DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
This is the news blog for the Division of Molecular Biology & Human Genetics and the Division of Immunology
Congratulations to Dr Bih Chendi on her successful application to join the VALIDATE Network as an Associate Member! VALIDATE is a global network of interdisciplinary researchers focused on tackling some of the world’s most challenging infectious diseases—particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These include diseases caused by mycobacteria (like…
We are thrilled to announce that Dr Bih Chendi has been selected for the RePORT International Coordinating Center (TB-RICC) Early-Stage Investigator Fellowship Program under the supervision of Professor Novel Chegou, Head of ChegouLab within the Immunology Research Group at Stellenbosch University. The RePORT International initiative—Regional Prospective Observational Research for Tuberculosis—focuses…
In April and May 2025, the Social Impact Task Team (SITT) proudly hosted two impactful stem cell donor recruitment drives in collaboration with DKMS Africa, furthering our commitment to social outreach and the broader cause of public good. These drives were not just about science—they were about solidarity, humanity, and…
When Carene Ndong Sima, a PhD candidate in the SU Tuberculosis Host Genetics Research Group within the Division of MBHG, was selected for the Female Science Talents Intensive Track 2025, she joined an elite group of 20 “exceptionally talented women” in science from around the globe. Carene’s selection to this…
Dr Sefiyat Odunola Adebiyi (affectionately known as Odun), a recent MSc graduate within the Division of Immunology, is a multi-talented academic whose journey beautifully blends science and creativity. Having originally pursued veterinary studies at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, Odunola made a pivotal transition to the field of human…
Early one Sunday morning in 2024, 26-year-old Leka Mhlophe, a Master’s student within the Animal TB Research Group at the Division of MBHG, woke up to do her laundry, as she usually does. But this Sunday morning would be different. Just as she came back from putting her clothes in…
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and Stellenbosch University (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. Prof…
Join the Rare Disease Genomics Research Group’s online charity art auction to support rare disease patients and their families. Featuring A1 canvas prints by Cumine van Tonder, the registrar in medical genetics, these artworks blend nature and anatomy, reflecting the human body’s connection to the natural world. How to Participate:…
February is Rare Disease Month, and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is marking the occasion with a concert in the Endler Hall on 15 February at 19:00. With over 300 million people worldwide affected by rare diseases—most of them children—your support can make a real difference. Event Highlights: Performances…
Written by Dr Emilyn Costa Conceicao Brazil and South Africa share more than economic ties as members of the BRICS bloc; they also face significant public health challenges as both are included on the World Health Organization’s list of countries with high tuberculosis (TB) burdens. Investing in advanced technologies to…