Page 164 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

of Medical Genetics. Dr Womersley was appointed to participate in the Wellcome Genome Campus
Co-Chair The International Society of Traumatic Stress and Sanger Institute Advanced Course in Genetic
Studies (ISTSS). Analysis of Population-based Association Studies in
the United Kingdom, as one of only 30 participants
In the recent SAMRC Scientific Merit awards, five across the globe.
current and past RCD Grant holders won the SAMRC
Career awards, showcasing their expertise and their Professor Mkolo’s journey has been marked by
national competitiveness. Two bronze awards were significant strides in her research area, along with
won by Professor Olanrewaju Oladimeji: former her oversight of post-doctoral researchers, MSc
Research Capacity Development Initiative grant students, and PhD students at Sefako Makgatho
holder, Head of Research and Doctoral Programmes, Health Sciences University (SMU). Her journey has
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences; and Associate been greatly influenced by RCD grant funding
Professor Shahida Moosa: current Early Investigators through the Research Capacity Development
Programme beneficiary, Head of Medical Genetics Initiative (RCDI) Programme. She has not only
accelerated her research journey but also propelled
at Tygerberg Hospital. One silver award was won herself to the position of Associate Professor at SMU.
by Professor David Katerere: current Mid-career "I have been tremendously privileged to receive
scientist programme beneficiary, Professor of SAMRC funding, which has been instrumental in
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tshwane University of advancing my research training and accelerating
Technology. Two gold awards were won by Professor my journey towards becoming an established
Alan Gilbert Christoffels: former Mid-career scientist researcher," Professor Mkolo shares.
programme beneficiary, Professor of Bioinformatics
at the University of the Western Cape and Director Tuberculosis (TB) research and unwavering
of the South African National Bioinformatics Institute commitment to medical science have led Professor
and the SAMRC Bioinformatics Research Unit based Traore to accomplish remarkable achievements
at UWC; and Professor Pascal Obong Bessong: at the University of Venda. Her journey with the
SAMRC began in October 2020 when she became
Professor in Microbiology and Global Health at a beneficiary of RCDI grant. This has propelled her
the University of Venda and founding Director of research career and led to her recent promotion
the SAMRC-UNIVEN Antimicrobial Resistance and to full professorship. Her C3 rating by the National
Global Health Research Unit. Research Foundation (NRF) highlights her significant
contributions to her field and positions her as an
Celebrating Women’s Excellence in the influential member of the academic community.
SAMRC Research Capacity Development
Programmes Professor Maswime, a grant beneficiary under the
Mid-Career Scientist Programme, is the head of the
The RCD showcased recent achievements of four
exceptional women: Dr Jacomina du Plessis (Bongani Global Surgery Division at the University of Cape
Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme), Town. Her passion and innovative thinking have led to
Associate Professor Monate Nqobile Mkolo and the development of a comprehensive Global Surgery
Professor Afsatou Traore (Research Capacity curriculum at the university. Under her guidance, the
Development initiative at selected Historically division has produced graduates, published influential
Disadvantaged Institutions), and Professor Salome research, and established impactful partnerships
Maswime (Mid-Career scientist Programme). These across African countries. Furthermore, as a result
accomplished women demonstrate the impact of of the Mid-Career Scientist grant funding, she has
contributed to several peer-reviewed publications in
SAMRC’s ongoing research capacity development the last five years. Professor Maswime's outstanding
funding models and its commitment to the contributions to the field earned her a recent
advancement of women scientists.
promotion to full professor in 2022, and the prestigious
Dr Jacomina du Plessis has recently graduated with National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)
a PhD in Dietetics from North-West University and SAMRC Clinician Scientist Award for 2023. Professor
is one of the few dieticians funded by RCD. The Maswime, added, "Through the SAMRC's support,
scholarship has enabled her to explore numerous I've been able to lead my research independently and
academic opportunities, including being able to develop my chosen area of interest."

162 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24