African Researchers Magazine (ISSN: 2714-2787) – premier source for latest African research, science and scholarly news

Tag: TB diagnostics

  • September 2025: Professor Dingani Moyo – African Male Researcher of the Month

    September 2025: Professor Dingani Moyo – African Male Researcher of the Month


    Illustrative Image: September 2025: Professor Dingani Moyo – African Male Researcher of the Month
    Image Source & Credit: Occupational Health Southern Africa
    Ownership and Usage Policy

    Professor Dingani Moyo is a distinguished academic, physician, and global leader in occupational and environmental health. He currently serves as an associate professor at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Zimbabwe and an honorary senior lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. With over three decades of medical and academic experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in shaping occupational health policy, research, and practice across Africa and the globe.

    Early Life and Education

    Born in Gweru, in Zimbabwe’s Midlands Province, and raised in a rural village in Zhombe near Kwekwe, Professor Moyo’s journey is a testament to determination and excellence. He graduated as a medical doctor (MBChB) from the University of Zimbabwe in 1994, completing his internship at Mpilo Central Hospital and the United Bulawayo Hospitals in Bulawayo. He later held medical positions at Gweru Provincial Hospital before embarking on a career-defining journey in occupational health at Zimasco Pvt Ltd, the country’s largest chrome mining company at the time.

    This experience laid the foundation for an illustrious career that saw him lead health services in Botswana’s Debswana Diamond Mining Company and Norilsk Nickel’s Tati Nickel Mining Company before returning to Zimasco as Group Health Services Manager. His work in corporate occupational health inspired him to pursue advanced training and professional qualifications globally.

    Academic and Professional Qualifications

    Driven by a relentless quest for knowledge and professional excellence, Professor Moyo obtained several prestigious qualifications, including:

    Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (FRCP)

    Fellow of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine of Ireland (FFOM)

    Member of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine of Ireland (MFOM)

    Master (Hons) of Occupational Health and Safety, University of Newcastle, Australia

    Master of Applied Health Services Management, University of Newcastle, Australia

    Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), University of Zimbabwe

    These qualifications underpin his international recognition as a thought leader in occupational health.

    Contributions to Occupational Health and Research

    Professor Moyo’s impact extends far beyond clinical practice. His leadership has been instrumental in strengthening occupational health systems in Africa, particularly within mining and high-risk industries.

    International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH): He was the first ICOH National Secretary for Zimbabwe (2012–2015) and has twice served on the ICOH Board (2015–2018, 2022–2024). He currently contributes to the ICOH Working Group on Modernisation of Processes and Practices.

    OSHAfrica: As a member of the Board of Trustees, he leads the Education and Competency Improvement Scientific Committee, driving capacity building across the continent.

    Regional Development: Under the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), he developed mine health and safety SOPs for TB, HIV, and occupational lung diseases across nine countries. Under AUDA-NEPAD, he crafted frameworks for occupational safety, health, and environmental protection for artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs), including national OHSE policies, handbooks, medical surveillance guidelines, and communication strategies for countries such as Lesotho and Malawi.

    Training and Mentorship: He has trained healthcare personnel in spirometry, audiometry, TB, and OLD diagnostics, while also championing postgraduate training. He is spearheading the development of a Master of Medicine degree in Occupational Medicine at NUST to build the next generation of specialists.

    Research and Publications

    Professor Moyo has authored over 50 peer-reviewed research papers and more than 60 technical reports. His research explores the health effects of asbestos exposure, occupational risks in artisanal and small-scale mining, and mitigation strategies for occupational lung diseases. His studies, conducted in collaboration with global partners such as the German Environment Agency, Wellcome Trust, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China, underscore the global relevance of his work.

    Awards and Global Recognition

    Professor Moyo’s contributions to the advancement of occupational health have earned him international acclaim. In 2024, he achieved two historic milestones:

    Elected Fellow of the Collegium Ramazzini – an exclusive international academy of no more than 180 experts worldwide, recognized for their integrity and distinguished contributions to occupational and environmental health.

    Double Award from the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM), UK:

    Outstanding Contribution to the Global Development of Occupational Health

    Outstanding Contribution to Occupational Health Research

    These accolades affirm his position as one of the leading figures in occupational health on the world stage.

    Leadership Vision

    Today, Professor Moyo continues to consolidate his legacy by focusing on capacity development, mentorship, and regional policy frameworks. His vision is to create sustainable, context-specific occupational health systems that protect workers in Africa’s most hazardous industries while aligning with global health standards.

    Conclusion

    Professor Dingani Moyo’s career is a remarkable blend of clinical expertise, academic excellence, international leadership, and unwavering advocacy for workers’ health and safety. From his beginnings in rural Zimbabwe to global recognition as a Fellow of the Collegium Ramazzini, he embodies a rare commitment to advancing occupational health. His work continues to inspire, train, and empower professionals across Africa and beyond, making him not only an ambassador for occupational medicine but also a pioneer shaping the future of global health and safety.

