School of Health Sciences

Dr Tope Akinbinu’s study that investigated health promotion tools to reduce the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) earned him a PhD in Optometry. ‘I am elated and am looking forward to imparting the knowledge gained from the programme to younger optometrists,’ he said. His study found that health promotion or educational interventions to reduce myopia progression

Dr Siphamandla Mtambo was awarded a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry for his study on the impact of the H7N9 mutation on anti-influenza drug resistance. ‘Attaining a PhD brings a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and pride. It is a significant achievement and the culmination of hard work, dedication, and research,’ he said. Supervised by Dr Hezekiel

Zimbabwean-born Dr Lynett Erita Masiwa, a practising optometrist at Specsavers-Ireland and owner of a number of private practices in Zimbabwe graduated with a PhD in Optometry. Her study, supervised by Professor Vanessa Raquel Moodley, resulted in a protocol that is key to preventing blindness through the early detection of keratoconus in low resource settings. Keratoconus

Scientist at the Clear Synth Research Centre in India, Dr Merugu Srinivas Reddy, graduated from UKZN with a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry for his study on modern medicine and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The study focused on Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is a major health challenge in Africa and Asia. Reddy successfully synthesised 84 novel compounds to inhibit bacterial

Mr Shikhar Jagunundan who graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Therapy degree summa cum laude, has a passion for combining science with art. Jagunundan, who intends to continue with his postgraduate studies in Dental Therapy at UKZN, believes that hard work, perseverance, making sacrifices and most of all loving one’s career choice led him to this

Not only is the Head of the Stadia and Facilities Unit at eThekwini Municipality, Dr Vusi Mazibuko, the first in his family to obtain a PhD, his daughters also received their degrees during UKZN’s Autumn Graduation ceremonies. The eldest, Thabisile, was awarded a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), while Aphile-Amanzima received her honours in Public Policy

Dr Rayishnee Pillay’s doctoral study in Optometry developed guidelines to assist eye care practitioners with waste disposal and the implementation of sustainable practices in the office space. The Optometry clinical supervisor and ad hoc lecturer was supervised by Professor Rekha Hansraj and Drs Nishanee Rampersad and Ajay Bissessur. The study explored the environmental pathway of

Dr Olusegun Olatunji Ojedoyin who graduated with a PhD in Physiotherapy, investigated the use of physical activity to promote health in children and adults and reduce the burden of non-communicable chronic diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Ojedoyin is a lecturer in the Department of Physiotherapy at Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. Supervised by Professor

Postdoctoral research fellow in the Drug Delivery Research Proto-Unit at UKZN, Dr Mbara Kingsley Chimaeze was awarded a PhD in Pharmacology. Supervised by Professors Peter Owira and Manimbulu Nlooto, his study focused on the management of diabetes mellitus, a global public health problem, using a hybrid plant species that is widely distributed in KwaZulu-Natal. ‘My

‘The PhD journey was very challenging, especially being an international student thousands of miles from home,’ said Dr Elliasu Yakubu Salifu who graduated with a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Supervised by Professor Mahmoud Soliman, his study was entitled, Exploring the Cancer World through In Silico Modelling: A Mechanistic and Structural Perspectives of Selected Oncogenic Targets and Bioactive