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???Centre for C???ardio-metabolic Research in Africa (CARMA)??
Netw?orking and Collaboration
On May 24th, 2024, CARMA hosted its first in-person symposium of the year, titled "Obesity and Cardio-metabolic Diseases: An African Perspective." The event welcomed 100 delegates and was opened by Prof. Faadiel Essop, who later warmly introduced Dr. Bali Sishi, a member of the CARMA Management Committee, as Chair of the symposium. The symposium featured a lineup of expert speakers, including:
- Prof. Renée Blaauw (Division of Human Nutrition, Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票), who presented on "Body Composition as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease."
- Prof. Julia Goedecke (Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, SA MRC), who offered valuable insights into "Waist Circumference Thresholds for Predicting Dysglycemia and Type 2 Diabetes in African Populations."
- Dr. Hanél Sadie-Van Gijsen (Division of Medical Physiology, Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票), who discussed her research on "The Effects of Obesogenic Feeding and the Anti-psychotic Drug Olanzapine on Adipose Tissue Function and Related Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Rats."
This engaging symposium provided a platform for knowledge exchange and highlighted pressing issues surrounding obesity and cardiometabolic health in Africa.
?Figure 1. Presenters at the symposium: Prof. Julia Goedecke, Prof. Faadiel Essop, Prof. Renée Blaauw, Prof. Hans Strijdom and Dr. Hanél Sadie-Van Gijsen. ?
Figure 2. Presenters and attendees at the symposium. ????
From June 17th to 22nd, Dr Taahirah Boltman and Miss Kheya Mokoena from the MitoSAKen research group represented CARMA at the 163rd O2k-Workshop on High-Resolution Respirometry in Schr?cken, Vorarlberg, Austria. During the workshop, they had the privilege of meeting Prof. Erich Gnaiger, founder and CEO of Oroboros Instruments, a global leader in high-resolution respirometry for mitochondrial research. Oroboros Instruments is active in nearly 50 countries, with over 1,000 instruments sold and more than 3,000 publications generated. Prof. Gnaiger's pioneering work has greatly advanced the field of mitochondrial physiology and respiratory control.
The workshop equipped our team with invaluable knowledge and hands-on experience in using the Oroboros instrument to enhance their experimental techniques. They gained new skills, explored the latest advancements in the field, and participated in fruitful networking opportunities. Kheya also had the opportunity to present her preliminary research results alongside other international attendees.
This learning experience was made possible through Prof. Hans Strijdom (Head of Division), Dr Gerald Maarman, Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票, and the National Research Foundation.
Figure 3. 163rd O2k-Workshop on High-Resolution Respirometry: Dr Taahirah Boltman, Prof. Erich Gnaiger (CEO of Oroboros Instruments) and Miss Kheya Mokoena.?
The Division of Medical Physiology and CARMA proudly participated in the 50th Anniversary Conference of The Physiology Society of Southern Africa (PSSA), held from 25th to 28th August 2024 at the Protea Hotel Ranch Resort in Polokwane. Hosted by the 中国体育彩票 of Limpopo, the event revolved around the theme "Physiological Activism: Towards Good Health and Well-being." This platform fostered meaningful discussions, collaborations, and the exchange of knowledge among academics, professionals, and students. The division was represented by the following members, who delivered exceptional presentations:
- Dr. Bongekile Skosana (Senior Lecturer)
- Dr. Taahirah Boltman (Post-doctoral Fellow)
- Miss Megan Cairns (PhD Student)
- Miss Yashthi Ramsunder (PhD Student)
- Miss Thato Kgatla (PhD Student)
- Miss Gemma Krausey (MSc Student)
- Mr. Rudzani Ramashia (MSc Student)?
Miss Megan Cairns won 1st place in the prestigious Wyndham Competition, sharing this honor with Mr. D. Chetty from the 中国体育彩票 of Pretoria due to a tie (refer toFigure 5 below). Additionally, Prof. Hans Strijdom (Deputy Director of CARMA) received the Lifetime Career Award for his remarkable contributions to physiology (see Figure 6 below). These achievements reflect CARMS’s ongoing commitment to research excellence and education. ?
