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Anatomical Pathology WorkShop Chemical Pathology WorkShop Human Genetics WorkShop Chemical Pathology Roundtables MicroBiology WorkShop Virology WorkShop Public Health WorkShop Research & Development WorkShop Quality Assurance HPCSA CMSA
Dr. Abrie van Wyk
Anatomical Pathology
Dr. Abrie van Wyk
Dr. Nosipho Thobakgale
Anatomical Pathology
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and NHLS
Dr. Nosipho Thobakgale
Dr. Jason Harry

Dr. Jason Harry
Prof. Meshack Bida

Prof. Meshack Bida
Dr. Benny Mosoane

Dr. Benny Mosoane
Dr. Brendon Price

Dr. Brendon Price
Dr. Brendon Price

Dr. Brendon Price is a consultant anatomical pathologist with a strong interest in artificial intelligence and machine learning in cancer diagnostics. He completed a certificate in AI through the University of Paris and is the Principal Investigator of PATHCORE, a multidisciplinary project creating a tumour tissue repository for advanced cancer research, including AI-driven analysis. His work aims to integrate genomics, proteomics, and computational biology, particularly for breast, cervical, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers. He collaborates across departments such as Bioinformatics and Radiation Oncology and has received research funding from the UCT Cancer Research Initiative and Emerging Researcher Award.

Dr. Benny Mosoane

Dr. Benny Mosoane is a pathologist and academic based in South Africa, with expertise spanning diagnostic pathology, cancer research, and medical education. His clinical practice is rooted in histopathology and cytopathology, where he contributes to advancing diagnostic accuracy and improving patient outcomes in a public-sector setting. Dr Mosoane’s research interests focus on the molecular and immunohistochemical characterisation of cancers, placental pathology, and cancer exposmics. His work bridges laboratory diagnostics with translational research, aiming to strengthen precision medicine approaches and address pressing cancer disparities in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to his clinical and research contributions, Dr Mosoane is actively engaged in teaching and mentoring pathology trainees. He plays a coordinating role in national capacity-building initiatives, including the ECHO programme for pathologists in South Africa, and contributes to the Pan African Cancer Research Institute (PACRI), fostering collaboration across disciplines and regions to advance cancer research and care.

Prof. Meshack Bida

Prof. Meshack Bida is Professor and Head the Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of Pretoria, Faculty of Health Sciences, and National Health Laboratory Service, Tshwane Academic Division. Within the National Health Laboratory Services, Prof Bida has also served as the chairperson of Anatomical Pathology Expert Committee of the National Health Laboratory Services.Prof Bida is also currently the councillor in the College of Anatomical Pathology within the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa. He is a member of Pan-African Cancer Research Institute (PACRI) management committee.His previous research work has been in HPV-related malignancies, both gynaecologic and non-gynaecologic. He has been part of the international network of HPV research and has been invited to speak in WAKA symposia both nationally and internationally in collaboration with the University of Antwerp. His current research work is on tumour microenvironment of cutaneous melanoma. He has authored and co-authored several papers and book chapters.Prof Bida has kin interest in strengthening laboratory systems as part of Total Quality Management, as well as teaching and training.

Dr. Jason Harry

Dr. Jason Harry is a consultant anatomical pathologist at Lancet Laboratories KZN. He obtained his undergraduate medical degree from the University of Cape Town and completed his specialist training in anatomical pathology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. His diagnostic and academic interests encompass the full spectrum of general surgical pathology and cytopathology, with particular emphasis on paediatric and perinatal pathology, urogenital and gynaecological pathology, and bone and soft tissue pathology. He is also passionate about undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. Dr Harry is committed to diagnostic excellence and the integration of pathology within multidisciplinary clinical care.

Dr. Abrie van Wyk

Dr. Abrie van Wyk, MBChB, MMed (Anat Path), is a consultant pathologist in the Division of Anatomical Pathology at NHLS Tygerberg and Stellenbosch University. He obtained his medical degree with distinction from the University of Pretoria in 2003 and completed a MMed in Anatomical Pathology with distinction at Stellenbosch University in 2011. Dr. Van Wyk developed his expertise through roles at the NHLS in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) and a private pathology practice in Cape Town before returning to NHLS Tygerberg in 2015. He has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications and has a particular interest in genitourinary and gastrointestinal pathology.

