Page 95 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

P E R FOR M A NC E I N FOR M A T I ON

Building Capacity Through postgraduate students, of whom 65% are female, and
Training, Mentorship, and Support 47% are Black. The Unit’s mentorship model enables
progression from trainee to independent researcher
The Unit has implemented a structured and and future scientific leader. Mentorship spans
sustained capacity development approach aimed clinical, laboratory, epidemiological, and analytical
at strengthening the research workforce and the disciplines, ensuring that capacity development
broader health system, with a strong focus on reflects the complexity and multidisciplinary nature
equity, inclusion, and sustainability. Central to this of HIV-TB research.
approach is the development of Black African female
researchers and individuals from underprivileged The Unit also invested in targeted professional
backgrounds, recognising this as both an equity development initiatives, including training in
imperative and a critical component of sustainable research ethics, good clinical practice, advanced TB
scientific advancement in sub-Saharan Africa. diagnostics, clinical management, data science, AI
governance, and clinical decision-making for drug-
During the reporting period, the Unit supported resistant TB. These initiatives strengthen technical
postgraduate trainees and postdoctoral fellows expertise, reinforce ethical research conduct, and
through SAMRC and partner-funded multidisciplinary support improved service delivery in resource-
research programmes. This included support for constrained settings.

Prof Kogie Naidoo at the SA HIV Clinicians Society Conference 2025.

Springfield Clinic Research Site.

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