UKZN Lecturer Develops a Paediatric Vision Screening Tool
UKZN lecturer and Phd graduate, Dr Naimah Ebrahim Khan.Optometry lecturer, Dr Naimah Ebrahim Khan’s PhD study focused on the development of a paediatric vision screening tool. Supervised by Professor Rekha Hansraj, Ebrahim Khan developed a software programme, Basic Ocular Ngane Assessment (BONA) that can be used by non-optometrists to conduct vision screening in primary schools.
‘BONA is comprehensive and conforms to the standards set by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). It would be a useful tool to screen children across South Africa and decrease the burden of avoidable blindness,’ said Ebrahim Khan.
BONA contains images that South African schoolchildren are familiar with and is currently available in English and isiZulu but can be translated into other languages. According to Ebrahim Khan, it provides an efficient, accurate, enjoyable user experience and is a competent vision screening tool.
‘Competent vision screening during the early childhood years is integral to early intervention and a favourable prognosis,’ said Ebrahim Khan. She added that while vision screening occurs at some schools in South Africa, it is not performed regularly in rural schools as there are too few optometrists. As a result, many vision problems remain undetected.
The development of the software occurred in two phases. The first was the design of BONA which involved identifying the school screening protocol via a review of HPCSA guidelines pertaining to vision screening; planning the design and implementation with software engineers; modifying traditional tests by incorporating ecologically valid targets and digitising, software development and pilot testing proof of the concept; grading using a technology readiness level indicator; translating the screening program interface into isiZulu; and the development of instruction manuals in English and isiZulu.
The second phase involved a logistic applicability exercise in the community to compare BONA to the traditional testing method on 355 primary school learners (Grades R to 3) in rural schools.
Ebrahim Khan said that, compared to traditional vision screening tests, BONA showed minimal differences in pass/fail results. ‘BONA was preferred by 78% of the participants compared to the 16% who preferred the traditional screening protocol.
‘It takes an average of 5.30 ± 0.9 minutes to administer BONA and an average of 10.30 ± 1 minute to screen via the traditional method. Equipment requirements to conduct BONA are more accessible and cheaper than that required to conduct traditional screening.’
Research participants indicated that BONA was preferred since it was more fun, quicker and easier. ‘BONA makes use of an e-Health platform and can screen children for vision problems in all communities,’ said Ebrahim Kahn.
The study adopted a multidisciplinary approach. Having identified a public health need and gained insight from healthcare professionals and teachers, Ebrahim Khan used her optometry background and worked with IT professionals to incorporate ecologically valid targets into technology to produce a workable vision screening tool.
Ebrahim Khan hopes to continue with her research by performing a full validation of BONA to be able to apply for a patent. ‘I would also like to engage in talks with the necessary national regulatory offices so that BONA can get a wider reach in order for more children to be screened.’ She hopes to explore other options to bring technology to the optometry field in South Africa and Africa.
Ebrahim Khan completed her undergraduate and master’s degree at UKZN. ‘I chose to pursue my PhD at UKZN because the University had the necessary resources and infrastructure to assist me in finding a suitable South African solution to the vision screening challenge in our country.’
Words: Nombuso Dlamini
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Visual Function in NIPLHIV Study Earns Optometrist a Doctorate
Dr Alvin Munsamy graduated with a PhD in Optometry.Optometry academic, Dr Alvin Munsamy, graduated with a doctoral degree for his study titled: The Impact of Structural Retinal Changes on Visual Function in Non-Immunocompromised People Living with HIV (NIPLHIV).
The novel study highlights the importance of monitoring the eye structure and vision of NIPLHIV, which is an often neglected area, given that these patients are on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).
According to Statistics South Africa, in 2018, South Africa had 7.7 million people living with HIV (PLHIV). Since HIV suppresses the immune system, the body, including the eyes, are susceptible to a number of infections. It is believed that since the majority of PLHIV are on ART, their immune system is not compromised and they are in relatively good health. Munsamy’s study sought to understand the retinal structure in PLHIV on ART as well as the neuro-ophthalmic associations in NIPLHIV.
The study was conducted on 30 HIV negative patients and 30 NIPLHIV attending an outpatient clinic in a local hospital in Durban. Patients’ retinal morphometric measurements were assessed using the Spectralis Optical Coherence Tomographer (OCT). A number of other optometric tests were used to obtain Contrast Sensitivity (CS), colour vision error scores and pattern evoked potentials to assess visual function.
