Natasha Samsunder

Natasha Samsunder (ND MT, BTech (Quality), MS (MedSc), PhD) is a medical technologist qualified in clinical pathology, with more than 30 years of experience in clinical laboratory leadership and research support. She is CAPRISA's Head of Laboratories, where she provides strategic oversight of laboratory operations, quality systems, and scientific direction. She is responsible for ensuring optimal laboratory performance and maintaining the highest standards of testing across central, site, and collaborating laboratories.

Dr. Samsunder has extensive expertise in establishing, commissioning, and managing research laboratories that support large, multi-site clinical trials. She has contributed to the development and implementation of clinical trial protocols spanning tuberculosis prevention and treatment, HIV prevention, microbicide development, vaccine trials, and sexually transmitted infection research. An experienced laboratory auditor, she supports laboratories in developing and sustaining robust quality management systems aligned with ISO standards and Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) guidelines. She is actively involved in strengthening laboratory systems, capacity building, and regulatory compliance within research networks.

Dr. Samsunder has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and serves as a voting member of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group / International Maternal Paediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Network Laboratory Technologist Committee. Through this role, she collaborates with international laboratory centres and research partners to advance laboratory science and support high-impact research in HIV, TB, and STI prevention and treatment.