and collaboration. She also provides meaningful institutional service through mentorship, laboratory leadership, interdisciplinary initiatives and transformation focused engagement.
Associate Professor Sibusiso Mkwananzi
Health Sciences Research and Innovation
Associate Professor Mkwananzi is a demographer and Senior Researcher in Climate and Health at Wits RHI, as well as a Commissioner on the National Planning Commission. Her work uses advanced quantitative approaches to investigate the links between climate, health, and population change. She focuses on structural and gender related inequities and examines health outcomes across the life course, generating evidence that informs national and regional policy.
Associate Professor Sonti Pilusa School of
Therapeutic Sciences
Associate Professor Pilusa has established herself as a
productive and influential researcher, holding an NRF C3 rating. Her work centres on designing and implementing service delivery models that integrate rehabilitation to support people with cancer to live well during and beyond their diagnosis. She serves as the CARTA focal person and contributes actively to both faculty and departmental initiatives.
Associate Professor Vernice Peterson School of Biomedical Sciences
Associate Professor Peterson demonstrates academic excellence through transformative teaching, high impact research and dedicated service. Her pioneering cardiovascular research and postgraduate mentorship advance cardiovascular health advocacy. Through curriculum innovation, influential committee work and strategic industry partnerships, she strengthens the discipline and helps shape the future of physiology in South Africa and beyond.
Adjunct Professor Duvern Ramiah
School of Clinical Medicine
Adjunct Professor Ramiah is an internationally recognised radiation oncologist and academic leader who has transformed public sector cancer services through innovation, policy leadership and compassionate care. As Head of Radiation Oncology at Wits, he has advanced equity, research excellence and global collaboration, shaping national cancer strategy while mentoring the next generation of clinician‑scientists.
Adjunct Professor Farzahna Mohamed
School of Clinical Medicine
Adjunct Professor Mohamed is the Acting Clinical Head of Endocrinology at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. A dedicated clinician-scientist and award-winning educator, recognised for her leadership in pioneering lipidology research and advancing cardiometabolic care across Africa. We proudly celebrate her appointment as Adjunct Professor in Internal Medicine.
Adjunct Professor Matty van Niekerk
School of Therapeutic Sciences
Adjunct Professor van Niekerk is a recognised regulatory and ethics expert, and Head of Department at Wits. She brings
18 years of academic experience across two South African universities and 16 years of leadership within the HPCSA. Her work integrates law, human rights and ethics to advance healthcare education, professionalism and occupational therapy regulation in South Africa.
Adjunct Professor Merika Tsitsi
School of Clinical Medicine
Adjunct Professor Tsitsi is the Head of the Department of Internal Medicine at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. His professional interests span infectious diseases, health systems strengthening, palliative care, and medical education. He serves as President of the College of Physicians and contributes to several committees dedicated to advancing medical training and clinical practice.
Adjunct Professor Nnabuike Ngene
School of Clinical Medicine
Adjunct Professor Ngene is a clinical academic with a special interest in pregnancy hypertension and holds an FCOG (SA), a PhD and several additional qualifications. He is an esteemed teacher, editor of case reports in Women’s Health, and an active researcher with an NRF C rating, 80 accredited publications and an h index of 15.
Adjunct Professor Zaheer Bayat
School of Clinical Medicine
Adjunct Professor Bayat has made sustained contributions to academic medicine through clinical teaching, research supervision and health service leadership. He has supervised 13 MMed candidates to completion, and his scholarly output of 44 publications has strengthened evidence based practice, training and service delivery. He continues to shape the field of Endocrinology nationally and across the African continent.
Emeritus Professor Deborah Glencross
School of Pathology
Professor Glencross has served Wits with distinction for nearly four decades as an academic, researcher and leader. A pioneer of affordable laboratory medicine, she developed the PanLeucogated CD4 test, transforming HIV care nationally, strengthening public laboratory services and enabling world first screening programmes. Her innovation, grounded in local health system needs, has saved South Africa billions and improved access to life saving diagnostics.
