Mrs. Joritha van Heerden serves as Chief Technologist at SAMRC/PUDAC. She obtained a National Diploma in Laboratory Animal Technology from Technikon RSA and is professionally registered with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC). With over 25 years of professional experience in laboratory animal science and biomedical research technologies, Mrs. van Heerden provides strategic and technical leadership in the management of a large non-human primate and rodent research facility.