Dr. Nosipho Thobakgale

Dr. Nosipho Thobakgale is a dedicated histopathologist in DGM (SMU) and a fellow of college of pathologist (FC Path) in anatomical pathology since 2022, currently a senior lecturer at SMU. She is deeply committed to advancing her knowledge in cytopathology and molecular pathology. She is currently enrolled with University of Stellenbosch for MSc in cytopathology program completing in December 2025.

Dr. Thumeka Jalavu

Dr. Thumeka Jalavu is a consultant Chemical Pathologist at the National Health Laboratory Service and University of Stellenbosch, at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town. After completing her undergraduate MBChB in 2009, internship and community service in 2012, she worked as a Medical Officer for eighteen months in the department of Medicine at Livingstone Hospital, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. She graduated from the University of Stellenbosch with an MMed in Chemical Pathology in 2019 after receiving her FCPath (SA) Chem in the same year from the colleges of medicine of South Africa (CMSA). Her main research interests are in Evidence based laboratory medicine, Multiple Myeloma, pre-analytical phase, chronic kidney disease, Biological Variation and Point of Care testing. She is the deputy chair of the NHLS Chemistry Expert Committee (CEC) and chair of the Chemistry Technology assessment subcommittee of the CEC, chair of the Stellenbosch Chemical Pathology Post Graduate Committee, and a member of the Tygerberg/Groote Schuur Department of Pathology Audit committee. She is involved in teaching of undergraduate medical students and training of registrars and intern scientist within the Tygerberg Division.

Dr. Khine

Dr. Khine is a principle chemical pathologist working at the Green Point complex NHLS laboratories. Her daily work includes verification of quality checks and patient results, adding interpretive comments and authorisation of final results. She also receives queries from the clinicians in the Western Cape region and request of assistance from the peripheral laboratories through the clinical pathologists of the region. On day to day basis, she is consulted for solving problems in areas of internal quality control performance, external quality assurance performance, proficiency testing, instrument errors, testing disruptions, referral network in the region, changes in test repertoire, automation of processes, SOP updating or reviews, and instrument tender specifications, evaluations and verification of instruments and test kits. She is a member of Chemistry Expert Committee, Education sub-committee of CEC, CTAC (Chemistry Technical Advisory Committee), and Chemistry PTS advisory panel of NHLS. She also oversees and manages the WC and NC regional CPD program for the technologists, and technicians. Her objective is to improve TAT, and quality of patient results in the region while advancing staff competency by training and sharing information. Her research interest is in the field of illicit street drugs and their constitutions changing overtime.

Dr. Surita Meldau

Dr.Surita Meldau is a senior medical scientist in Chemical Pathology at the University of Cape Town and the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS). Dr. Meldau oversees the Inherited Metabolic Diseases (IMD) molecular diagnostic laboratory and chairs the South African Mitochondrial Disease Network (SAMDN). Her research mainly focuses on understanding the molecular basis of mitochondrial disease in South Africa, contributing to genetic screening and diagnosis in a region where such data is often limited.

Dr. Barbara van Deventer

Dr. Barbara van Deventer is an accomplished medical scientist with a PhD in Forensic Pathology (Medical Criminalistics), specializing in Molecular Biology, from the University of Pretoria. Her PhD research focused on developing a cardiac channel molecular autopsy to investigate sudden unexplained deaths in the young in South Africa. Dr. van Deventer has an extensive academic background, including a Master’s degree and Bachelor’s honors degree in Forensic Pathology, where she explored genetic causes of sudden death syndromes. She is currently a Medical Scientist with the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) in Clinical Biochemistry and a part-time lecturer at the University of Pretoria's Department of Forensic Medicine. She has contributed significantly to research in forensic pathology, with numerous published papers in peer-reviewed journals on the topic of genetic investigation of sudden cardiac death, and has successfully secured funding for various projects. She has also presented at multiple international conferences Dr. van Deventer has supervised multiple postgraduate students, demonstrating her leadership and mentorship in forensic medicine research. She is also a member of various prestigious national and international forensic and medical societies. Her expertise spans across DNA extraction, molecular diagnostics, and clinical chemistry, making her a well-rounded professional in the fields of forensic and medical sciences.

