Q and A

Research for Impact is one of the core strategic themes in SU`s Vision 2020. How does your research relate to that?

Tuberculosis is a global health emergency necessitating the translation of research outputs to have real world impact. My research focuses on the epidemiology of tuberculosis, using innovative approaches to diagnostics and next generation sequencing technologies to better understand the pathogen causing this disease as well as guide the development of new diagnostic tools. All my research is geared towards providing evidence to inform policy and ultimately lessen the burden of the tuberculosis epidemic.

Please give us your impression of the role that research and innovation can play in the betterment of society?

Research is about moving knowledge forward, often in small incremental steps, to lay the foundation for innovative technology to be developed (i.e. vaccines, diagnostics and drugs). Thus, not all research immediately impacts on society but works towards this goal. Research should not only be seen as scientists trying to find a solution to a particular problem but also as the breeding ground for the development of new researchers who will build on the lessons learnt from their mentors, many of who will impact society at different levels (i.e industry, entrepreneurship and academia).

What would you regard as the most important aspects to consider to effectively support researchers?

Research in 2021 is embracing and contributing to the fourth industrial revolution by applying and developing innovation to address key knowledge gaps. This is only possible with infrastructure and financial support. Stellenbosch University and the South African Medical Research Council continue to encourage and support research in my group, however, senior scientists are often overburdened with administrative task which should be the tasks of support staff.

What do you enjoy most about your job and what are the aspects that you find challenging?

There are two things that get me to work each morning: 1) seeing my students develop and succeed; and 2) analysing the results of a new experiment. However, there are also many challenges that keep me awake at night. The most pressing (challenge) is the limited number of academic posts available, and the limited opportunities for academic career progression in South Africa, which often means that I am training PhD graduates and Postdoctoral Fellows for the international market.

What is the biggest piece of advice that you would give early-career researchers?

This is not a 9 to 4 job - it is a passion that you have to love if you want to be successful. Be observant, know your field, think, think, think, and collaborate.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the way we work. What, from your point of view, is the most pertinent change and how will this affect your work in the future?

COVID-19 has turned the world upside down and in doing so has challenged everything that we do. We need to embrace this opportunity to change the way we think and work. We need to use technology to facilitate remote learning, develop new tools, enable technology transfer as well as capacitate laboratory skills through online technique mentoring. COVID-19 has also facilitated a burst of new technologies which now need to be re-engineered to ensure their application in other global pandemics. It is clearly evident that COVID-19 has taken the forefront position in most health systems and on most research agendas which means that other diseases (which also have catastrophic health crises) have been pushed back in priority, and now need urgent attention.

What do you do for fun (apart from research!)

Gardening