According to Munsamy, ‘NIPLHIV had thicker mean global temporal sub-fields when compared to the HIV negative controls; however, no visual differences in function were observed in both the groups. Essentially, the structural differences observed could be a precursor for visual function disorders despite the fact that these NIPLHIV are on ART.’
Munsamy’s study recommends that OCT of the macula (responsible for focusing central vision in the eye) and Contrast Sensitivity (CS) loss be used as markers of cerebral atrophy in NIPLHIV. ‘Even if you appear healthy and you have HIV, ask your eye care provider to photo-document retinal scans at least annually as sub-clinical changes exist. Taking ART prevents retinal inflammation and disease, but the underlying structure is disrupted and we have yet to see the long-term effects.’
Munsamy was supervised by Professor Anand Moodley, Head of Neurology at the University of the Free State and Professor Rune Brausatet, Head of the Division - Eye and Vision, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. He has supervised a number of master’s students and his area of expertise lies in binocular vision and ocular disease.
The Dr AD Lazarus old boy graduated with his bachelors and master’s degrees at UKZN. He also has a Certification in Advanced Study in Diagnosis and Treatment of Ocular Diseases and Neural Basis of Optometry from the New England College of Optometry and has completed courses offered for certification in therapeutic management of ocular disease, from the State University of New York. Munsamy is a fellow of the prestigious Developing Research Innovation, Localisation and Leadership in South Africa (DRILL), a flagship project of UKZN’s College of Health Sciences funded by a D43 US National Institutes of Health International Research Training Award.
Having grown up in the Clare Estate/Reservoir Hills area close to UKZN’s Westville campus, Munsamy is well-known for his love of Ferrari F1 racing, Ster Kinekor movies and the tennis grand slam champion, Roger Federer.
Words: MaryAnn Francis
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Physiology Study Investigates African Plants with Antidiabetic Properties
Dr Bongani Alphonse Nkala graduated with a PhD in Physiology.Dr Bongani Alphonse Nkala’s PhD in Physiology investigated eight South African plants that are traditionally used for medical purposes but have not been scientifically validated.
Nkala found that certain plants used by traditional healers to manage diabetes have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or antidiabetic properties.
‘I believe that African traditional medicine is a solution to treat and manage medical problems given the fact that conventional drugs have more side effects and antibiotic resistance keeps rising. African traditional medicine can be a less harmful alternative and has the potential to treat a number of ailments,’ said Nkala.
Born in Impendle, KwaZulu-Natal, Nkala serves as an internship manager and lecturer in the Faculty of Applied Science at Pearson Institute of Higher Education in Johannesburg.
Nkala experienced many challenges during his studies, including financial ones, forcing him to take up TV commercial freelancing jobs to generate extra income. He also had to study part-time as he had a full-time job. He said that he will forever be grateful to Foxstar Talent management for enabling him to supplement his income.
Nkala is passionate about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and encourages young men and women to pursue careers in these fields. The 43-year-old co-owns the non-profit ScienceCEO Academy based in Durban, which has been educating rural schools in KwaZulu-Natal about STEM over the past five years.
He completed a diploma; B-Tech degree at the Durban University of Technology and a Master’s degree in Medical Sciences before pursuing his PhD. He plans to study towards a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) but his immediate objective is to secure a position at a public university in order to advance his research.
‘I was very fortunate to have caring and accessible supervisors in Dr Hlengiwe Mbongwa and Dr Qwebani-Ogunleye who made my study journey a pleasant one. My family and friends made it easier for me and supported me throughout this journey – I’m grateful to them all,’ said Nkala.
Words: Lihle Sosibo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Doctoral Study Assesses Effects of Mobility on HIV Risk
Zimbabwean national and PhD graduate, Dr Armstrong Dzomba.Dr Armstrong Dzomba’s PhD study investigated the effects of mobility on HIV acquisition risk in South Africa. He was supervised by Professor Frank Tanser from the College of Health Sciences and Professor Kaymarlin Govender from the College of Humanities.
‘The study identified the mechanisms behind the complex relationship between mobility, risky sexual practices and HIV acquisition, and is the first to capture the changing epidemiological profile of HIV among those who migrate in a hyper-endemic rural community in South Africa,’ explained Dzomba.
According to Dzomba, South African women are now migrating at a rate similar to men, yet remain an understudied population. The study examined whether female migrants remained at increased risk of HIV infection given the changing HIV treatment/antiretroviral therapy (ART) and prevention landscape, ie, pre-ART (before 2009) and post-ART (2010 onwards).
‘The results demonstrated that ART substantially reduced the risk of HIV acquisition among highly mobile women. During the post-ART scale-up period, the risk of HIV acquisition declined fivefold compared to the pre-ART scale-up period,’ said Dzomba.
