Ms. Phaladi Mahlakgane

Miss Phaladi Mahlakgane is a Quality Assurance Coordinator for NHLS Support Services, facilitating ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) implementation. She is a qualified Biotechnologist with a qualification in Project management as well as Operations management. Pearl has over 11years experience in ISO 9001 implementation. Her role in implementing the ISO 9001 standard for support service departments involves training, coaching and mentoring of the system to ensure compliance to the standard.

Mr. Khuliso Ravhualie

Khuliso Ravhuhali is a public health professional and field epidemiologist with expertise in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, training, and health systems research. He serves as an Epidemiologist at the Academic Affairs & Research Unit of the NHLS, supporting research, training, and innovation. He is a peer reviewer for public health journals and sits on academic advisory boards. Khuliso holds a Master of Public Health in Field Epidemiology from the University of Pretoria and is pursuing a PhD in Public Health at the University of Limpopo. He has led Field Epidemiology Training Programmes in South Africa, mentoring numerous trainees in applied epidemiology. As a visiting lecturer at the Universities of Pretoria and Witwatersrand, he teaches outbreak investigation and disease surveillance, and supervises Master’s students. He has served as a peer reviewer for several scientific journals and as an abstract reviewer for a regional scientific conference. His passion lies in strengthening public health systems through applied epidemiology, research, and capacity building.

Mr. James Mabaso

Mr. James Mabaso currently serves as a Project Manager IT in the Information Technology Project Management Office for the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), and is the IT lead for the PathReD Congress, a key event for medical professionals in the region. James has been an integral part of PathReD since its inception and has played a pivotal role.

He has more than 17 years of experience in the IT field, with particular expertise in development, infrastructure and Project Management. His expertise fosters collaboration and teamwork, ensuring the smooth operation and integrity of the Congress. James has a remarkable capacity for strategic thinking and problem-solving, which has earned him the IT lead position. With his leadership and envisioned direction approach, he will continue to propel the PathReD Congress towards greater heights, making him an invaluable asset to both PathReD and the NHLS

Mr. Keith Manganye

Keith Manganye currently serves as the Grant Accountant for the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS). With extensive knowledge of the NHLS finance systems, he has been an integral part of PathReD since its inception. His deep understanding of financial processes and systems has been instrumental in ensuring the smooth operation and financial integrity of the Congress. Keith's leadership is characterized by his unwavering commitment to excellence and his ability to inspire those around him.

He consistently demonstrates a remarkable capacity for strategic thinking and problem-solving, which has earned him the respect and admiration as the Finance Lead. Keith's dedication to fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment has not only driven the success of PathReD but has also empowered his team to achieve their full potential. Under Keith's guidance, PathReD has navigated numerous financial challenges with confidence and precision. His visionary approach and steadfast leadership continue to propel the PathReD Congress towards greater heights, making him an invaluable asset to both PathReD and the NHLS.

Mrs. Sipokazi Thompson

Mrs. Sipokazi Thompson is the Academic Affairs and Research Office Coordinator and one of the visionary minds behind the PathReD Congress concept. Since its inception, she has served as the Marketing Lead and Liaison, playing a pivotal role in shaping the congress’s identity and establishing strong partnerships between PathReD and industry stakeholders.

With a strong background in academic administration, research coordination, and strategic marketing, she has been instrumental in positioning PathReD as a key platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration between academia and industry. Her ability to cultivate trust and meaningful engagement across various sectors has significantly contributed to the congress’s growth and impact.

Beyond her role in marketing and liaison, Mrs Thompson is dedicated to advancing academic excellence, research development, and intellectual leadership within her field. Her commitment to knowledge-sharing and strategic relationship-building continues to drive PathReD’s mission forward.

Mrs. Leyya Essop

Leyya Essop has an MSc(Medicine) in Virology and PGDip in Health Economics, with more than 10 years’ experience in the research environment. In addition to co-authoring scientific publications and conference presentations, she has served as a UN IAEA Fellow.

Leyya has a keen interest in Universal Health Coverage and innovative training solutions. She is currently the Research, Development and Training Officer in the NHLS’ Academic Affairs and Research office where she assists with AARMS reviews, IP related projects, and manages the NHLS Project ECHO platform.

Mr. Themba Mabhena

Mr. Themba Mabhena is a highly skilled Grants Program Administrator with over 10 years of rich experience in overseeing grant-funded research programs and projects within the Academic Affairs and Research Office. Mr. Mabhena has been an indispensable driving force behind the PathRed Congress, significantly shaping its ongoing success since its founding in 2015.

His exceptional coordination and communication skills have been crucial in maintaining the seamless operation and credibility of the Congress, making him an invaluable asset to the NHLS. With his innovative vision and remarkable leadership, he will elevate the PathReD Congress to unprecedented success.

Dr. Babatyi Malope-Kgokong

Dr. Babatyi Innocentia Malope-Kgokong is a distinguished academic leader and researcher, serving as the Head of Academic Affairs and Research at the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS). With a PhD in Community Health from the University of the Witwatersrand, a Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Policies from the University of London, and an MSc (Cum Laude) and BSc in Medical Laboratory Sciences from the University of Limpopo, she provides strategic leadership in academic and research endeavours, fostering collaborations and advancing the organization's research agenda.

As a renowned expert in her field, Dr. Malope-Kgokong has held lecturing positions at the University of Limpopo and University of Johannesburg and has research experience in epidemiology and data management at the Clinical HIV Research Unit and National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Her research profile boasts numerous peer-reviewed articles in reputable scientific journals, with over 1500 citations, an h-index of 15, and an i10 index of 18. In addition to her research expertise, she has a proven track record of bringing together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to facilitate knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation.

Dr. Malope-Kgokong's academic service extends to her membership on the Executive Committee of the National Science and Technology Forum, the National Health Research Committee, the Health Professional Council of South Africa - Committee for Medical Scientists Task Team, and various other committees and task teams.

Mr. Gcinokwakhe Ngcobo

Mr. Gcinokwakhe Ngcobo is a Medical Scientist registered with the HPCSA, specialising in Clinical Biochemistry. He holds an MMED in Pharmacology and an LLM in Medical Law, along with certifications in PRINCE2 (7th Ed.), Lean Six Sigma, Enterprise Risk Management, and Project Management. Mr. Ngcobo currently serves at the NHLS, Molecular Laboratory, Green Point Complex, he drives innovation through integrated quality systems, workflow optimisation, and regulatory compliance. As Founder and Chairperson of the African Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS), Mr. Ngcobo champions professional development, business development, and research ethics. He led the formation of the AIMS Health Research Ethics Committee and has pioneered creative funding models, strategic partnerships, and high-impact initiatives aimed at transforming the role of medical scientists in Africa’s health and innovation landscape.