Although there is increasing evidence of participation of African scientists in genomics research, there is little evidence of its major impact in practice.

This and other related matters will be the subject of the first inaugural lecture for 2019, to be hosted by University of Cape Town (UCT) Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng on Wednesday, 13 March 2019, at UCT’s Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS).

The lecture, titled “Enabling genetic medicine”, will be presented by Professor Ambroise Wonkam, professor of Medical Genetics, director of Genetic Medicine of African Populations (GeneMAP) and deputy dean of research in the FHS. The lecture will examine how such technology can offer immediate benefits for healthcare.

GeneMAP envisions enhancing the advancement of genetic and precision medicine in Africa through genetic research programmes that focus on African-specific conditions, with special attention to training and knowledge translation that respect people’s socio-cultural perceptions and ethical values.

Professor Wonkam is the recipient of the 2003 Denber-Pinard Prize for the best thesis from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. He won the very competitive Clinical Genetics Society International Award for 2014 from the British Society for Genetic Medicine. He is president of the African Society of Human Genetics, member of the steering committee of Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) consortium, board member of the International Federation of Human Genetics Societies, council member of the Human Genome Organisation, and steering committee member of the Global Genomic Medicine Collaborative.

Details of the lecture:

When: Wednesday, 13 March 2019

Where: New Learning Centre Lecture Theatre, Anatomy Building, Anzio Road, Faculty of Health Sciences, UCT

Time: 17:30 (doors open at 17:00)

Media RSVP: Please confirm your attendance by emailing: thami.nkwanyane@uct.ac.za