Dr. Siyabonga Khoza

Dr. Siyabonga Khoza is currently the Head of the Department of Chemical Pathology at the University of the Witwatersrand and the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS). Dr. Khoza joined the Department of Chemical Pathology at Wits as a consultant in May 2018. He is currently pursuing a PhD, with his research focused on the discovery of early biomarkers for chronic kidney disease, with a particular emphasis on proteomics. He is a recipient of the prestigious Prof Bongani Mayosi Netcare Clinical Scholarship and the Discovery Academic Fellowship. In addition to his academic and clinical work, Dr. Khoza serves as a reviewer for 11 local and international scientific journals

Dr. Reinhardt Hesse

Dr. Reinhardt Hess completed his MBChB at the University of Pretoria in 2014, followed by internship and community service at Rob Ferreira Hospital. After qualifying as a Chemical Pathologist in 2021 through the NHLS and the University of the Witwatersrand, he joined PathCare in 2022. Based in Somerset West, he oversees chemical pathology operations for PathCare in the Boland and Overberg region and serves on the Steering Committee for IT. His interests include lipidology and cardiovascular risk reduction, laboratory informatics and data analytics, and LCMS-based testing.

Dr. Danie Hoffmann

Dr Danie Hoffmann is a clinical pathologist based at the George NHLS Laboratory in the Western Cape. He completed his undergraduate medical training at the University of the Witwatersrand and his postgraduate pathology training at the University of Pretoria. He now oversees the George regional laboratory and four district laboratories across the Garden Route. Dr Hoffmann participates in daily ward rounds at George Hospital and provides diagnostic support throughout the region. His special interests include antimicrobial stewardship and diagnostic stewardship.

Bettina Chale-Matsau

Bettina Chale-Matsau is a Senior Lecturer and Chemical Pathologist in joint appointment with the University of Pretoria and NHLS. Her qualifications include MBBCh, BSc Hons, MSc, FCPath, MMed and PhD. She is a Scientist and a Medical Specialist with combined experience of more than 15 years in academic space. Key roles include consultation diagnostics, undergraduate teaching and postgraduate research supervision (MMed, MSc and PhD). Research interest in endocrinology, diabetes, laboratory management, POCT and inherited metabolic diseases. She has published in peer reviewed journals and presented at both national and international conferences. She serves as an external examiner for four universities in South Africa and forms part of the CMSA examiners for Chemical Pathology. She is member of the Endocrine Society; SEMDSA; Africa Consortium on Laboratory Systems Strengthening; AFCC POCT Committee; an editorial board member and Section Editor for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, and reviewer for four regional and international journals.

Dr. Tandekile Simela- Tshabalala

Dr. Tandekile Simela- Tshabalala, MBChB, MMed (Chem Path.), is a pathologist at Dr George Mukhari Academic laboratory and a lecturer at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU). She obtained her medical degree from the University of Cape Town and completed her fellowship with CMSA in 2022. She is responsible for teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students at SMU in the Chemical Pathology department. Her interests are in Non- Communicable Diseases and Lifestyle Medicine.

Dr. Razia Banderker

Dr Razia Banderker completed her undergraduate medical education in 2015 at the University of Stellenbosch (US). She then relocated to Durban to complete her two-year internship. She returned to Cape Town in 2018 for her community service at Groote Schuur NHLS with rotations in Chemistry and Haematology. This experience motivated her to pursue a career in Pathology. In 2023, Dr Banderker completed her MMed in Chemical Pathology at US and obtained her Fellowship with the College of Pathologists (SA). She currently provides pathologist support to laboratories in the Northern Cape. Her interests include quality management systems, and optimising test utilisation.

