The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has recognised the outstanding contributions to health research of Unisa’s Professors Zilungile Mkhize-Kwitshana, Lindiwe Zungu and Usisipho Feleni at its prestigious 11^th Scientific Merit Awards.

Image credit: SAMRC

Mkhize-Kwitshana and Zungu received the Research Capacity and Transformation Award, and Feleni the Bronze Award.

The Research Capacity and Transformation Award is for established scientists who have made substantial contributions to capacity building and transformation in health research in South Africa, with special emphasis on the promotion of doctoral degrees and student race and gender diversity in the health sciences, capacity development activities of emerging and early career scientists, research workforce development, and the contribution to promoting capacity development at a historically disadvantaged and/or under-resourced institutions.

The Bronze Award is for emerging scientists who have between five to ten years of post-PhD experience, and the criteria are leadership, capacity development, grant writing and transformation.

The SAMRC states that it established the awards to recognise world-class science, acknowledge outstanding contributions to health research, and recognise individuals who have demonstrated exceptional scientific acumen or made innovative strides in addressing public health challenges, potentially influencing policy and thereby enhancing the well-being of the South African population.

Prof Zilungile Mkhize-Kwitshana

Mkhize-Kwitshana is a Distinguished Professor at Unisa, an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and a Senior Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg. She is a C3 NRF-rated medical biological scientist registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, and an immunologist with a wealth of expertise in the intersection of immunology, infectious diseases and cancer research.

Image credit: SAMRC

The SAMRC commented as follows regarding the Research Capacity Development and Transformation Award bestowed on her:

Professor Mkhize-Kwitshana has made significant contributions in understanding the immunology of co-infections between neglected tropical diseases, HIV/TB, and other pathogens. Her research also explores the complex relationships between co-infections, immunity, the microbiome, nutrition, and cancer. She has demonstrated a deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists by graduating numerous PhD, master’s, and honours students. She has mentored post-doctoral fellows and interns, all of whom are designated candidates, mostly from historically disadvantaged institutions, and spearheaded capacity development initiatives both nationally and internationally. She has therefore contributed to promoting diversity in the health sciences.

Prof Lindiwe Zungu

Zungu is a Distinguished Professor and chief research specialist in Occupational Health and Safety at Unisa, and has spent more than two decades at the forefront of research in this field.

Image credit: SAMRC

The SAMRC commented as follows regarding the Research Capacity Development and Transformation Award bestowed on her:

Professor Lindiwe Zungu’s research has transformed the occupational health landscape within high-risk sectors like mining and construction. These industries, historically dominated by men, have long neglected the specific needs of vulnerable workers, particularly women. Through her groundbreaking work, Zungu has been instrumental in driving transformation in these fields, focusing on creating safer, more inclusive environments that address the gender disparities often faced by female mine workers.  Beyond her individual research contributions, Zungu’s influence has been extended through her mentorship and guidance of numerous postgraduate students at both master’s and doctoral level. Through postgraduate programmes, she has played a pivotal role in building research capacity within the field, producing a new generation of scholars dedicated to improving working conditions and ensuring the safety of workers in dangerous industries.

Prof Usisipho Feleni

Prof Usisipho Feleni is an Associate Professor at Unisa’s Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS), where she pioneers research on electrochemical biosensors for disease biomarker detection and electrocatalysis to monitor pathogens such as those associated with SARS-CoV-2 and pharmaceutical contaminants in water.

Image credit: SAMRC

The SAMRC commented as follows regarding the Bronze Award bestowed on her:

The research expertise of NRF C2-rated Professor Usisipho Feleni lies at the intersection of nanomaterials, electrochemical diagnostic biosensors, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis—fields that are critical to improving public health and environmental sustainability. Through her work, she has made significant contributions to the development of innovative technologies for early disease detection and environmental monitoring. She has delivered keynote and guest speaker presentations at numerous national and international universities, sharing her expertise and inspiring future generations of scientists. She is also dedicated to mentoring, supervising and co-supervising MSc and PhD students, and ensuring that her work continues to leave a lasting impact on the scientific community.

These awards celebrating research excellence are a testament to the progressive vision of Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor, who introduced ten catalytic research niche areas at the university that are increasingly enhancing the institution’s academic agenda and academics’ experiences as truly engaged scholars.

The awards also speak to Unisa’s vibrant and dynamic research culture, and its strong transformative agenda that encourages a creative approach to new ways of knowing. Academics and postgraduate students at the university are committed to finding innovative solutions that will address important national and global questions, and contribute to the economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being of South Africa and the African continent.

* Compiled by Philip van der Merwe, Editor, Department of Institutional Advancement