Emeritus Professor Justus Hofmeyr
School of Clinical Medicine
Emeritus Professor Linda Richter
School of Clinical Medicine
Professor Richter is the Inaugural Director and now Distinguished Professor in the Centre of Excellence in Human Development. She previously headed the Child, Youth and Family Development Programme at the HSRC, has held professorships at three South African universities, and has been a Visiting Scholar at Harvard, Melbourne and Oxford. She also served for three years as Advisor on Vulnerable Children at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Geneva.
40 YEARS SERVICE
Mr Aaron Maduna
School of Clinical Medicine
35 YEARS SERVICE
Ms Alfrieda Sithole
School of Clinical Medicine
Mrs Doreen Ntimba
School of Public Health
Professor Kathleen Kahn
School of Public Health
Mrs Lynne Pritchard
School of Biomedical Sciences
Adjunct Professor Mantoa Mokhachane
School of Clinical Medicine
Professor Mboyo-Di-Tamba Vangu
School of Clinical Medicine
Professor Sandra van Vuuren
School of Therapeutic Sciences
Adjunct Professor Vesna Karic
School of Oral Health Sciences
30 YEARS SERVICE
Professor Ashraf Coovadia
School of Clinical Medicine
Professor Joanne Potterton
School of Therapeutic Sciences
Mrs Junia Mthombeni
School of Clinical Medicine
Mrs Kedibone Kgame
Faculty Office
Ms Lizzie Marole
School of Biomedical Sciences
Mr Phillip Legodi
School of Biomedical Sciences
25 YEARS SERVICE
Mr Eric Liebenberg
School of Pathology
Ms Nompumelelo Damane
School of Therapeutic Sciences
Mr Ramajwe Tseki
School of Clinical Medicine
Associate Professor Abdullah Ely
School of Pathology
Professor Amadi Ihunwo
School of Biomedical Sciences
Professor Bavesh Kana
School of Pathology
Ms Eileen Maleka
Office of Student Success
Mrs Emma Miza
School of Biomedical Sciences
Associate Professor Francesc Xavier Gomez-Olive Casas
School of Public Health
Mrs Hasiena Ali
School of Biomedical Sciences
Ms Jean Johnstone
School of Clinical Medicine
Ms Nogilide Gwangqana
School of Clinical Medicine
Ms Sizzy Ngobeni
School of Public Health
Dr Thabiso Tshabalala
School of Biomedical Sciences
Associate Professor Zane Lombard
School of Clinical Medicine
15 YEARS SERVICE
Professor Aletta Millen
Health Sciences Research and Innovation
Mrs Angeline Mphidiseng Zwane
School of Public Health
Ms Cynthia Kwinika
School of Clinical Medicine
Mr Daigo Shangase
School of Biomedical Sciences
Associate Professor Deirdre Kruger
School of Clinical Medicine
Dr Disebo Maboko
School of Therapeutic Sciences
Mr Floidy Wafawanaka
School of Public Health
Dr Janine White
School of Public Health
Mrs Karuna Bhavanbhai
Faculty Finance Office
Ms Kei Mabokela
School of Clinical Medicine
Ms Lorriane Tlhwaele
School of Clinical Medicine
Mr Martin Botha
School of Clinical Medicine
Mrs Minkie Kente
Faculty Registrar's Office
Mr Moraba Meela
Health Sciences Research and Innovation
Dr Sara Jewett
School of Public Health
Ms Tebogo Monareng
School of Public Health
Mr Tsank Malata
Faculty Office
Dr Vaneshveri Naidoo
School of Therapeutic Sciences
Adjunct Professor Anthony Robertson
School of Clinical Medicine
Dr Chris Frey
School of Clinical Medicine
Associate Professor Clement Penny
School of Clinical Medicine
Mrs Faith Lazarus
Wits Research Institute for Malaria
Associate Professor Julitha Molepo
School of Oral Health Sciences
Professor Laetitia Rispel
School of Public Health
Ms Lizzie Marole
School of Biomedical Sciences
Dr Samuel Agbo
School of Clinical Medicine
Adjunct Professor Sebastian Magobotha
School of Clinical Medicine
Adjunct Professor Shan Naidoo
School of Clinical Medicine
Dr Vinitha Philip-Cherian
School of Clinical Medicine
VC’s Research Award
Professor Bavesh Kana
Professor Kana was a joint awardee in this category, recognised for his pioneering gene-editing research that has accelerated the development of a next generation tuberculosis vaccine now progressing towards clinical trials. His work showcases Wits’ strength in delivering world leading, life saving innovation.
