Page 153 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26
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P E R FOR M A NC E I N FOR M A T I ON
throughout the disease course, how they influence The unit further enhances capacity development
interpretation, and whether the disease could beyond the research unit and department. These
potentially be reversed. activities include hosting a weekly academic seminar
accredited for continued professional development
Goal 3: Evaluating the relationship (CPD) points and participating in the African Society
between oral dysbiosis, periodontal of Laboratory Medicine writing workshop, where
disease, and systemic inflammation young scientists from across Africa are mentored
This work has demonstrated that simple dental and guided in manuscript writing.
hygiene practices and gum disease prevention The unit has made several significant contributions
can help reduce cardiometabolic traits. Research to communities and society in the area of
continues in collaboration with the UWC Dental cardiovascular disease. To create public awareness,
School and is supported by a SIR grant. This work the research unit regularly publishes articles in The
has led to publications and raised public awareness Conversation and participates in media interviews
through articles published in The Conversation. to ensure that the public can engage with the unit’s
findings. In addition, members of the unit engage
Goal 4: Investigating the impact with surrounding communities and schools to
of environmental factors on ensure meaningful social impact. Examples include
cardiometabolic health hosting a nutrition day at a community school and
This work is ongoing and has the potential to explain participating in a dental hygiene awareness drive.
the causes of the increase in cardiometabolic
disease, as well as identify possible prevention AI in Medical and Health Research
strategies.
The unit has made significant progress in
understanding and implementing big data and
Goal 5: Investigating simple bioinformatic analyses for research on the oral
anthropometric measurements as microbiome. Dr Saarah Davids is leading this effort,
predictors of insulin resistance and the unit has registered as a user on the national
This project has been completed with positive high-performance computer (CHPC). The unit has
results and has been published. The findings have also organised courses offered by Diplomics to train
the potential to make a significant impact in clinics students and young scientists in bioinformatics. As
where glycaemic tests are not readily available. the unit generates increasingly complex genomic
data, these skills will become essential.
Building Capacity Through
Training, Mentorship, and Support ChatGPT and other large language models are
being used in various ways, including helping
During the 2025/2026 year, the extramural unit with the structure of presentations and literature
hosted postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, and reviews. With suitable prompts, they can also
MSc students from diverse backgrounds. The generate diagrams to explain complex concepts.
unit recognises that African women scientists and The university has strict rules regarding the use of
academics remain underrepresented in higher AI in thesis and dissertation writing, and each thesis
education and research. Therefore, a primary is checked with tools such as Turnitin.
goal is to mentor and empower young emerging
researchers in the field of clinical research. By hosting international congresses on point-
of-care testing and cardiometabolic health, the
During 2025/2026, the co-director actively engaged unit is also investigating how artificial intelligence
in the NIH D43 supplementary Fogarty trainee and algorithms can aid in screening and early
programme, which aims to enhance research disease detection. These technologies could
skills among young scientists in South Africa and become valuable tools in encouraging the early
SADC countries. The unit also made a notable diagnosis of non-communicable diseases and
contribution to improving staff qualifications within remain a significant area of ongoing research and
the Department of Biomedical Sciences. development.
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