  • August 2025: Professor Novel Njweipi Chegou – African Male Researcher of the Month

    August 2025: Professor Novel Njweipi Chegou – African Male Researcher of the Month


    Illustrative Image: August 2025: Professor Novel Njweipi Chegou – African Male Researcher of the Month
    Image Source & Credit: SAMRC
    Ownership and Usage Policy

    African Researchers AwardAugust 2025: Professor Novel Njweipi Chegou – African Male Researcher of the Month

    Overview

    Professor Novel Njweipi Chegou is an internationally acclaimed Cameroonian molecular biologist and immunologist whose groundbreaking work in tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics has placed him at the forefront of global TB research. He is currently a senior researcher and head of the TB Diagnostic Biomarkers Laboratory within the Stellenbosch University Immunology Research Group (SU-IRG), where he leads one of five independent research laboratories.

    Prof. Chegou’s research primarily focuses on the development of innovative diagnostic tools for both pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB, with a particular emphasis on biomarker discovery and the development of point-of-care testing platforms suitable for use in low-resource settings.

    Education and Early Career

    Originally from the Anglophone region of Cameroon, Prof. Chegou began his academic journey at the University of Buea, where he trained as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. Driven by a desire to address pressing health issues in Africa, he pursued postgraduate studies in South Africa at Stellenbosch University, where he obtained his MSc and PhD in Health Sciences. His MSc research, which was later upgraded to a PhD, marked the beginning of a focused career in TB immunology.

    During his doctoral studies, he identified and patented a QuantiFERON supernatant biosignature capable of distinguishing between active and latent TB infection—a major advancement in TB diagnostics. This work laid the foundation for his continuing efforts in biomarker-based diagnostic innovation.

    Research Focus

    Prof. Chegou has spent nearly two decades dedicated to understanding and improving the way TB is diagnosed and managed. His work is particularly focused on:

    • Biomarker discovery for TB diagnosis

    • Monitoring of treatment response in TB patients

    • Point-of-care diagnostics for rural and under-resourced communities

    • Diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB, including TB meningitis in children

    • Immunological and microbiota-related factors influencing TB disease

    He has also pioneered animal model studies to explore the link between gut microbiota composition and TB pathogenesis, as well as how bacterial polysaccharides may affect TB treatment response.

    One of his current focal areas is the diagnosis of TB meningitis in children, a notoriously difficult form of TB to detect early. His lab is working to refine existing biomarkers into diagnostic tools that could be deployed outside tertiary hospitals, significantly reducing delays in diagnosis and preventing irreversible neurological damage in children.

    Awards and Recognitions

    Prof. Chegou’s innovative contributions have been recognized both nationally and internationally. Some of his most significant accolades include:

    • Royal Society Africa Prize (2022):
      Awarded by the UK’s national science academy, this prestigious prize recognises Prof. Chegou’s innovative contributions to TB diagnostics and his impact on African science. It is one of the highest honours in scientific achievement and places him alongside some of the world’s most influential scientists.

    • SAMRC Silver Scientific Achievement Award (2019):
      From the South African Medical Research Council, this award recognises his outstanding scientific contributions to TB research.

    • UNESCO-MARS Young Researcher Award (2015):
      Recognised at the Merck Africa Research Summit for his excellence in scientific innovation and dedication to health challenges in Africa.

    • NSTF-South32 Awards Finalist (2019):
      Acknowledged for his significant research contributions to the scientific and technological advancement of South Africa.

    • SU Rector’s Award for General Performance (2015):
      Honoured for academic and research excellence at Stellenbosch University.

    • Best Honours Student in South Africa (2005):
      Awarded by the South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

    Institutional Roles and Collaborations

    At Stellenbosch University, Prof. Chegou plays a dual role as both an academic mentor and research leader. He supervises a wide range of postgraduate students, many of whom are from underrepresented African regions, thereby nurturing the next generation of African scientists.

    His work has led to multiple international collaborations, including with organizations involved in the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), through which he has served as a Senior Fellow, and with institutions across Europe and North America.

    Impact and Vision

    Prof. Chegou’s research is driven by a commitment to solving real-world problems in global health. His contributions are not limited to the lab; they aim to translate scientific discovery into accessible health tools that save lives, especially in resource-limited communities where the burden of TB remains high.

    As he reflects on the significance of winning the Royal Society Africa Prize, he notes:

    “It sends out a message that somebody out there sees what you are doing, and that they value what you are doing.”

    Prof. Chegou hopes that the award will amplify awareness about TB, foster new partnerships, and open doors for increased funding and broader dissemination of the diagnostic tools his team is developing.

    Legacy and Continuing Work

    As a National Research Foundation (NRF) B-rated Scientist, Prof. Chegou is recognized as an internationally acclaimed researcher with high impact in his field. His legacy lies not only in his scientific contributions but also in his mentorship, leadership, and his role in shaping Africa’s research capacity in infectious diseases.

    Looking ahead, his ambition is clear:
    To develop reliable, affordable, and rapid diagnostic tools that can change the course of TB detection and treatment, especially for vulnerable populations such as children and the rural poor.

    In Summary:
    Prof. Novel Njweipi Chegou stands as a beacon of excellence in African science—a visionary researcher whose work is transforming TB diagnostics globally while championing local innovation, capacity building, and equitable healthcare solutions.