College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
Unisan honoured for excellence in biomedical science and research
The College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at Unisa takes pride in celebrating Prof Zilungile Mkhize-Kwitshana who was recently recognised for her outstanding contributions to biomedical science and research.
Prof Zilungile Mkhize-Khwitshana (centre) received the Award for Excellence in Medical Laboratory Sciences. Pictured with her are Prof Gugu Mchunu, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences (left), and Dr Nonhlanhla Mbatha, Head of the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Technology (right)
Mkhize-Kwitshana received the prestigious Award for Excellence in the field of Medical Laboratory Sciences at the Mini Congress for Medical Laboratory Sciences hosted by the Faculty of Health Sciences’ Department of Biomedical and Clinical Technology at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) on 31 May 2025.
As a leading academic in CAES, Mkhize-Kwitshana was recognised for her selfless contribution, impactful research and long-standing dedication to advancing the field of biomedical science. Her scholarly work spans neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), immunology, parasitology and public health directly influencing healthcare policy and community health outcomes in South Africa.
Her research focuses on immunology of coinfections, and is closely aligned with South Africa’s decadal health research plan, focusing on how the immunomodulatory effects of NTDs influence high-priority diseases like HIV, TB and increased risk for cancer. Her work interrogates the intersection between immunity, infection, nutrition and microbiome and gastrointestinal cancers. Mkhize-Kwitshana’s pioneering studies revealed how NTDs, long overlooked in national health priorities, impair immune responses in HIV and TB-infected individuals, thus compounding the burden of disease in low-resource communities. Her ground-breaking 2011 study was the first in South Africa to show these interactions, following earlier work in 2008 that highlighted adult vulnerability to NTDs.
In addition to this national recognition, Mkhize-Kwitshana is actively contributing to Unisa’s catalytic niche areas, especially in Biotechnology Studies and Health Studies. Her research and leadership help to strengthen Unisa’s position as a leading institution in interdisciplinary and impact-driven research, aligned with Africa’s development goals
Unisa congratulates Prof Mkhize-Kwitshana on this well-deserved accolade. Her excellence continues to elevate the college’s research profile and serves as an inspiration to emerging African scientists across disciplines.
* By Gugu Masinga, Marketing and Communications Specialist, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Publish date: 2025/06/12
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