Dr. Carolyn Padoa

Dr. Carolyn Padoa is a Principal Medical Scientist in the Department of Chemical Pathology at the National Health Laboratory Service in Johannesburg, South Africa. Carolyn obtained her PhD, entitled ‘The production, expression, and characterisation of insulin and GAD65 recombinant Fab for use in epitope mapping studies’, from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2007. She is currently the co-ordinator of the Chemical Pathology Honours programme at the University of Witwatersrand and has supervised numerous postgraduate students. She is currently working on a collaborative project where she is studying the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of type 1 diabetes in the different South African ethnic groups. Her other research interests include investigating the role of vitamin D in the aetiology of type 1 diabetes in the South African population as well as miRNA profiling to identify prognostic markers for long term diabetic complications such as nephropathy.

Prof. Tahir Pillay

Prof. Tahir Pillay is full Professor and Head of the Department of Chemical Pathology and overall Pathology Head, University of Pretoria & National Health Laboratory Service(NHLS), Honorary Professor of Chemical Pathology, University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa. He currently holds the highest research ranking of any chemical pathologist in South Africa by the National Research Foundation, South Africa and one of only two full professors of chemical pathology in South Africa. He is also the current Clinical Director of International Activities for the Royal College of Pathologists, London. Prof Pillay has an MBChB cum laude from the University of Natal and a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Cambridge. He completed his postgraduate specialist training at Imperial College and postdoctoral training in molecular and cellular endocrinology at University of California San Diego. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, London and the College of Pathologists, South Africa. He is pioneering the increased application of single domain antibodies/nanobodies in pathology and laboratory medicine and forensic toxicology and has been working on the development of biosensors using nanobodies. He is also a chapter contributor to the two most prestigious textbooks in Clinical Chemistry and Lab Medicine – Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry, 7th ed (published Aug 2022) and Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry (published in 2023). He is also sole author of two 4-dimensional electronic books in laboratory medicine (“Practical Clinical Chemistry:core concepts”; “Interactive mathematics for laboratory medicine”) that have been released in 52 countries.

Ms. Bianca Southon

Ms. Bianca Southon is a Senior Medical Scientist in Clinical Biochemistry at Groote Schuur Hospital, with a joint appointment at the University of Cape Town. She has over a decade of experience in diagnostic laboratory medicine, specialising in inborn errors of metabolism, biochemical genetics, and method development using GC-MS and LC-MS/MS. She also serves on the HPCSA Committee of Medical Scientists, where she actively advocates for training quality, professional development, and regulatory alignment within the field. Her work bridges academia and diagnostic service, with a strong focus on scientific excellence, mentorship, and clinical relevance.

Dr. Verena Gounden

Dr Verena Gounden, completed her undergraduate studies (MBChb) at the University of Natal. She undertook her specialised training at the NHLS labs at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospitals in 2006. She completed her FCPath (Chem Path) in 2009 and was awarded her MMED in 2010. Dr Gounden joined the Department of Chemical Pathology at IALCH as a consultant in 2011. She spent two years on a visiting fellowship at the Clinical Laboratory at the NIH, Clinical Centre in Bethesda, USA. She returned to IALCH in 2014 and was appointed Head of Department in 2016. She is currently the consultant chemical pathologist providing oversight in 4 laboratories in the west of Ireland including the Galway University hospital where she also chairs the hospital Near-Patient testing committee. Dr Gounden was awarded the status of Diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Chemists in 2014, her PhD in Medical Biochemistry in 2021 and fellow of Royal College of Physicians Ireland in 2025. She is a current member of the IFCC task force on Outcome based studies in Laboratory Medicine. She has over 50 peer reviewed publications and several book chapters

