Dr. Ramokone Maphoto
Dr. Ramokone Maphoto is a senior pathologist specialized in Clinical Virology with over 20 years of experience in clinical practice and diagnostic virology. Currently based at Dr George Mukhari Academic Business Unit and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. A fellow of College of Pathology, Dr has extensive expertise in Clinical/HIV Medicine/ infectious diseases/Vaccinology/ Pathology practice, teaching and training, research and development and laboratory management. She has Diploma in HIV Management, Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and PG Diploma in Health Economics. Completed WBA-SWAT training with CMSA/SMU. Her career spans clinical service delivery, training of medical professionals, and leading research projects focused on viral infections, epidemiology, and laboratory innovations. Dr. Maphoto has contributed to capacity building through mentorship, workshops, and academic teaching, while advancing research that informs evidence- based practice and public health policy. Previously served in ministerial advisory committees as a secretariat and later as a member and chairperson of NPEC (National Polio Expert Committee). Through years in Virology, Dr Maphoto has co- executed research projects, involved in clinical trials and presented at conferences and congresses. She remains committed to strengthening diagnostic virology and improving patient outcomes through innovation and collaboration.
Dr Nkosiphendule Xhakaza
Dr Nkosiphendule Xhakaza is a Senior lecturer in the department of Anatomy and histology at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. He has 22 years of lecturing experience in gross anatomy, embryology and histology. He has successfully supervised several honors students and fifteen masters students, and currently supervising five masters students and four PhD students. He has published papers in international peer reviewed journals and has had several national and international conference presentations. He has received several research funding opportunities amongst which is the SASUF virtual collaborate funding where he established collaboration with researchers in Uppasal University of Sweden.
Dr. Nare Masola
Dr. Nare Judy Masola is a Lecturer at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. She currently coordinates the departmental research and publications committee at the university. Dr. Masola is serving on the Preliminary American Black Psychologist Association and Forum of African Psychology Local Organizing Committee (ABPSI-FAP LOC) for the upcoming 1st annual international conference in South Africa in 2028. Additionally, Dr. Masola serves as an external examiner and moderator for national board examinations for Registered Counsellors at the Health Professional Council of South Africa. Dr. Masola has been invited to peer review articles in various journals. She has also served as an external examiner for mini dissertations, full dissertations, and research reports from various universities. Dr. Masola is an award-winning emerging researcher in the school of Medicine at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. She has published around 10 articles. Dr. Masola’s publications and supervision focus primarily on African-centred psychology, culture and mental health, and medical psychology.
Dr Soné van der Walt
Dr Soné van der Walt is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Human Anatomy and Histology at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. Her research lies in biological and forensic anthropology, focusing on population-specific standards for biological profiling and facial approximation using advanced radiographic techniques. She also contributes to clinical anatomy research aimed at improving surgical outcomes in South African populations. Dr van der Walt has successfully supervised numerous postgraduate students, including eight MSc graduates, and is currently supervising MSc and PhD candidates. She has published in accredited peer-reviewed journals and serves as a council member of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa.
Dr Thabisile Ndlovu
Dr Ndlovu holds a Senior Lecturer position in the Pharmacology and Therapeutics department. She earned her PhD in Pharmacology from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in 2023. With over 20 years in research and 12 years of teaching and learning experience within the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Dr Ndlovu has successfully supervised and mentored postgraduate students at both Master’s and Honours levels. Her research spans over two decades and focuses on nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems and biological molecules derived from renewable resources. She has published nine peer-reviewed articles in accredited scientific journals and has presented her work at international conferences. She currently serves as a reviewer of the Undergraduate Research Health Journal, Pharmacology Department Research Ethics Committee and Adjudication Committee. Dr Ndlovu was previously awarded a R500 000 research and development grant in recognition of her work. Beyond her academic responsibilities, she is committed to mentoring SMU graduates and postgraduates by creating opportunities for exposure and engagement in pharmacology research. She is a full member of the South African Society of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (SASBCP) and also played a key role in the organizing committee for the 57th Annual Conference of the SASBCP in 2024.
Dr. Gededzha
Dr. Gededzha is a senior lecturer in the Department of Virology at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. She has previously served as the acting head, senior medical scientist and researcher in the Division of Immunology at the National Health Laboratory Service and the University of the Witwatersrand. She has a PhD in medical virology from the University of Limpopo, Medunsa Campus, with a special interest in respiratory, immunology and bioinformatics. Dr. Gededzha’s research portfolio spans molecular epidemiology, host-pathogen interactions, and diagnostic assay validation for high-burden viruses. She has over 30 peer-reviewed publications and has trained and supervised intern medical scientists and postgraduate students in immunology, virology and molecular biology on research projects covering diverse topics. Dr Gededzha served as an academic editor for the PLOS ONE journal and has been a member of various conference organising committee including the South African Immunology Society and PATHRED.
Ntebogeng Kgokong
Ms Ntebogeng Kgokong is a Senior Medical Biological Scientist in the Department of Anatomical Pathology, where she combines her expertise in laboratory science with a strong commitment to research and academic mentorship. She supervises MSc, MMed, and Honours students at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, contributing to the development of future scientists and healthcare professionals. She holds a Master of Science in Medicine (MSc Med) degree from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University). Her research interests lie in molecular anatomical pathology, with a particular focus on cancer studies. She is currently pursuing a PhD in the molecular pathology of colorectal cancer, reflecting her dedication to advancing knowledge in this critical area of healthcare. Ms Kgokong is especially passionate about promoting equal representation of Black patients in molecular research. She advocates for inclusive studies that can better inform personalised therapies, aiming to improve cancer outcomes and ensure equitable healthcare advancements for underrepresented populations.