12TH ANNUAL EARLY CAREER SCIENTIST CONVENTION LEADERSHIP AND ENTREPRENEURIAL CONTRIBUTION IN THE NEXT DECADE SAMRC HEAD OFFICE, CAPE TOWN 17 - 19 OCTOBER 2018 HOSTED BY: RESEARCH CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT (RCD) TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Meet our Executive Head of Research Capacity Development 4 2. Message from Division Manager 5 3. Keynote speakers and facilitators 7 4. RCD Funding Categories 16 5. RCD Programmes 18 6. Abstracts 31 7. List of completed scholars 152 3 MEET OUR EXECUTIVE HEAD OF RESEARCH CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT Jeffrey Mphahlele, PhD Professor Jeffrey Mphahlele, PhD, is Prof Mphahlele is as a member of the the Vice President for Research at the Executive Management Committee of South African Medical Research Council the SAMRC responsible for the Division (SAMRC). He is an elected member of of Research Capacity Development Academy of Science of South Africa (RCD). As such he has a keen interest in (ASSAf) and NRF C1 rated researcher. He the success of the beneficiaries of grants is affiliated to Sefako Makgatho Health and scholarships channeled through Sciences University (formerly MEDUNSA) the Division. Under his leadership, the in Pretoria where he previously served as Division has grown in both vision and an academic for over 20 years in various number of programs. A recent brainchild capacities: Prof Mphahlele’s research of Prof Mphahlele is the Biostatistics interests in prevention and control of human Capacity Development initiative. The viral diseases span a wide range of topics, SAMRC has partnered with the Belgian including viral hepatitis, gastrointestinal Government to help address the scarce viral infections, human papillomaviruses, skills where Biostatistics is concerned in epidemiology of HIV, genomics of South Africa. A few days ago an RFA has infectious diseases and vaccination control been advertised for funding Masters and of infectious diseases. He serves on several PhDs in Biostatistics. It is the vision of governance structures and committees Professor Mphahlele that this is the start including the General Assembly of the of a long fruitful relationship between the European and Developing Countries two countries of South Africa and Belgium Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), Global to develop capacity in the Biostatistics Research Collaboration for Infectious area. Disease Preparedness (GloPID-R) and WHO Scientific Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Polio, Working Group. 4 MESSAGE FROM OUR DIVISION MANAGER Dr Thabi Maitin To say that it is a joy to bring once again funder, the SAMRC through RCD and our all SAMRC funded beneficiaries under partners to use this opportunity to remind one roof is an understatement. Seeing our young scientists how absolutely the actual faces of the next generation proud we are of you, how valued you are of Health and Clinical researchers that by the SAMRC and how crucial it is that South Africa is developing through this you succeed. South Africa needs you to Division and other entities in South African succeed and get your degrees, especially Universities is truly inspiring. the PhDs, and as research has shown, help to change the economy of South Africa. It When the Masters and PhD scholars is a well-documented fact that the number are away at their universities during the of PhDs in a country is one of the indicators course of the year, it is easy to forget just of the success of that country’s economy. how important this mission of capacity development is. It is also easy to lose The financial year of 2017/18 till to date awareness of the urgency of this mandate. has recorded an impressive increase in Thus, an opportunity to meet face to performance by almost all indicators. face at our annual conference with these However, it is the number of 25 graduates bright, young people is very important so in this period, mostly PhDs coming out of that the mandate and its urgency is kept all the post graduate programs that stands fresh in our minds out as something for all parties to pat themselves at the back for. Similarly, the The Early Career Scientist Convention number of publications, briefs and other (ECSC) provides an opportunity to network, research outputs has increased both in share experiences, share successes and quality and number. challenges, and have healthy competition as a generation of upcoming young RCD itself is growing in the number of scientists. Equally, it is important for the staff as funding programs increase in 5 number and complexity. Today we boast and more particularly the abstracts by established partnerships with various scholars for the Convention. I will be hard countries to help us develop capacity in pressed to find a matching replacement. strategic areas such as Vaccinology (with But I thank Jean so profusely for the Switzerland), Biostatistics (with Belgium) to warmth that was felt not just by myself name a few. In terms of staff resource, RCD over the years working with her, but by the is happy to have welcomed Dr Anniza De scholars themselves. Some actually turned Villiers who will be overseeing the