?
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 (SU) are pleased to announce the appointment of Associate Professor Mohlopheni Jackson Marakalala as Unit Director of the SU/SAMRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research (CTR), housed within SU's Department of Biomedical Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Marakalala, currently a Wellcome Trust International Fellow and Faculty member at Africa Health Research Institute and professor at 中国体育彩票 College London, will assume his new role on 1 March 2025. He succeeds Prof Robin Warren, who concluded his tenure as CTR Unit Director in 2024.
The CTR is dedicated to conducting cutting-edge research to enhance the understanding of tuberculosis (TB), develop rapid diagnostic tools, and cultivate the next generation of researchers in the ongoing fight against TB.
Marakalala's research focuses primarily on infectious diseases, particularly the immunopathogenesis of TB, with the goal of developing host-directed therapies that target mediators of lung damage. His research also explores the mechanisms employed by mycobacteria to evade various components of the immune system.
Prof Liesl Zühlke, SAMRC Vice President: Extramural Research and Internal Portfolio, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment: “I look forward to working with Prof Marakalala as he nurtures and develops talent within the unit, and forges new partnerships that strengthen the SAMRC through alignment with our strategic goals."
With a PhD in Chemical Pathology, Marakalala has established himself as a prominent researcher in infectious diseases. His career includes affiliations with the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine at UCT and Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health (USA). His outstanding contributions to the field have earned him numerous accolades, including the 'Rising Star' award at the 2019 Grand Challenges meeting, National Research Foundation Emerging Research Excellence Awards, and the SAMRC Scientific Merit Award. He has published extensively in prestigious high-impact journals and has mentored numerous early-career scientists.
Prof Nico Gey van Pittius, Vice Dean: Research and Internationalisation at SU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Prof Marakalala to our exceptional research team. His extensive international experience in infectious diseases, particularly TB, makes him ideally suited to lead the FMHS's world-class TB research efforts. Combined with SU's Biomedical Research Institute's state-of-the-art facilities, and the strong longstanding partnership between SU and the SAMRC, we anticipate groundbreaking research from his unit."