VC’s Academic Citizenship Award: Team
Ms Allison Gilbert
Dr Craig Keyes
Ms Gilbert and Dr Keyes from the School of Pathology were recognised for their partnership with the South African Forensic Medico Legal Laboratories, the Victim Identification Centre of the SAPS, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Their work upholds the highest standards in training and case management, guided by the humanitarian commitment to restore dignity and identity to the deceased.
S i i A d
supervised more than seventy masters and PhD candidates, many of whom have progressed to leadership roles in universities, NGOs, and global organisations including the CDC and UNICEF.
Faculty of Health Sciences Transformation Committee
Faculty of Health Sciences Wellness Committee
The committees distinguished themselves through a series of impactful initiatives. These include removing the age limit on research funding, championing mental health as a core pillar of transformation, and establishing dedicated wellness rooms to support the breastfeeding and lactation needs of staff and students. They also ensured the provision of free sanitary pads for students, led staff anti bullying and anti harassment workshops and training, and provided mentorship and support to staff and students in need.
The winners were announced at the ceremony*
Dr Aadilah Omar
School of Clinical Medicine
Dr Omar is nominated for her exceptional leadership, innovation, and service in conceptualising, developing, and implementing the new MSc in Translational Research. She delivered the programme end‑to‑end, from curriculum design to stakeholder engagement, student recruitment, facilitator coordination, and administrative management. Her strong service ethos ensured a student centred, future focused, interdisciplinary programme that aligns with institutional priorities and strengthens the postgraduate pipeline. Dr Omar demonstrated reliability, accountability, and academic excellence by introducing innovative teaching methods and streamlining processes to enhance the student experience. Her sustained commitment, forward thinking vision, and substantial institutional contribution make her highly deserving of the Service Excellence Award.
for academics and students, and proactively sharing funding opportunities. Her reliability is reflected in her precise management of budgets, grants, procurement, and reporting with minimal supervision. She improves financial systems through innovative workflow enhancements and strengthens governance as Chair of the MMed funding review committee. Her accountability, training of colleagues, and involvement in School initiatives demonstrate her dedication to institutional excellence and community building.
Ms Boitumelo Motlogelwa
Ms Motlogelwa is nominated for her exceptional dedication, professionalism, and outstanding service in managing three student residences in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. She ensures clean, functional, and well prepared accommodation, oversees security, cleaning, maintenance, and Wi Fi services, and consistently resolves problems with initiative and urgency. She goes beyond her duties, including transporting students to water points during shortages and personally preparing facilities when contractors failed to deliver. Her meticulous reporting, asset management, and compliance oversight demonstrate reliability and accountability. Ms Motlogelwa operates independently, maintains high standards, and consistently supports student wellbeing, making her truly deserving of this award.
Ms Johnstone is nominated for her exceptional, sustained service and administrative leadership in the Department of Medicine at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. Over 21 years, she has become the central hub of departmental operations, ensuring the smooth running of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, clinical teaching, examinations, and daily administrative functions. She is highly reliable, consistently meeting deadlines, working beyond hours, and providing exemplary support to students, registrars, consultants, and visiting staff. Her innovations include streamlined digital systems, detailed teaching rosters, OSCE coordination, and a comprehensive clinical guide. Her dedication, institutional knowledge, and problem solving excellence make her an outstanding candidate for this award.
Ms Moerane is nominated for her exceptional technical expertise, outstanding service, and unwavering commitment to the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. In 2025, she played a critical role in ensuring the smooth and safe operation of the microbiology laboratories, supporting all undergraduate and postgraduate practical operations through meticulous preparation, culture maintenance, demonstrations, and troubleshooting. She provides extensive research support,
guiding students through assays and experimental challenges with professionalism and initiative. Highly reliable and proactive, she ensures equipment maintenance, safety compliance, and seamless laboratory operations. Her award winning conference poster and ongoing professional development further demonstrate excellence, making her a truly deserving candidate for the Service Excellence Award.
