Speaker : DR ISRAEL AGAKU-CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER –CHISQUARES

Dr. Agaku Israel is an adjunct clinical professor at the University of California in San Francisco. For over 10 years, he served as a senior scientist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He completed his dental training at the University of Ibadan, and his public health residency at the U.S. National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. He also completed the prestigious Epidemic Intelligence Service program at CDC. He holds a master's degree in Public Health from Harvard University and two PhDs: one in Epidemiology and the other in Health Systems. Dr. Agaku is the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Tobacco Induced Diseases. He has authored over 160 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and has also served as an associate editor for the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report. Dr. Agaku is the founder, CEO, and Chief Scientific Officer of Chisquares, a startup focused on building scientific tools of the future.

Workshop Synopsis

This session will introduce a new cutting-edge platform that provides end-to-end support for all aspects of survey design, implementation, analysis, and reporting. At the end of the session, participants will learn how to use the Chisquares platform to do the following:

• Calculate sample size for surveys and other study types
• Draw a representative sample instantaneously to ensure their results are generalizable
• Design and launch both cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys
• Collect data in offline mode on electronic devices in areas without internet
• Generate methodology and analysis reports with just a single click
• Create calibration weights in minutes for use in analysis to make the data more representative

Speaker : MISS MAHLATSE MOKWENA -POSTGRADUATE STUDENT ADVISOR

Mahlatse Mokwena is a Counselling Psychologist registered as an independent psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). She holds a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Pretoria and a Professional Chef diploma from Capsicum Culinary Studio.Currently, Mahlatse serves as a Health Sciences Postgraduate Student Advisor. Her extensive experience includes roles in the student support and counselling unit at the University of Pretoria, as well as positions at the Tshwane University of Technology, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Stabilis Rehabilitation Centre, Jacaranda Children’s Home, and Pretoria Girls High School.In addition to her professional roles, Mahlatse is the co-founder of Honest Conversations, an organization dedicated to fostering healing through dialogue. The organization’s mission is to transform the world one uncomfortable conversation at a time, promoting growth through learning, unlearning, and relearning.

Workshop Synopsis

In today’s fast-paced academic landscape, resilience is crucial in academia. The workshop, "Building Resilience: Thriving in a Demanding Academic Environment," provides tools and strategies to navigate academic pressures effectively.Key points include understanding resilience and its psychological and physiological aspects, identifying common academic stressors, and developing a resilient mindset. Practical strategies for managing stress, maintaining mental health, and improving time management will be covered. The workshop also emphasizes creating supportive environments through faculty and peer support and addresses resilience in research and teaching.Takeaways include practical tools for enhancing personal resilience, strategies for fostering a supportive academic community, and insights into managing academic stressors effectively. Join this interactive workshop to learn how to thrive in a demanding academic environment

Workshop Title :  SAMRC Research Funding and Opportunities

Speakers : DR  ABEDA DAWOOD - DIVISION MANAGER: RESEARCH CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT  

                   DR LINDOKUHLE NDLANDLA -  PROJECT MANAGER : POSTGRADUATE/SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAMMES 

Dr Abeda Dawood is the Division Manager: Research Capacity Development at the South African Medical Research Council. The SAMRC's Division of Research Capacity Development (RCD) is a well-established research funding division that runs streamlined funding programmes to support the growth of health research capacity, by offering multiple strategic capacity development grants in the national research priorities and directly contributing to National Targets for research capacity development as well as transformation.The RCD Division runs two funding portfolios namely: the Research Grants Portfolio and the Scholarship Portfolio. Over the years the SAMRC RCD funding has been a great opportunity for funding early to mid-career researchers and postgraduate students, mainly PhDs at universities and research institutions with a particular focus on historically disadvantaged individuals as well as institutions previously constrained by inadequate access to resources to strengthen capacity development and ensure the ability to produce scientific knowledge for the advancement of health.Prior to the SAMRC, Abeda has worked in various capacities, academic, funding administration, and managerial for the National Research Foundation of South Africa, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, the University of Pretoria, Nelson Mandela University, and the Tshwane University of Technology. She has a PhD in Zoology and MSc in Biochemistry from the University of the Western Cape, and an interest in molecular systematics. She is passionate about research capacity and postgraduate student development and is committed to education in SA.

