The Faculty of Health Sciences welcomed Professor Vanessa Steenkamp as Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning as of 1 September 2019.

Professor Steenkamp was the Head of UP’s Department of Pharmacology. She has also made a significant contribution to research having published numerous journals with an output of 161 scientific papers, 7 book chapters and 312 conference papers over the years.

Vanessa completed a PhD in Clinical Chemistry at the University of the Witwatersrand, an MSc (Zoology / Biochemistry), a BSc (Hons) Zoology, and a BSc (Zoology) at the University of Pretoria, and also obtained a degree in Higher Education at the University of South Africa.

She is a C1-rated scientist. She has supervised 54 postgraduate students to graduation and is currently supervising 17 students at masters and doctoral level.

Professor Steenkamp is a member of the Executive Committee of the Education and Management Division of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC), previously served as Director of Education of the International Association of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology, and was the recipient of the first travelling lectureship awarded by this Association. She has also received a number of awards nationally and abroad, including the South African Society of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology Educators Award.

The Faculty of Health Sciences looks forward to changing the landscape of Teaching and Learning in South Africa under the leadership of Professor Steenkamp.