According to Dzomba, his study is one of the first to provide conclusive evidence that scale-up of ART in South Africa reduced HIV acquisition risk among female migrants. These results are a strong justification for the use of novel models of differentiated service delivery in the public health system to simplify and adapt HIV services to the needs of mobile people.
‘For example, HIV self-testing and other mobile health solutions across the prevention and treatment cascade for this often-underserved population may help to decongest the health system,’ he said.
Dzomba believes his work has filled a major knowledge gap in the literature regarding the link between migration and HIV acquisition risk in the era of access to ART. He has submitted a joint National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant application to support new research on the use of HIV self-testing (HIVST) to improve outcomes along the HIV cascade for migrants.
‘This will examine the role of technological innovations in reducing the size of the undiagnosed population to the 5% level or below by 2030 in light of the 95-95-95 target in HIV hyper-endemic rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa,’ he said.
Dzomba is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Medical Research Council/University of the Witwatersrand (MRC/Wits) Unit in the Rural Public Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt).
He is grateful to have been supervised by two great professors. ‘I was fortunate to have two supervisors, as I needed all the help I could get!’ He is also grateful to his home country, Zimbabwe, for awarding him a scholarship.
‘The incredible support UKZN offered to graduate students was a real boon. Based in the state-of-the-art lab at the Africa Health Research Institute at the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine in the beautiful city of Durban, with its sub-tropical weather and stretch of the Indian Ocean coast for occasional Sunday runs, there was no question that UKZN was the place to be throughout my PhD,’ he said.
Words: Nombuso Dlamini
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Lecturer Awarded PhD in Nursing
UKZN lecturer, Dr Nomaxabiso Mooi.Dr Nomaxabiso Mooi’s PhD study examined enteral nutritional therapy practices, availability and implementation of related guidelines in adults within district hospitals and primary healthcare centres, with the goal of developing an implementation model relevant to the South African context.
‘The number of patients who should not be admitted to the intensive care unit, but rather be offered palliative care in district/primary healthcare institutions or their homes is increasing,’ said Mooi.
‘Enteral nutritional therapy has become an important component in the management of these patients and illness-related malnutrition globally, as it is associated with a decreased complication rate, shortened hospitalisation and reduced readmission rate,’ she added.
There is a dearth of literature on the implementation of enteral nutritional therapy practice guidelines in adults presenting at district hospitals and primary healthcare clinics before admission or after discharge from acute care.
Data were collected from 96 healthcare professionals, three patients, four family caregivers and by means of observation. This was followed by data collection from 13 nutrition experts at international, national and local levels using the Delphi technique.
Mooi said that the healthcare professionals showed poor knowledge but a positive attitude regarding the implementation of the South African enteral nutritional therapy practice guidelines in their institutions. They indicated that they were willing to implement the guidelines provided they were introduced to them and were given relevant education and in-service training.
‘Patients and family caregivers reported unmet needs related to the management of home-based enteral nutrition (HEN) that included socioeconomic and psychosocial needs.’
Mooi commented that the study’s findings point to the need for focused professional training and continuing professional education about enteral nutritional therapy implementation at district and primary healthcare centres.
‘The model that was developed has the potential to enhance guideline implementation, empower healthcare professionals, identify and address patients’ and family caregivers’ needs regarding HEN management, improve nutritional therapy practices, curb critical illness-related malnutrition and save healthcare costs,’ she concluded.
Four research articles have been produced from the thesis, with one in print and three submitted to accredited journals. Mooi is currently working on a research proposal for a collaborative research project that will involve international, national and local stakeholders to enhance community engagement and maximise societal impact.
The study was supervised by Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Busisiwe Ncama. ‘I was so honoured to be supervised by Professor Ncama. We are both critical care nurses who are interested in managing patients before and after admission in the Intensive Care Unit and in the best possible and affordable ways, including provision of nutritional therapy,’ said Mooi.
Words: Nombuso Dlamini
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Study Encourages Nurses to Advocate for the Less Privileged
PhD graduate and Ghanaian national, Dr Luke Laari.Dr Luke Laari’s study titled: Developing a Health Advocacy Theory to Advance Nursing Practice in Ghana: A Grounded Theory, explored knowledge, acceptance and practice of the health advocacy role among nurses in the country.
Supervised by the College of Health Science’s Dean of Teaching and Learning, Professor Sinegugu Evidence Duma, the study aimed to develop a health advocacy theory to advance this role among nurses.
