Dr Nesri Padayatchi (EDCTP Senior Fellow 2011) - a leading expert in MDR-TB - Awarded SAMRC Silver Scientific Achievement Award!
EDCTP alumnus - a well- known research clinician, epidemiologist, academic and scientist in multidrug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB) was recognised by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) for her research excellence in the management of patients with MDR and XDR TB. Dr Nesri Padayatchi, a scientist and Deputy Director at the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), received the SAMRC 2018 Silver Scientific Achievement Award, a medal, at the SAMRC Scientific Merit awards in last year.
“SAMRC recognises and congratulates you as an outstanding South African scientist who has contributed to raising the profile of science in South Africa,” said Dr Mike Sathekge, chairperson of the SAMRC Board.
Professor Nesri Padayatchi, MBChB, DCH(Paediatrics), DTM&H (Tropical Medicine), DPH(Public Health), DHSM (Health Management) MS(Epi), is an honorary Associate Professor in Public Health and Nursing, in the College of Health Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa.
She has more than 30 years clinical and research experience in the management of TB and related problems. Respected as an authority on the treatment of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, her experience extends to the design and implementation of several self-initiated TB-HIV clinical trials as the Principal and/or co-investigator of the studiesShe serves as the South African Principal Investigator for the Columbia University-Southern African Fogarty AIDS International Training and Research Programme since 2009. She serves on the South African National Advisory Board for MDR –TB since 2010 to date and on the KwaZulu Natal MDR-TB technical advisory committee since 2013.
Her biggest scientific contribution has been as a co-investigator in the SAPiT and STRIDE (A5221) studies which changed not only South African guidelines for the management of patients with TB-HIV coinfection, but also WHO and DHHS guidelines.
She has participated as the Principal Investigator in the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention TB Trials Consortium and was the CAPRISA Principal Investigator for the ACTG studies from 2006-2013. She has published several scientific papers on TB-HIV in high impact journals and is a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa.
Padayatchi serves on several scientific bodies that include, the International Union against TB and Lung Diseases (IUATLD) Ethics Advisory Group, the Board of the South African HIV Clinicians society, the South African National and Provincial Advisory Boards for MDR –TB.
“I am honoured and humbled to be recognised by the South African Research Medical Council and my peers,” said Padayatchi. “TB remains the leading cause of death in South Africa and MDR-TB, in particular, threatens the gains made in HIV. MDR TB remains a serious global threat particularly in impoverished communities constrained countries.”
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13Th Edition Of The Edctp Forum To Take Place In Madrid, Spain, From 5 To 9 April 2027
We are delighted to announce that the 13th edition of the EDCTP Forum will be celebrated on 5-9 April 2027, at IFEMA Palacio Municipal in Madrid, Spain.
The event will be co-hosted by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) under the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the Fundación CSAI (FCSAI) under the Ministry of Health, and is co-organised by Global Health EDCTP3 and the EDCTP Association.
Over the past two decades, the biennial European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Forum has evolved to become a cornerstone event for global health research, bringing together leading voices advancing the fight against infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. It showcases the latest scientific breakthroughs, highlights impactful capacity-building efforts, and creates a space for vibrant cross-regional collaboration.
The EDCTP Forum 2027 expects to convene 1,500 participants and stakeholders, from researchers, universities and clinicians to governments, regional bodies, civil society, regulators, and public and private R&D partners, drawing participation primarily from Africa and Europe.
Dr Tuelo Mogashoa Becomes First Tagendi Phd Graduate
Botswana-born scientist Dr Tuelo Mogashoa, a PhD Fellow in the ‘Addressing Gender and Diversity Regional Gaps in Clinical Research Capacity’ (TAGENDI) programme, has successfully defended her PhD in Molecular Biology (Tuberculosis Genomics) at Stellenbosch University. Her virtual oral examination, held on 12 January 2025, marked the culmination of years of research and training.
Her doctoral thesis, titled “Rifampicin- resistant tuberculosis: an emerging threat to human health in Botswana,” addresses one of the most pressing challenges in TB control.
Dr Mogashoa is the first of seven PhD fellows from the inaugural TAGENDI cohort to complete her doctoral studies. The TAGENDI fellowship, implemented under the Trials of Excellence in Southern Africa (TESA) Network, is part of a dedicated PhD fellowship scheme launched by EDCTP2 in 2020 to support women in health research across sub-Saharan Africa. Coordinated by the EDCTP Networks of Excellence, the initiative received funding from the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (Department of Health and Social Care).
As part of her PhD requirements, Dr Mogashoa was expected to produce four manuscripts, with at least two accepted in peer-reviewed journals. She has exceeded this requirement, publishing three peer-reviewed articles from her doctoral work, with a fourth manuscript currently under review.
Her journey highlights the transformative impact of long-term investment in research training, mentorship, and gender equity. As she moves into the next phase of her career, her work promises to make a meaningful contribution to improving TB diagnosis, treatment, and control.
More information:
- Dr Tuelo Mogashoa Successfully Defends PhD in TB Genomics
- Tuelo’s journey: building Botswana’s capacity for cutting-edge health research
Prof. Novel Chegou Elected As Fellow Of The African Academy Of Sciences
Prof. Novel Chegou, EDCTP Senior Fellow and Acting Head of the Division of Immunology at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, has been elected as a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences. This important achievement recognises his scientific leadership and impactful research on tuberculosis, particularly his work on biomarkers to improve diagnosis and patient care in resource-limited settings.
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