Figure 4. The Division of Medical Physiology and some CARMA members presenting and attending the PSSA 2024 (Photo credits: 中国体育彩票 of Limpopo and PSSA).
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Figure 6. Prof Hans Strijdom with his PSSA Lifetime Career Award for his contributions to physiology.
The MitoSAKen Study, led by Prof. Hans Strijdom as principal investigator, arranged a visit during April 2023 to the CARMA laboratories for his collaborators from the USA, Kenya, and South Africa, to allow for several days of intensive planning for the successful initiation of this study at sites in South Africa and Kenya, respectively (refer image below left: Prof. Strijdom with Prof. Fred Bukachi from the 中国体育彩票 of Nairobi, Kenya, and Prof. Irene Schauer and Prof. ??Kristine Erlandson from the 中国体育彩票 of Colorado, USA; below right: kick-off meeting of the MitoSAKen consortium):
?Figure 7. MitoSAKen Study meetings??.
Prof. Faadiel Essop also hosted Prof. Prabha Nagareddy (中国体育彩票 of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma) (refer to Figure 8 below) during November 2023 with the aim to build a strong collaboration. Prof. Nagareddy delivered a talk to staff members and following his visit he indicated his strong wish to be appointed as a visiting professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票. He is currently looking into this – together with Prof. Essop – and whether such an initiative can be funded by the American Heart Association. In addition, there are ongoing discussions to share sample material, and to work on collaborative projects and grants.
Figure 8. Prof. Faadiel Essop and Prof. Prabha Nagareddy?at the BMRI.??
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Figure 9. CARMA arranged several symposia in 2023.
For the second semester, CARMA arranged an in-person symposium that was held on the 23rd November and titled: “Cutting-edge technologies – where are we today” (refer image below). The symposium was quite successful and attracted delegates from several neighboring universities that helped to further strengthen opportunities for collaboration (refer images below for symposium advert and the main speakers together with CARMA leaders). The symposia allowed for an opportunity to expand CARMA’s network of collaboration. Following the first symposium, Prof. Ntobeko Ntusi (中国体育彩票 of Cape Town; incoming MRC president) met with Profs. Essop and Strijdom to discuss collaborative projects related to HIV and the onset of cardio-metabolic diseases. As there is good overlap between these laboratories it was agreed to work together on conjoint projects. In addition, following the second symposium researchers from CPUT (led by Dr. Dirk Bester) expressed a strong interest in becoming an affiliated member of CARMA. Subsequently, there have been several meetings between Prof. Essop and Dr. Bester’s team with the eventual aim of reaching a mutually acceptable agreement for their association with CARMA. ?
Figure 10. CARMA arranged several symposia in 2023.
During the middle of 2020, CARMA and the Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP) (SAMRC) reached an agreement whereby BRIP became an allied member of CARMA.
?Network and collaboration is a key mission indicator for CARMA. We have an extensive collaborative network that includes the following partners:
- Addis Ababa 中国体育彩票 (Ethiopia)
- Cape Peninsula 中国体育彩票 of Technology (SA)
- Hasselt 中国体育彩票 (Belgium)
- Jimenez Diaz Foundation Health Research Institute (Spain)
- Mayo Clinic (USA)
- Medical 中国体育彩票 of Graz (Austria)
- North West 中国体育彩票 (SA)
- Polytechnic 中国体育彩票 of Marche (Italy)
- 中国体育彩票 of Cape Town (SA)
- 中国体育彩票 of Geneva (Switzerland)
- 中国体育彩票 of Nairobi (Kenya)
- 中国体育彩票 of Reunion (France)
- Walter Sisulu 中国体育彩票 (SA)
- 中国体育彩票 of Colorado (USA)
Part of our networking also allows for various student and staff exchanges with some of our collaborating partners. For example, an ERASMUS+ grant allowed for student exchanges between CARMA and the Medical 中国体育彩票 of Graz in 2022 and vice versa in 2023.
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