The Health Advocacy Role Performance (HARP) theory is designed to guide and empower nurses to advocate for the less privileged and the disadvantaged in society and within the clinical environment.
“Nurses” health advocacy role has been identified as central and has the potential to address the inequities and inconsistencies that affect most healthcare systems in Africa. An African theoretical foundation to guide nurses in this role is lacking. Strauss and Corbin’s Grounded Theory approach was employed to develop the HARP theory,’ said Laari.
Analysis of data collected by means of interviews with 24 professional nurses identified six concepts that were used to develop the theory. These included role enquiry, role dimensions, role context, role influence, role performance and role reforms. Health advocacy role performance emerged as the core concept with which the other concepts are intertwined.
These findings revealed that the health advocacy role is understood and accepted by nurses in Ghana. ‘We hope that the theory will empower nurses to perform the health advocacy role in their daily Nursing practice,’ said Laari. The study recommended that training reforms, such as incorporating health advocacy into the undergraduate Nursing curriculum, be considered by Ghana’s Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Laari spoke fondly of his supervisor and UKZN. ‘Professor Duma is a wonderful person and UKZN is a great institution. I did my honours and masters here, and learning under great people made me continue here with my PhD,’ he said.
Words: Nombuso Dlamini
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .PhD for UKZN HAND Investigators
Clockwise from top left: Drs Sipho Mdanda, Sphamandla Ntshangase and Sooraj Baijnath.Drs Sipho Mdanda and Sphamandla Ntshangase graduated from UKZN’s Catalysis and Peptide Research Unit (CPRU) with doctoral degrees for their studies investigating anti-retroviral drug’s (ARVs) penetration of the central nervous system (CNS) for the treatment of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND).
Currently employed as postdoctoral fellows, the graduates were supervised by leading pharmaceutical chemistry expert, recipient of the National Research Excellence Award for Next Generation Researchers and the current Academic Leader of Research in the School of Health Sciences, Dr Sooraj Baijnath.
Mdanda, who is a postdoctoral fellow at the Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform, investigated the ARVs’ plasma and CNS penetration ratio, brain pharmacokinetics and brain spatial bio-distribution patterns of ARVs using advanced mass spectrometry techniques for the treatment of HAND. HAND severely compromises the quality of life of people living with HIV. Late stage AIDS-related illnesses include various neurocognitive disorders, the worst of which is dementia. HAND-related symptoms include short attention span, memory loss, mood disorders, irritability, poor judgment, confusion, and impairment of fine motor skills.
Despite significant advances in the biomedical treatment of HIV-related conditions, the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of HAND remains poorly understood. According to Mdanda, the main reason for this is that, ‘The central nervous system contributes to the prevalence of HIV as it acts as a compartment in which the virus can replicate independently from ARVs in the system due to blood brain barrier limitations in traversing them into the CNS.’ Mdanda’s findings contribute to better understanding of the range of anti-HIV regimens that highly penetrates CNS and those that halt the neurodevelopmental disorders associated with HIV in patients.
Mdanda was born and raised in Kwa-Maphumulo in Water-Fall Village. He joined UKZN’s Science Foundation programme for learners from disadvantaged schools and went on to obtain a BSc in Applied Chemistry from UKZN followed by a Bachelor of Technology in Analytical Chemistry at Mangosuthu University of Technology before returning to UKZN to complete his Masters and PhD degrees in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Mdanda said, ‘I come from a family that has challenges like any other humble Black family out there. My parents have no idea of the sacrifices we make because they are not educated, so they cannot lead and guide us. Luckily, I have a brother Nkosi Mdanda who supported every decision that I took. I am also grateful to my supervisors in the Catalysis and Peptides Research Unit (CPRU) who understood my financial challenges and how depressing research can be if things do not go as planned.’ Mdanda loves Afro-house music and believes that music has a way of healing people and restoring one’s energy.
Ntshangase, from the rural village of Jozini, joined UKZN in 2012. He has been awarded a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and will be joining the Ruth Andrew Research Group. His PHD study evaluated the CNS delivery and localisation of common ARVs to determine their potential efficacy for the treatment of HAND. Ntshangase found that most ARVs localise in the cerebral cortex, corpus callosum, thalamus and hypothalamus and also in the basal forebrain regions of the brain, areas which are known to undergo neurodegeneration during HIV infection.
Working as a team, Ntshangase and Mdanda published six papers in a wide range of international multidisciplinary journals. These papers investigated the distribution of three drugs (efavirenz, tenofovir, and emtricitabine) often used in combination (Atripla) and found that efavirenz localised homogenously across the entire brain, while tenofovir localised in the cortex. Emtricitabine distributed heterogeneously mainly in the thalamus, corpus callosum, and hypothalamus.
