The National Research Foundation (NRF) has recently awarded Professor Rob Warren, Director of the SAMRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research (CTR) with an A1-rating, a grading which confirms him as a leading international scholar in his field.
According to the NRF, an A-rating is awarded to researchers who are unequivocally recognised by their peers as leading international scholars in their field for the high quality and impact of their recent research outputs. While South Africa has about 4 400 rated researchers, only just a little more than 100 are A-rated. Prof Warren previously had a B2-rating which, according to the NRF rating system, meant that he still enjoyed considerable international recognition by his peers for his work.
Also distinguished professor within Stellenbosch University’s Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Prof Warren has spent more than two decades on a mission to understand the dynamics of both drug-susceptible and drug-resistant TB in South Africa. Although there too many to list, some of the highlights of his research journey include demonstrating that there are thousands of different strains of tuberculosis in circulation within the South African epidemic, and that patients can harbour multiple strains.
An eminent researcher, his research has contributed immensely to the TB body of work, leading to numerous landmark publications in internationally peer reviewed journals in the fields of molecular epidemiology, drug resistance and bacterial evolution. A TB crusader whose work has provided new understanding of the epidemic, Prof Warren is also known for continually challenging assumptions related to TB.
On COVID-19, Prof Warren together with members of his research group and collaborators from the Faculty of Engineering have developed the innovative idea of using cough sound classification – initially intended for TB diagnosis – to develop a SARS-CoV-2 cough classification algorithm. They applied machine learning to smartphone recordings of coughs of people with known SARS-CoV-2 test results, and the resulting algorithm was able to detect a SARS-CoV-2 cough with >93% accuracy. This algorithm will now be built into a smartphone app that can be used as a screening tool. He is also leading a molecular epidemiological investigation on how SARS-CoV2 has influenced the diagnosis and treatment of rifampicin resistant TB to establish whether the lockdown periods have exacerbated transmission of this deadly form of disease. In addition, he is using next generation sequencing methods to determine whether periods of lost to follow-up have given the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis the opportunity to gain additional resistance to new and repurposed anti-TB drugs, thereby impacting treatment options and outcomes.
Speaking about the new rating, Prof Warren said, “being recognized is great but I acknowledge that research cannot be done in isolation and thus the A1-rating is a reflection of working in collaboration to achieve international recognition.”
Professor Liesl Zühlke, SAMRC Vice-President for Extramural Research and Internal Portfolio congratulated him on behalf of the EMC and the entire SAMRC, saying that achieving an NRF-A1 is indicative of reaching the pinnacle of research excellence in South Africa and of recognition as a global leader in science. “We are exceptionally proud of Prof Warren and the acknowledgment of the outstanding contribution he has made to science, to the academic project and to students and staff in his field of work, is truly well-deserved.”
Prof Zühlke added that moreover his substantial contribution within the SAMRC and his linked University; his knowledge and research translation efforts and the ongoing impact at community and advocacy level, is particularly recognisable.
Committed to capacity development, Prof Warren has agreed to share important tips and advice to scientists setting out on their NRF rating journeys.