Graduate profiles of a selection of individuals who have graduated from HAGH, Training at HAGH, at the University of Venda is presented here. Of note, is the contributions they are making to society in the advancement of science and human capital development. Graduate profiles will be featured from time to time.
Dr Tracy Masebe received training and mentorship on the molecular virology of HIV and viral-host interactions. Her PhD thesis titled “Pharmacogenetic studies in HIV-1 infected patients”, under the supervision of Prof Bessong, investigated the diversity of a variety of host genes associated with the metabolism and transport of antiretrovirals, in a prospective adult cohort recruited from north-eastern South Africa initiating antiretroviral therapy. Generated datasets were published in reputable journals such as Disease Markers and International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Dr Masebe is currently a Senior Lecturer and Chair of Microbiology and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Africa, providing leadership for tuition, research, and community engagement. Her research interest also includes the elucidation of potential anti-infectives from natural sources. She has been involved with the World Health Organization in-country guidance implementation at minimizing risks for facilities collecting, handling, or storing materials potentially infectious for polioviruses in Malawi and Namibia. She looks forward to acquiring skills in research leadership and human capital development.
Professor Ezekiel Green graduated with a PhD from the University of Venda in 2010, in which he investigated the drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, under the supervisor of Prof Larry Obi. He progressed along the rungs from lecturer to Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Microbiology at the University of Fort Hare. In 2017, he was head-hunted to lead the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology at the University of Johannesburg; and promoted to full professorship. Professor Green has supervised many masters and doctoral students. His research interests comprised the prevention of food borne pathogens such as Mycobacterium bovis, metabolomics; and antimicrobial resistance. He has published over sixty peer reviewed articles.
Dr Julius Nwobegahay, an Army Colonel serving with the Cameroon Military Health Service, graduated with a doctorate in Microbiology from the University of Venda in 2012. His thesis investigated levels and diversity of HIV drug resistance in the untreated population in northern South Africa, under the mentorship of Professor Pascal Bessong, Principal Investigator of the AIDS Virus Research Laboratory. Among the key outcomes was data confirming moderate levels of drug resistance in certain populations in Limpopo Province. His work has been cited in the World Health Organization’s report on HIV drug resistance. The skills he acquired at UNIVEN earned him an appointment as the Director of the Cameroon Military Health Research Center. Since the beginning of 2020, he has championed the prevention and control of Covid-19 in the Cameroon military, with a dual role to conduct testing for the military and the general population. This involves resource mobilization, laboratory capacitation, diagnosis, research, education, and collaboration with international military health partners as contribution of the Cameroon Ministry of Defence efforts to the Ministry of Public Health in Covid-19 management. This UNIVEN alumni also still finds time to deliver lectures and supervise graduate students at Universities in Cameron; and serves as an external examiner for masters and doctoral students at Stellenbosch University and the University of Fort Hare. He has authored and co-authored several scientific publications in peer reviewed accredited journals. Now a full Colonel, his work on the management and control of pathogens of human importance, is a testament to the contribution and impact of UNIVEN to the wider community.
Dr Mavhandu-Ramarumo did her MSc studies in UNIVEN, and in 2010 received the DST-TATA Women in Science award, in the Young Scientist category. In 2014, she successfully defended her PhD thesis entitled Studies on HIV-1 subtype C drug susceptibility: Development of a phenotypic drug resistance assay and evaluation of plant-derived compounds; with mentorship from Professors Pascal Bessong and David Rekosh (https://med.virginia.edu/thaler-center/). She is an awardee of a Thuthuka NRF research grant (2017-2023), investigating the impact of undisclosed prior use of ARV in patients starting ARV treatment; and a Self-Initiated Research Award of the South African Medical Research Council (2018-2021), investigating gut microbiota composition under ARV treatment. Additionally, she has received research fellowship awards for work at the J. Craig Venter Institute, Maryland, USA, and at the Myles H. Thaler Center for AIDS and Human Retrovirus Research, Virginia, USA. She has published fifteen peer-reviewed articles on HIV drug resistance and factors impacting the sustainability of antiretrovirals, and mentors MSc and PhD students. She is currently the Scientific Manager of HAGH, and specifically coordinates Covid-19 molecular epidemiology research and Covid-19 testing readiness activities in the AIDS Virus Research Laboratory at UNIVEN. The collaborations and contributions of past graduates adds value to the future graduate profile of individuals currently under mentorship at HAGH.