They also observed a relatively high abundance of elvitegravir in the thalamus, hypothalamus, and the corpus callosum whereas tenofovir partially localised in the cortex. A high degree of localisation for rilpivirine was fund in the brain regions including the hippocampal formation and the corpus callosum.
According to Baijnath, ‘Using advanced mass spectrometry approaches, the scientists were able to directly detect and visualise clinically important analytes more broadly in biological tissues in order to create an index that better represents drug penetration across the blood brain barrier. This is especially important since many of the current CNS penetration indices are based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drug measurements, which is an incorrect representation of actual brain distribution since the brain has its own independent CSF circulatory pathways. These findings are important for the pharmaceutical effectiveness of ARVs in the treatment of HIV and we hope that they can be used by healthcare professionals to better inform their treatment regimens in combatting HAND. This as neurocognitive disorders continue to be a significant cause of morbidity in people living with HIV.’
Words: MaryAnn Francis
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Doctor Awarded Degree Summa Cum Laude
Top Medical student, Dr Ahmed Sameer Ikram.UKZN’s top Medical student, Dr Ahmed Sameer Ikram who graduated summa cum laude, said this achievement means a lot to him and is a testament of his hard work over the years.
Ikram also received the prestigious YK Seedat prize for the top student. He said that he never doubted his choice of Medicine as a career – all he had to do was to push himself, remain motivated and constantly remind himself of the opportunity he had been granted.
‘My advice to other students would be to savour the opportunity and always strive for perfection. Actualise the Hippocratic Oath and help others whenever you have the opportunity.’ He added that his family and friends played a pivotal role in all that he has achieved.
When not on call and away from academics, he enjoys cricket and soccer. The young Durbanite is currently serving his Internship at King Edward VIII Hospital.
‘My study experience at UKZN has been a pleasant one – the memories and friendships created will remain with me forever. The training more than adequately prepares one for life after Medical School in the hospital setting. I will be forever indebted to all my lecturers, tutors and clinicians whom I encountered in the past six years.’
Words: Lihle Sosibo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Momordica Herb Proven to Preserve Kidney Functionality in Diabetic Antiretroviral Users
PhD in Anatomy graduate, Dr Ugochukwu Offor. Dr Ugochukwu Offor graduated with a PhD in Anatomy for his investigation on the role of Momordica charantia (a medicinal plant) in preserving the kidneys due to the side effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy.
He was supervised by renowned anatomists, Professor Onyemaechi Azu and Dr Edwin Naidu from the School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences.
His study that used a sample of a diabetic Sprague Dawley rats, revealed that Momordica charantia preserves kidney morphology and other parameters assessed.
‘I feel great and humbled. It has always been my dream to earn my PhD on time. Anatomy as a field of study is still not well known and I hope to inspire the younger generation,’ said Offor.
Offor obtained his first degree in Anatomy at the University of Portharcourt in Nigeria.
‘Studying comes with its own trauma. Sometimes you will near breaking point where you just want to quit or sink because of pressure, anxiety and fear. There are just two options - you either forget everything and run or face everything and rise,’ he said.
Offor recently joined the University of Limpopo.
‘UKZN helped me to become a better person. The University environment was like a model of society. There were ups and downs but now I am ready for the real world,’ he said.
Words: Lihle Sosibo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .A Culinary Herb that Alleviates High Blood Pressure
Human Physiology doctoral graduate, Dr Isaiah Kofi Arhin.Evaluating the antihypertensive effect of Tulbaghia acutiloba Harv, a medicinal plant used as a culinary herb in southern Africa was the focus of a doctoral thesis in Human Physiology by a young researcher in the School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, Dr Isaiah Kofi Arhin.
This was the first study of its kind to use this plant as a novel therapeutic agent.
The study showed that Tulbaghia acutiloba alleviates high blood pressure and its associated complications. It integrated the mechanisms of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) and the haemtological system to provide insight into the therapeutic potential and validation of Tulbaghia acutiloba in the treatment of hypertension. This plant was shown to be more efficient than other plants investigated and hence could be a novel therapeutic agent in the fight against hypertension.
‘This achievement makes me feel honoured and humbled. It has really been an exciting yet challenging journey. These findings will enable me to impart new knowledge to the younger generation and the public at large,’ said Arhin. He added that when he encountered challenges in meeting deadlines, his supervisor, Professor Irene Mackraj motivated him, enabling him to graduate.