Mrs Beukes is nominated for her exceptional service, professionalism, and sustained excellence as administrator of the Division of Otorhinolaryngology. Throughout 2025, she demonstrated meticulous attention to detail, strong organisational skills, and proactive problem solving that ensured smooth academic, clinical, and teaching operations. Her ability to anticipate challenges, streamline workflows, and improve communication significantly enhanced departmental efficiency. Widely respected for her reliability, integrity, and supportive approach, she is a trusted first point of contact for staff and students. Her initiative, innovation, and unwavering commitment to high‑quality service have had a meaningful and lasting impact, making her highly deserving of this award.
Dr Shahpar Motakef School of Clinical Medicine
Dr Motakef is nominated for her exceptional leadership,
service, and academic contribution throughout the 2025 academic year. As the Clinical Head of the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Unit at the CMJAH, she provided decisive, stabilising leadership during a challenging year, ensuring continuity of high quality patient care and fostering a cohesive clinical environment. She significantly advanced clinical services by establishing the vestibular clinic, enhancing subspecialty development and registrar training. Her academic commitment is demonstrated through leading the Johannesburg ENT Journal Club, supporting registrars’ exam preparation, examining for the Colleges of Medicine of SA (CMSA), and organising the annual Research Symposium. Her dedication exemplifies outstanding service, excellence, and institutional commitment.
Professional, Administration & Support Staff Category
Ms Jocelyn Gayenga
Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience
Ms Gayenga is nominated for her exceptional leadership, service excellence, and strategic impact as Senior Manager at the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience. In 2025, she led over 20 research grants, supported a team of 50 researchers and students, and strengthened operations through exemplary communication, stakeholder management, and problem solving. She successfully organised major international workshops, secured funding opportunities, and
introduced innovations, including appointing a science communicator and establishing an artist-in-residence. Highly reliable and calm under pressure, she ensures smooth operations, resolves complex institutional challenges, and consistently goes beyond her role to advance the University’s research mission.
Dr Jarrod Zamparini
Dr Zamparini is nominated for his exceptional clinical service, academic leadership, and innovative contributions during 2025. He formalised and expanded the Obstetric Medicine service at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), establishing multidisciplinary clinics that improved access, coordination, and outcomes for high risk pregnant patients. Highly reliable, he fulfils clinical, teaching, and supervisory duties consistently, supporting multiple MMed candidates to completion. His system level innovations, including structured care pathways and contributions to national HIV clinical guidelines, reflect strong accountability and institutional commitment. Through capacity building and sustained mentorship, he has strengthened specialist training and exemplifies excellence worthy of this award.
The winners were announced at the ceremony*
The Akanani Community is nominated for its outstanding contribution to staff wellbeing, professional growth, and institutional excellence at the Wits School of Public Health.
Formed to address disconnection among administrative staff, it created impactful initiatives that strengthened belonging, skills, and confidence. Activities such as the Sip and Paint vision boarding session, Minute Taking Masterclass, REDCap training, and Mandela Day outreach improved teamwork, operational efficiency, and morale. Akanani Community’s innovative, supportive model aligns staff development with institutional goals, resulting in increased participation in postgraduate study, stronger collaboration, and enhanced service delivery. The Community embodies Ubuntu and consistently goes beyond expectations to uplift the School.
outstanding multidisciplinary contribution to public health, policy, and research in 2025. The group demonstrated exceptional service focus through impactful collaborations with UNICEF, the Department of Basic Education, the National Department of Health, and civil society to improve nutrition, food environments, and public health interventions. Their dependability is reflected in international awards, high impact publications, and leadership in research events. They advanced innovation through journal clubs, qualitative research capacity building, and postgraduate training. Their accountability is evident in their leadership roles across School committees and in their contributions to institutional research priorities. Their work significantly advances equitable, evidence based health policy in South Africa.
Professional, Administration & Support Staff Category
Ms Andani Thathani
Ms Claire Joseph
managing complex financial and audit responsibilities, and leading digital and AI driven innovations. They built communication systems from scratch, provided compassionate student support, and delivered high quality events such as the Digital Pathology Hub launch. Their reliability, professionalism, and proactive problem solving have significantly elevated the school’s operations and exemplify true service excellence.
