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Health Sciences
in 2012 include a study elucidating the impact of HIV on
the natural history of HPV genital infection; the finding
that symptomatic vaginal discharge is a poor predictor
of sexually transmitted infections and genital track
inflammation; that genital tract inflammation during early
HIV-1 infection predicts higher plasma viral load set-point
in women; elucidation of the role of HIV-1 cytotoxic T-cell
escape on viral replicative fitness and disease progression;
and identification of mechanism of creating an HIV-1
broadly cross-neutralizing neutralizing epitope through
immune escape. Research is largely performed within the
Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine.
The Virology Diagnostic Laboratory falls within the
National Health Laboratory Service, and is located at
Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH). It provides a comprehensive
service to both GSH and Red Cross Children’s Hospital,
and serves as a regional reference centre providing a
clinical and diagnostic service to local teaching hospitals
and surrounding public health clinics. The Diagnostic
Laboratory is SANAS accreditation. Two viral outbreaks
were investigated over the past year, one caused by
influenza A virus in the Red Cross hospital ICU and a
second due to respiratory syncytial virus infection.
The division contributes to undergraduate teaching and
plays a major role in postgraduate training, and in 2012
hosted 43 postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
Special awards / honours /
promotions
Jo-Ann Passmore was promoted to Associate Professor.
Carolyn Williamson became a member of the Academy of
Sciences, South Africa
Carolyn Williamson become a member of Royal Society of
South Africa
Narjis Thawer was awarded a DST fellowship for 2012
South African Women in Science awards
The following students graduates
Roman Ntale was awarded his PhD
Distinguished visitors
Mark Brockman from Simon Frasier University, Canada
Suresh Boppana and Dr Cecilia Hutto from the University of
Alabama, Birmingham
Mike Cherry from the University of Stellenbosch had his
sabbatical in the division
Bert Jacobs was a visiting Fulbright specialist from the
Biodesign Institute at the Arizona State University.
Lyle McKinnon from the University of Toronto and Kenyan
AIDS Control Project, University of Nairobi
Saggie Pillay, CEO of NHLS
John Wherry from the NIH, USA
Bruce Walker from the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and
Harvard, USA.
Divisional Statistics
Permanent and Long-term Contract Staff
Professors
3
Academic
13
Research and Technical Support Staff
15
Administrative and Clerical Staff
3
Total
34
Honorary Staff
Honorary Senior Lecturer
1
Honorary Research Associate
1
Students
MMed
3
Postdoctoral
8
Doctoral
14
Master’s
15
Honours
3
Undergraduate (semesters 3-5)
407
Research Staff and Fields
Emeritus Professor
Professor Keith Dumbell
Academic Staff
Professor Carolyn Williamson (UCT/NHLS)
HIV-1 pathogenesis and prevention; Head of Division.
Dr Diana Hardie (NHLS/UCT)
Molecular biology of Hepatitis B Virus – Head Diagnostic
Virology Laboratory.
Professor Anna-Lise Williamson (NHLS/UCT) –
South African Research Chair
Human Papillomavirus; HIV-1 vaccine development.
Associate Professor Jo-Ann Passmore
(NHLS/UCT)
HIV/HPV Immunology.