The 30-year-old is currently preparing manuscripts for publication and reviewing literature for his next research study. He would like to take up academia in his home country of Ghana, where he is engaged in voluntary work for research institutions.
‘My study experience was exciting and motivating. The academic and support staff were very helpful. The academic atmosphere was conducive for conducting research both in terms of infrastructure and other resources. In all, I would say UKZN is one of the leading institutions to be in if you really want to achieve your dreams.’
Words: Lihle Sosibo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Top Audiology Student Receives Two Awards
Top Audiology student, Ms Aaminah Peer.‘I feel honoured as well as blessed. The endless hours of studying, tears, laughter and support from my friends and family have paid off,’ said top Audiology student, Ms Aaminah Peer who also received the School of Health Science's top Academic and Clinical skills awards.
‘My class of 2019 was extremely hard working and anyone could have been deserving of these awards,’ she added.
Twenty-two-year-old Peer’s future plans include a Masters in Audiology and working in a rewarding environment. ‘I also aspire to use my Audiology skills to make a difference in people’s lives and inspire others to do the same.’
She is a firm believer in giving back. ‘Many community members have limited knowledge regarding Audiology and I hope to spread awareness to improve their wellbeing.’
She said she faced a number of challenges in the past four years, with the most daunting being away from home for the first time. Peer hails from the small town of Kokstad and ‘adjusting to city life was a challenge. My newfound friends became my support structure and helped me through the difficult times. They were my shoulders to cry on, my calming tea buddies and my daily dose of laughter.’
She describes her experience at UKZN as a roller coaster ride of happy and stressful times. ‘UKZN provided me with facilities that allowed me to grow as a student. The Audiology department enabled me to gain experience of the real working world. Being able to see patients as early as second year is a privilege as it allows you to be hands on and interactive. UKZN gave me the opportunity to achieve my dreams,’ said Peer.
Peer comes from a close-knit family consisting of her parents, two younger brothers and her grandparents. ‘I am the first university graduate in my immediate family which makes this accomplishment even more special. My family has been extremely supportive through my four years of studying.’
She said that she has always been driven to give of her best. ‘During my school years at Kokstad College I achieved academic and cultural honours. At University, I was awarded a Dean’s Commendation and Merit Certificates over the four years,’ said Peer. She also received the Harry Gwala District Department of Health Bursary.
Peer is currently completing her community service at East Griqualand and Usher Memorial Hospital in Kokstad.
Words: Nombuso Dlamini
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Speech Language Pathology Student Excels
Top Speech Language Pathology student, Ms Amy Russel.‘To graduate as one of the top students in your class, is an honour. I cannot thank my family, friends and educators enough,’ said an elated Ms Amy Roseanne Russell who was one of the top students in Speech Language Pathology. She also scooped the School of Health Science's awards for the top student in clinical and community work.
From a young age, Russell had two major passions - people and the performing arts. ‘Speech Language Pathology provided me with the opportunity to help people with communication and/or swallowing difficulties/disorders whilst still allowing me creative freedom to utilise my performance skills on a daily basis in my therapy,’ she said.
‘Studying at UKZN was never boring! I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and am grateful for the education, memories and skills that it gave me.’
Russell is currently taking a break from her performance dreams while she completes her community service at Newcastle Provincial Hospital. ‘However, the energy of performance and music continues to resonate in my therapy room. This year, I plan to complete my course to become an accredited lactation consultant and to begin brainstorming for my master’s degree which I plan to register for next year,’ said the 23-year-old.
While studying Russell faced two major challenges. During her second-year, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. ‘Throughout my life, my family has been a major pillar of support and strength. During my mom’s fight, our family endured a huge amount of stress, anger, sadness and uncertainty. It was incredibly difficult to not only complete that year’s workload but to keep up with our family’s new roller coaster lifestyle. However, we managed to overcome and end this chapter by working together. Today, we are all happy and healthy,’ she said.
Her second major challenge was an internal battle. ‘In 2015, at the end of first-year, I was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder. This played a major role in my studies, bringing some cons but also many pros,’ said Russell.
‘It was only through the help of my family, friends, classmates (and hot chocolate) that I was able to overcome this challenge and complete my degree (with only a few grey hairs),’ she added.
Her hobbies include singing and acting. ‘During my studies I was fortunate to be able to start my own vocal studio and continue my professional career in the performing industry,’ she said.