writing her into their own personal editors, and of scientific publications of RCD work and Jean smiled all this away…thank you Jean! outputs. That way, South Africa and all other You are always welcome for a coffee in my stakeholders will know what the SAMRC office for as long as I am at SAMRC. is doing to grow the next generation of scientists in health /clinical research, and Lastly, to our Masters, PhDs, Post docs, how SAMRC’s funding portfolio continues Mid-Career Scientists, PIs from the RCDI to be innovative. We have also welcomed (aka HDIs), Vaccinology cohorts, the new Ms Colleen Van Wyk who is assisting with Biostatistician PhDs, National Medical streamlining work flow and processes scholars at UCT& Pretoria, Medical PhDs between the Division Manager’s office and from the special node at Wits- I know all Program administration desks. This is almost all of you by name or other, and invaluable addition to the Division and we I have a soft heart for each of you to be are working towards increasing the staff a the bright stars that you are. SAMRC little more in order to increase efficiency. does not support mediocrity, so you know “if you are on our roll, you rock!!!”. All It is with a heavy heart that I say a very the best for 2019/20. Remember, don’t sad goodbye to Ms Jean Fourie come end chew through your (sometimes imagined) of 2018/19. I have a fairly long experience difficulties alone, my office is always open working in academia, but I have met very to you. few people who have the excellence that I have enjoyed with Jean editing RCD work 6 CONTRIBUTORS KEYNOTE SPEAKERS 1. Prof Nokwanda Pearl Makunga – University of Stellenbosch 2. Mr. Kenneth Mhlongo – Custocare Consultants 3. Mr Zuko Mandlakazi – Project Manager MASTERCLASS CONVENERS Thesis Writing and Presentation Skills 1. Mr. Alfred Thutloa – Head of Communication (SAMRC) 2. Dr Lawrence Mabasa – Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (SAMRC) • Dr Ntevheleni Thovhogi – Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (SAMRC) • Dr Ibrahim Samodien – Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (SAMRC)) • Dr Tarryn Wilmer – Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (SAMRC) 3. Dr Tamara Credo – Cochrane South Africa (SAMRC) SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATIONS SESSION CHAIRS 1. Dr Alison Wiyeh – Seasoned Scientist Cochrane South Africa 2. Dr Jillian Hill – Non-Communicable Research Unit (SAMRC) 3. Dr Nadine Burnhams – Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug Research Unit (SAMRC) 4. Ms Nontuthuzelo Somdyala – Burden of Diseases Research Unit (SAMRC) 5. Ms Shibe Mhlongo – Gender and Health Research Unit (SAMRC) WITH GRATEFUL THANKS… Research Capacity Development (RCD) would like to acknowledge the following colleagues who have been contributing to the work of RCD diligently and selflessly over the years. They are indeed the extended RCD team: SAMRC Portfolio Contribution and Role at RCD Prof Johan Director – Biomedical Research and Chair: RCDs Grants and Scholarships Louw Innovation Platform (BRIP) Selection Committee (MSc/PhD/ Postdoc programmes) Prof Andre Director – Non-Communicable Diseases Chair: RCDs Grants and scholarships Kengne Research Unit (NCDRU) Selection Committee (MD. PhD programme) Dr Shaheen Research Scientist – University of Cape Member: RCDs Grants and Mowla Town (UCT) Scholarships Selection Committee Ms Jean Language Practioner/ Senior Scientist Editor: RCD print and other resources Fourie Ms Sumaya Senior Legal Advisor - SAMRC Advisor: RCD legal matters, processes, Behardien and resources Mr Clive Grants Manager – Grants, Innovation, Member: RCDs Grants and Glass and Product Development Scholarships Selection Committee Ms Business Partner: Project Management Oversight: RCD Financial matters, Noluthando and Accounting Office SAMRC processes, and budgets Sikhutshwa 7 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS and senior management levels for more than a decade in various industries in private and public sectors. Over the years he has amassed valuable governance and strategy skills having served on boards and committees of diverse institutions. Based on his passion for education, he worked part-time for Institutions of Higher learning, MANCOSA tutoring MBA students and UNISA tutoring Business Management, undergraduate students. As a seasoned entrepreneur who owned and managed business entities across BIO-SKETCH business sectors, Kenneth has a passion MR. KENNETH MHLONGO for setting up and supporting emerging businesses in all compliance and Kenneth Mhlongo holds an MBA from optimisation areas. Hence, he founded the North-West University and is currently enrolled for LLB (3rd year) with UNISA. Custocare Consultants to realise his dream. He is the Founder and Managing Director In between, he does a bit of motivational of Custocare Consultants, a Business speaking and is a strong advocate for Consulting firm offering among other the development of sustainable SMMEs things accounting, tax, BEE verification, as he believes they are a solution to business start-ups, financial advisory, the unemployment monster facing our business financing, business advisory and country.