NRF ratings reflect the quality, impact, and international recognition of South African researchers. At the University of Pretoria’s 25th Annual Academic Achievers’ Awards on 23 October 2025, 18 newly B-rated scholars were honoured, including two from the Faculty of Health Sciences. Professor Wanda Markotter, director of UP’s Centre for Viral Zoonoses, is recognised internationally for her One Health research on emerging infectious diseases and pandemic prevention, while Professor Bernardo Rapoport, extraordinary professor in Immunology, is acclaimed for his work in cancer care, immuno-oncology, and groundbreaking clinical trials.

Professor Wanda Markotter is the director of the Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria. She occupies two research chairs: DSTI-NRF South African Research Chair in infectious diseases of animals (Zoonoses) and a chair in People, Health and Places at the Future Africa Platform, where she is also the current director.

She has been a virologist leading a successful research programme since 2007 entitled Biosurveillance and Ecology of Emerging Zoonoses (BEEZ) with a strong focus on bat pathogens. Research is not just focused on detection and understanding diversity but follows a One Health approach to understanding and preventing spillover.

She is also leading broader One Health national and international initiatives focusing on preventing pandemics, including active participation in the science-policy interface. International recognition has been demonstrated by her selection as co-chair of the One Health High-Level Expert Panel, with several high-level political appearances and discussions to promote One Health as an approach to prevent pandemics.

Outputs include over 100 publications, presentations at international conferences, press and education contributions, articles, and appearances on radio and television. The quality of her outputs is demonstrated by the citations of domain-specific papers focused on bat pathogens and highly cited papers in the broader One Health domain. She contributes to capacity building; more than 60 postgraduate students have graduated under her supervision. Several awards, including the University of Pretoria Science Communication Award in 2021, have recognised her research.

Professor Markotter has received a B1 rating from the NRF.

Professor Bernardo Rapoport is an extraordinary professor in the Department of Immunology at the University of Pretoria. He practices as a medical oncologist in private practice at The Medical Oncology Centre of Rosebank in Johannesburg. He serves as an examiner for the Medical Oncology Certification at the College of Medicine of South Africa.

His research efforts have focused on cancer supportive care, breast and lung cancer, melanoma, immuno-oncology, and molecular targets.

Professor Rapoport has been involved in numerous pivotal trials investigating ground-breaking therapies for solid tumours, including breast cancer and malignant melanoma. He has delivered more than 200 lectures at both local and international conferences, including American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), and South African Society of Medical Oncology (SASMO).

He is a reviewer for high-impact scientific journals, including The Lancet Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Annals of Oncology, and Supportive Care in Cancer. He currently serves on the editorial boards of Frontiers in Oncology, Frontiers in Pharmacology, and Frontiers in Immunology.

Professor Rapoport has authored and co-authored various book chapters and has published more than 160 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, including The Lancet Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Annals of Oncology, Journal of Global Oncology, Journal of Cancer, Supportive Care in Cancer, Cancers, Translational Oncology, and Frontiers in Immunology.

Professor Rapoport has received a B2 rating from the NRF.