Words: Nombuso Dlamini
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Pioneering Study Explores the Protective Effects of Metformin in the Brain and Kidneys
PhD in Medical Biochemistry graduate, Dr Taskeen Fathima Docrat.Dr Taskeen Fathima Docrat graduated with a PhD in Medical Biochemistry for her study on the protective effects of Metformin in the brain and kidney. Her research revealed that the drug overcomes the alterations induced by diabetes in these organs at the molecular level.
The first of its kind, the study focused on the mechanisms of Metformin and how it contributes to the alleviation of diabetic neuropathy.
‘Completing a PhD is an arduous journey, and is one that has humbled me on so many levels. The sacrifices I made during this passage of my life were all worth it. My aspirations include pursuing a career as a researcher in neurosciences,’ said Docrat.
Docrat pursued Medical Biochemistry as a field of study because of her fascination with molecular mechanisms, disease and the crosslinking of fundamental biology and chemistry.
She comes from a large family with six siblings. Her father passed away when she was 12. ‘My mum remains my rock, source of strength and the reason I hold a PhD today,’ she said.
Docrat overcame the struggles she faced by maintaining a positive mindset. She expressed her thanks to her supervisor, Professor Anil Chuturgoon and co-supervisor Dr Savania Nagiah who always nudged her in the right direction. Her husband, Dr Sheik, gave her much needed support by providing a loving home throughout her PhD journey.
‘My experience at UKZN has been a pleasant one. This is attributed to the excellent services and high calibre of research provided by the fraternity’, she said.
She is currently seeking a postdoctoral/ research position in Cape Town.
Words: Lihle Sosibo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Medical Student Overcomes Funding Challenges to Graduate
Dr Ntokozo Maphanga has fulfilled her dream of becoming a Medical doctor.Lack of funding remains a challenge for many South African students, with some having to give up on their dreams.
Dr Ntokozo Maphanga faced and conquered this challenge and fulfilled her long-standing dream of becoming a Medical doctor.
‘I really feel proud because this was a long journey with millions of challenges. I would love to open my own practice and run a successful business as a family doctor whilst enjoying being a mother and a wife,’ she said.
Having graduated with a Nursing degree earlier, Maphanga said that it was difficult to pursue her MBChB because she was working as a professional nurse and had bills to pay. She initially hoped to work while studying but study demands meant that she had to quit Nursing. At the beginning of her third-year in 2015, she was financially excluded from the University because she could no longer afford the fees.
With no choice but to suspend her studies, she returned to Nursing for a year, managed to pay off some of her debt and resumed her studies in 2016.
Maphanga is currently an intern at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi, Durban. She is looking forward to completing her community service in two years. Thereafter, she hopes to take up specialisation in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
‘Growing up, I always dreamt of becoming a doctor as I was fascinated with the human body. I also wanted to help people who I could see were suffering from ailments in my community.’ She was raised in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg by her paternal grandparents. Her father worked in Durban and contributed immensely to her upbringing. While her mother passed away when she was 10, her grandmother was a “very loving mother”. The eldest in her family, Maphanga is a mother to a 16-month-old son. She enjoys singing and dancing and is a choral member in her church choir.
‘Dreams delayed and challenges faced along the way should never deter one’s dream,’ she said.
Words: Lihle Sosibo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .PhD Study Focuses on Children with ADHD
PhD graduate, Dr Gloria Pila-Nemutandani.Dr Gloria Pila-Nemutandani’s PhD in Behavioural Medicine investigated lateralisation and compared gross motor skills in order to establish whether children with ADHD have deficits in fine motor skills.
The study also tested the participants’ visuomotor performance.
Supervised by Professors Basil Pillay and Anneke Meyer, the study revealed a relationship between Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptomatology, laterality and motor problems with regard to complex tasks of accuracy, but not with respect to a simple task of motor speed.
According to Pila-Nemutandani, although ADHD involves a constellation of symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, children with ADHD have motor problems that are often characterised as clumsiness or poor motor co-ordination. ‘The disorder has been linked with poor social, academic and occupational outcomes,’ she said
The study tested 160 primary school children (80 with ADHD and 80 matched controls) aged between seven and 13, both females and males, on simple tasks to establish hand, foot, eye and ear dominance. They were tested on gross motor skills, tasks such as kicking, catching, walking, standing, and dribbling. The Grooved Pegboard Test, Maze Coordination Task and the Finger Tapping Test were used to measure fine motor skills. To test visuomotor skills, she used the NEPSY-II Design copying subtest.
Pila-Nemutandani’s results showed that crossed laterality was more prevalent in the ADHD group than the control group (79% v. 41%). The results also indicated that crossed laterality may lead to more symptoms of ADHD. Ear dominance was shown to be a more accurate predictor of ADHD symptoms than handedness, footedness and/or eye dominance as in this study; it could discriminate between children with ADHD and a control group without ADHD symptoms.