Dr. Marli Dercksen

Dr. Marli Dercksen is a clinical biochemist with over 20-years of expertise in chemical pathology and biochemical genetics. As Chief Medical Scientist and Consultant at the Centre for Human Metabolomics, North-West University, she leverages her laboratory skills and clinical knowledge to advance diagnostic testing through cutting-edge methodologies like hyphenated mass spectrometry. Dr. Dercksen's expertise encompasses biochemical and genetic diagnosis of rare diseases, patient-driven research, and training scientists and medical professionals in biochemical genetics. She's a strong advocate for newborn screening, believing it should be a standard practice for all South African neonates. Her notable achievements include establishing Sub-Saharan Africa's first dedicated lysosomal storage disorder diagnostic platform, contributing to Africa's first rare disease biobank, serving on the Committee of Medical Science, HPCSA (2021-2023) and, obtaining registration with the European Board of Medical Genetics as a clinical laboratory geneticist specializing in biochemical genetics (2022). Dr. Dercksen finds solving complex biochemical mechanisms in inherited metabolic diseases deeply rewarding, as it significantly impacts the lives of many families. Her collaboration with the Nngwe initiative (ONE Network, ONE goal, ONE life changed) has brought this vision to life, enabling undiagnosed patients in South Africa to benefit from her and her team’s expertise.

Prof. RT Erasmus

Prof RT Erasmus Emeritus Professor Chemical Pathology, Tygerberg Hospital, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town and Adjunct Professor, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Cape Town and Pathology Department, University of Botswana, Gaborone Executive Board Member, International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) Public Relations Consultant, IFCC) and Point of Care Testing (POCT) Consultant, IFCC Committee on POCT Vice President, College of Pathologists of East, Central and Southern Africa (COPECSA) Editor in Chief, African Journal of Laboratory Medicine (AJLM)

Prof. Annalise Zemlin

Prof. Annalise Zemlin is Head of Division of Chemical Pathology (National Health Laboratory Service and University of Stellenbosch) at Tygerberg Hospital. Her main research interests are Laboratory Management and Operational Research, Evidence-Based Laboratory Medicine, Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Disease, Point of Care testing, and more recently Laboratory Investigation and Outcomes in COVID-19. She is the past chair of and now consultant for the IFCC committee on Evidence-Based Laboratory Medicine and currently a member of the IFCC committee for Laboratory Management. She is a corresponding member of the IFCC committees for Point of Care Testing, the Education on the Use of Biomarkers in Diabetes, and the Value Proposition in Laboratory Medicine. She is actively involved in module and curriculum development, training of undergraduate students, teaching and supervising of postgraduate students, and is module coordinator of the South African Laboratory Management Module in Pathology. This module is presented to all senior pathology registrars in South Africa. She has a keen interest in the extra-analytical phases of laboratory testing and the use of laboratory audits as quality improvement tools. She has performed numerous laboratory audits in South Africa and with other countries in Africa. She is a founder member of the College of Pathologists of East, Central and Southern Africa which was founded in Kampala, Uganda in 2010.

Dr. Chemedzai Esnath Chikomba

Dr. Chemedzai Esnath Chikomba is Senior Pathologist for Point-of-Care Testing (POCT), National Priority Programmes, NHLS, South Africa Dr. Chemedzai Chikomba is the Senior Pathologist for Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) within the National Priority Programmes of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), South Africa. A specialist in Chemical Pathology, she holds a Fellowship from the College of Medicine of South Africa, an MMed from the University of the Witwatersrand, and a POCT Specialist Certificate from the American Association for Clinical Chemistry. She previously served on the NHLS POCT Pilot Team, leading national validations of chemistry, immunochemistry, and blood gas analyzers, and continues to drive strategic implementation and quality oversight of POCT across the country. Her portfolio includes health technology assessments, national glucometer verification, and risk-based training models for decentralized diagnostics. She is an active academic with multiple conference presentations to her name, including POCT Africa, and contributes to registrar training and postgraduate research supervision. Dr. Chikomba’s interests span diagnostic equity, digital integration, and policy-driven laboratory innovation across low- and middle-income health systems

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Dates:

02 - 05 October 2025

Venue:

Emperors Palace Convention Centre, JHB

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