Our main research focus is to identify affordable, non-invasive measures of health. More specifically, we study the associations between facial appearance (both shape and colour), direct measures of health and genetic variation. Our previous work, for example, found associations between facial appearance and Body Mass Index (BMI), hormonal profile, and antibody response. Many of these studies were conducted in collaboration with other local and international researchers and we continue to collaborate with various researchers worldwide. 

African Longitudinal Facial Appearance and Health (ALFAH) study

Principal investigator
Prof Vinet Coetzee
ORCiD
Google Scholar

Current Postgraduate students

• Stefan de Jager (PhD)
• Estha Schmidlin (PhD)
• Mr Pieter van der Walt (MIT)
• Ms Michelle Terblanche (MIT)
• Mr Abiodun Modupe (MIT)
• Mr Riaal Domingues (MIT)
• Ms Lize Schoeman (BSc Honours)

Graduated Postgraduate students

• Khutso Phalane (PhD)
• Gustav Gous (PhD)
• Catherine Tribe (MSc)
• Monika Berger (BSc Honours)
• Thoriso Sesing (BSc Honours)
• Salona Bennie (BSc Honours)
• Aston Govender (BSc Honours)
• Catherine Tribe (BSc Honours)

Publications (click here)

Selected local collaborators:

• Dr Engela Honey, Department of Genetics, University of Pretoria
• Dr Helen Steel, Department of Immunology, University of Pretoria
• Prof Riette de Kock, Department of Food Science, University of Pretoria
• Prof Jaco Greeff, Evolution of Interactions group, Department of Genetics, University of Pretoria

Selected international collaborators:

• ​Prof Dave Perrett, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, UK
• Dr Fhionna Moore, School of Psychology, University of Dundee, UK
• Dr Bernard Tiddeman, Department of Consumer Science, Aberyswyth University, UK
• Dr Ian Stephen, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Australia
• Dr Markus Rantala, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Finland
• Prof Dr Dominik Endres, Unit for Theoretical Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Philipps-University Marburg, Germany
• Dr Stella Faerber, Department of General Psychology and Methodology, University of Bamberg, Germany
• Dr Martin Mwangi, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, The Netherlands​
• Prof Mark Shriver, Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvani​a State University, USA

Selected News Articles about our work

• Htxt.Africa. This 3D Camera that will detect Down Syndrome in infants is fully funded
• Times Live. Brighter future for kids with Down Syndrome
• Times Live. To women, a trim male physique may indicate ‘good genes’.
• BBC News. Size zero girls less attractive.

Useful links

• Our Facebook Page: For regular updates on what the group is up to
• Perception lab: Prof Perrett's lab at the University of St Andrews, UK
• Face Research Lab at the University of Glasgow, UK
• Face Research at the University of Stirling, UK