With regard to fine motor skills, the study revealed that children with ADHD performed significantly more poorly than the control group with regard to the Grooved Pegboard and Maze Co-ordination Tasks, but not the Finger Tapping Task. There were no gender differences in all the tests. Performance on the Maze Co-ordination Task showed that the non-dominant hand was poorer for the ADHD group with regard to the time taken to complete the task. However, no hand dominance differences were found with the Grooved Pegboard and Finger Tapping tests.
The gross motor skills category showed that children with ADHD exhibited poorer performance in all tasks. The gender of the participants influenced performance with regard to kicking and dribbling tasks. The visuomotor characteristics supported the prediction that children with ADHD show evidence of impaired visuo-motor skills, and present poorer proficiency in discriminating area, shape, slope, line length and size consistency of the designs.
Based on these findings, Pila-Nemutandani recommended that motor skills training should be considered as part of interventions for children with ADHD, as these skills are required for many daily activities and academic competencies.
‘God bless my supervisors, who supported me and were patient with me. What attracted me to UKZN was its reputation as a research-led institution and the fact that I could publish prior to final submission and challenge the status quo with regard to ADHD research.’ She has published four articles based on her study.
Pila-Nemutandani is currently working on a research project investigating neurodevelopmental disorders (Autism, ADHD, etc.) in the North West Province.
‘I would like to venture into experiential research to explore the brain-behaviour relationship and still maintain and serve communities as a Clinical Psychologist,’ she said.
She is married to Mashudu and they have two children, Takalani and Khuliso. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and gardening.
Words: Nombuso Dlamini
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Ethiopian Higher Football League Assessed in Doctoral Study
PhD in Sport Science graduate, Dr Adula Fikreyesus.Dr Adula Fikreyesus’ study on Monitoring Training, Recovery and Performance in the Ethiopian Higher Football League earned him a PhD in Sport Science.
Supervised by Professor Johan van Heerden, the study found that ‘the lack of an appropriately structured periodisation plan was illustrated by a poorly synchronised balance between training load, recovery and well-being among players, resulting in potential overreaching.’ Fikreyesus, an Ethiopian national, noted that this novel contribution to football science demonstrates how exertion and recovery affect tackle-effectiveness and short-passes that have been identified as key performance skills in winning matches.
‘Ethiopia, one of the founders of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) could not be represented in international arenas by football clubs as well as its national team, which could be due to the players’ fitness and the quality of training offered by the coaches,’ said Fikreyesus.
A soccer squad of contracted professional male footballers aged 20-25 in the Hadya-Hossana Football Club who compete in the Higher Football League in Ethiopia served as the sample group that was observed and monitored over a season of competition.
Forty observations were made of the players’ Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), Total Quality of Recovery (TQR) and a well-being review comprising ratings of fatigue, sleep quality, muscle soreness, stress levels and mood.
Session training load (sTL) was subsequently calculated as the product of session rated perceived exertion (sRPE) and session training duration (sTD) in Arbitrary Units (AU).
Four observations were made of the players’ recovery using the Daily Analysis of Life Demands for Athletes (DALDA) Questionnaire.
The teams were monitored over a macrocycle of the season comprising six matches in terms of RPE, TQR and well-being (WB).
The data on performance in the six matches were collected using a notational game analysis by a specially designed software called HossanaGameAnalyst.
Fikreyesus said that, in monitoring the training load and quality of recovery experienced by players, similar RPE corresponding with “fairly light” and “somewhat hard”, were recorded in pre-season and in-season, respectively but “poor” TQR was recorded for both the pre-season and in-season.
‘In terms of exertional stressors experienced by players, the DALDA indicated significantly better recovery with a higher mean DALDA and fewer “worse than normal” responses during pre-season than during the in-season, when a lower recovery score and more “worse than normal” responses were registered. Overall the components of well-being over the season showed a mean value below the mid value norm of “3”.
Fikreyesus is currently employed as a lecturer at Wachemo University, Ethiopia and is also a technical director for a premier league club.
He said he chose UKZN because it is one of top-ranked universities in Africa that aims to “inspire greatness” among its undergraduate and postgraduate students.
‘One of the reasons I was impressed with UKZN is its capacity to accommodate diversity. The other reason was the world class Discipline of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences. Since I aimed to develop research skills to understand the scientific approaches employed to enhance players’ performance, UKZN was my institution of choice.’
Words: Nombuso Dlamini
Photograph: Supplied
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