Congratulations to our new graduates!
Congratulations to CAPRISA’s staff (3) and fellows (1) who have successfully completed their degrees and will graduate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Dr Rubeshan Perumal, pulmonologist and CAPRISA senior scientist and Research Clinician Dr Sharana Mahomed have obtained PhDs; Fellow Ms Nonsikelelo Ndlela her master’s degree cum laude and Ms Silindile Myeza a post-graduate Diploma in Finance, Banking and Investment Management.
Dr Perumal’s PhD, titled “Optimising the pharmacological treatment of drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis” was supervised by Prof Kogie Naidoo (Deputy Director) and Prof Nesri Padayatchi (Senior Scientist). “Congratulations on a spectacular set of research projects which display an incredible volume of work, a variety of study designs and statistical analysis techniques,” commented an examiner. “This is a very impressive body of work - well structured, comprehensive, detailed and with some valuable results that are likely to have impact in the TB field. I believe the requirements for a PhD have been fulfilled a few times over.”
Dr Mahomed’s PhD, titled “Assessing the safety and pharmacokinetics of the broadly neutralising monoclonal antibodies VRC07-523LS, PGT121 and CAP256V2LS in young women in Africa” was supervised by CAPRISA’s Director, Prof Salim Abdool Karim. An examiner’s comment read: “ Ms. Sharana Mahomed has demonstrated to be a distinguished expert in the fields of broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting HIV-1 and in their evaluation by performing clinical trials. The work is of highest quality and I recommend to accept this exceptional thesis
Ms Nonsikelelo Ndlela, master’s degree in medical microbiology titled: ‘The Impact of Point-of-care Testing and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Bacterial Vaginosis on the Genital Epithelial Barrier Integrity’ was supervised by senior scientist, Professor Lenine Liebenberg. “Her research has contributed significantly to our understanding of the impact of point-of-care treatment for STIs and BV,” said Liebenberg. “We are confident that she will continue to make important contributions to the field."
Pictured here (L-R): Dr Rubeshan Perumal, Dr Sharana Mahomed, Ms Nonsikelelo Ndlela, and Ms Silindile Myeza.