The South African Medical Research Council’s (SAMRC) Research Capacity Development (RCD) Division recently paid a visit to laboratories led by RCD grant holders. These visits form part of the RCD’s ongoing engagement with funded researchers to monitor progress and showcase the impactful research supported under various RCD funding programmes.

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

The RCD team met with Professor Xavier Noundou and his research team from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy. Professor Noundou is a Principal Investigator (PI) funded under the SAMRC Research Capacity Development Initiative (RCDI) since 2024. His research in natural product chemistry focusses on the identification and chemical characterization of bioactive compounds derived from medicinal plants for potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory applications. Professor Noundou’s team comprises five postdoc fellows and postgraduate students.

The SAMRC team visited the Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Laboratories, showcasing state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced analytical techniques, and student-led projects. The team interacted with postgraduate students whose work contributes to bridging African Traditional Medicine (ATM) knowledge with modern pharmaceutical innovation.

Professor Noundou highlighted the importance of the RCDI grant in strengthening his research capacity, expanding student supervision, and fostering collaborations that drive scientific discovery in natural product-based drug development.

Tshwane University of Technology

The RCD team engaged with Professor David Katerere and his research team including postgraduate students and senior researchers in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science. Prof Katerere is a beneficiary in the SAMRC’s Mid-Career Scientist Programme since 2023. During the visit, students presented their projects, which are focused on addressing pressing national and global challenges through approaches that integrate chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and sustainability. Professor Katerere’s team is composed of seven students, postdoc fellows, researchers and assistants.

The projects highlighted included an investigation into the potential of mushroom farming to contribute to food security and health; the development of biodegradable plastics using waste materials from oil extraction; and studies on the medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus, known for its therapeutic properties in cancer and leukemia treatment.

Professor Katerere expressed his appreciation for the SAMRC team’s visit, stating that this engagement was motivating and impactful. He highlighted that the opportunity to showcase his students’ research and demonstrate the progress achieved through SAMRC funding reinforces the tangible value of the support received.

Strengthening Research Capacity Through Collaboration

These visits highlight the significant progress being made by SAMRC-funded researchers at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and Tshwane University of Technology in advancing knowledge, training postgraduate students, and developing sustainable scientific solutions to health challenges. The engagements also reinforced the RCD Division’s commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships with researchers and institutions across South Africa.

For more pictures (click here).

Authors and Contributors : (Ms Fallon Heinrich, Dr Frederic Nduhirabandi, Dr Abeda Dawood).