Dr Lindokuhle Ndlandla is a Programme Manager in the Division of Research Capacity Development (RCD). RCD focuses on developing the next generation of health science researchers for the long-term sustainability of health and clinical research in South Africa with a special focus on the Early Career Scientists.Dr Lindokuhle provides training and develops resources on all aspects of research capacity development. She oversees pre- and post-award administration processes for postgraduates (PhD and MSc) training and development, including review of policies and monitoring and evaluation of national research capacity development programs. Since joining the SAMRC, Dr Lindokuhle has contributed to growing strategic capacity building programs for national stakeholders such as Biostatistics and Vaccinology programs and, increasing the number of SAMRC supported health scientists in historically disadvantaged institutions. 
 
Prior to joining the SAMRC, she worked as a researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research on a variety of projects ranging from development of recombinant monoclonal antibodies, development of chitosan-based antimicrobial materials and titanium beneficiation for medical applications. She holds a doctorate in Biochemistry from the University of Pretoria and maintains a strong interest in research and development and strategic innovation.

Workshop Title :  Intellectual Property, Innovation and Contracts Management

Speaker :  Advocate LAWRENCE BALOYI 

Advocate Lawrence Baloyi is a remarkable individual with a diverse background in science,engineering, and law. He is an alumnus of the University of Pretoria, having graduated from there. After practicing law for a decade, he transitioned to the academic sphere, joining the University of Pretoria in December 2011. Specializing in intellectual property law, Advocate Baloyi plays a pivotal role in the commercialization of intellectual property. His proficiency extends to the drafting and negotiation of complex Commercial contracts and research and data management contracts, underscoring his ability to navigate the intricate legal aspects of cutting-edge research and innovation. At the university, Advocate Baloyi holds the position of Head of the Department of Research and Innovation. In this role, he oversees research contracting and technology transfer, showcasing his commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering innovation. His impact is tangible in the management of a substantial portfolio of around 100 patents and the nurturing of several start-up ventures. This reflects his dedication to translating academic research into practical applications and real-world solutions. In addition to his technology transfer responsibilities, Advocate Baloyi is actively involved in the business world. He is a founding board member of TuksNovation, a clear indication of his commitment to driving innovation and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, his service on various corporate boards highlights his broader contributions to the business community. Advocate Lawrence Baloyi's journey from law practice to technology transfer and his multifaceted involvement in research contracting, innovation and business demonstrate a well-rounded and accomplished professional with a significant impact on the intersection of law, science and technology.

Workshop Title :  Introduction to STATA 

Speaker :  PROF  ALFRED MUSEKIWA- HEAD OF DIVISOION: HEALTH SCIENCES AT THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH SYSTEMS AND PUBLIC HEALTH 

                 DR KUHLULA MALULEKE -SENIOR LECTURE IN EPIDEMIOLOGY AND BIOSTATISTICS AT THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH SYSTEMS AND PUBLIC HEALTH

Prof Alfred Musekiwa is currently an Associate Professor and Head of Division: Health Measurement Sciences at the School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa. He completed his Biostatistics Post-Doc Fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2019. He has biostatistical experience in the design and analysis of clinical trials and have vast experience working as a biostatistician at research organizations including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Right to Care, Wits RHI, and South African MRC. He is an established researcher with more than 90 publications in international, peer-reviewed, high- impact journals (Google H-index 29 and over 3,500 citations). His research focus area is in systematic reviews and meta-analysis. He is currently supervising many postgraduate students in public health and epidemiology including Masters, PhD's and Post-Docs.

Dr Kuhlula Maluleke is a Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa. She earned her Masters in Epidemiology in 2018 from Stellenbosch University and completed her PhD in 2023 at the University of Pretoria. She has experience in designing and analysing a wide range of epidemiological studies. As part of her postdoctoral training, she served as a biostatistics pre-screener at the Faculty of Health Sciences Research Support Hub, enhancing the efficiency of biostatistical services for staff and students. In this role, she performed sample size calculations and conducted descriptive and inferential data analyses. Dr Maluleke currently supervises PhD and Masters students in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Public Health.

Workshop Synopsis

Join this dynamic “Introduction to Stata” workshop and unlock the key essentials of data analysis!

Perfect for beginners and those looking to enhance their skills, the workshop covers all aspects of utilising Stata effectively. Learn to navigate Stata’s interface with ease. Master the art of automation using do-files to streamline repetitive tasks and ensure reproducibility in your analyses. Explore various methods of importing data into Stata. Dive deep into data exploration techniques, uncovering valuable insights and patterns within your datasets. Discover the art of data visualization, crafting compelling graphs and visualizations to effectively communicate your findings. Additionally, gain foundational knowledge in basic statistical analysis, empowering you to extract meaningful insights from your data