Sought-After Scholarship Award for UKZN Academic

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Neuropsychiatrist and honorary lecturer at UKZN’s School of Medicine, Dr Lindokuhle Thela, was awarded the prestigious Professor Bongani Mayosi Netcare Scholarship for 2022.

The scholarship is awarded to a clinical specialist or subspecialist for doctoral or post-doctoral research in South Africa and includes a three-year salary for full-time doctoral or post-doctoral research work in a chosen field.

‘I am humbled and honoured to be awarded this prestigious scholarship that has produced world-class academic leaders in South Africa. The Professor Bongani Mayosi Netcare Scholarship is the most prestigious PhD scholarship in South Africa awarded to medical specialists and subspecialists,’ said Thela.

According to Thela - whose research interests lie in psychiatric biomarkers - schizophrenia requires clinical diagnosis, which often means that the patient must be sick for over a month to diagnose. Thus, he said it is imperative to identify biomarkers that can be used at the point of care to improve diagnostic, treatment, and outcome accuracy.

Among his many achievements, the Discovery Foundation awarded him a scholarship to study Neuropsychiatry at the University of Cape Town Medical School. He also holds a Certificate in Neuropsychiatry and a Master of Philosophy in Neuropsychiatry.

Thela continued to thank the Psychiatric department and his mentor, Professor Bonga Chiliza, for their support and encouragement throughout his journey.

The Highflats-born doctor is currently the Head of Psychiatry at King Edward VIII Hospital and will be embarking on a PhD project focusing on the role of neuroinflammation in patients presenting with new-onset psychosis.

Words: Mandisa Shozi

Photograph: Supplied