CIDRI-Africa welcomes new investigators at 8th Annual Scientific Meeting

10 Sep 2025
A groups of people standing in a garden on a green lawn in front of a white building
10 Sep 2025

The Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa welcomed three new Contributing Investigators at its 8th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Franschhoek. Profs Adrian Brink, Paolo Denti and Dr Kurt Wibmer joined CIDRI-Africa in the third quarter of 2025 and gave their inaugural presentations at the recent ASM. Also speaking for the first time were Principal Investigator Prof. Anthony Figaji and Contributing Investigator Dr Rachael Dangarembizi.

A head-and-shoulders photo of Prof. Adrian Brink. He is wearing a tuxedo

Prof. Brink is Head of the Division of Medical Microbiology at UCT. His main research interests are the clinical and molecular epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant infections, the mechanisms of resistance as a confounder in antibiotic stewardship, the design and implementation of large-scale antibiotic stewardship, and infection prevention and control interventions in low and middle-income countries. His current focus also includes translating genomic OneHealth research priorities into action at the human-animal-environment interface and the protective, metabolic and immune functions of the human biome.

A head-and-shoulders photo of Prof. Paolo Denti. He is wearing a red polo shirt

Prof. Denti is a Professor of Pharmacology at UCT, where he leads the Pharmacometrics Research Group within the Division of Clinical Pharmacology. His dynamic and diverse team of researchers apply pharmacometric methods to enhance the understanding and optimisation of drug therapy in high-burden diseases such as TB, HIV, and malaria. His group’s work spans the development of population pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) models, simulation-based dose optimisation, and the quantitative assessment of drug-drug interactions. A particular focus of his research is the individualisation of therapy in neglected populations, including pregnant women, children, and patients with co-morbidities, who are often underrepresented in clinical trials but bear a disproportionate burden of disease.

Head-and-shoulders photo of Kurt Wibmer. He is wearing blue and white shirt.

Dr Wibmer is Principal Investigator of the VїPER (Venom & Vaccine Immunotherapeutics & Immunogens Protein Engineering Research) group at UCT. He integrates monoclonal antibody discovery with structural biology to develop broad, potent, and thermostable biologics to address health challenges in Africa. His current research is at the forefront of structure-guided immunotherapeutic antivenom design for snakebite.


The 8th CIDRI-Africa Annual Scientific Meeting was held from 3-5 September 2025 in Franschhoek. Some 70 delegates met to discuss and celebrate the people and research of the Centre. Centre Director Prof. Robert J Wilkinson opened the meeting by welcoming attendees and celebrating the achievements of junior investigators. Attendees were privileged to hear from Prof. Ntobeko Ntusi, head and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council, Dr Thomas Nyirenda, head of the Africa Office of the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, Ms Sarah Archer, Executive Director: Development and Alumni Department (UCT), and Dr Matt Kaiser, head of Major Initiatives at Wellcome. Plenaries from special guest Prof. Linda-Gail Bekker and External Advisory Board member Prof. Penny Moore provided much inspiration and food for thought. Attendees were also treated to a fascinating informal “Director’s Perspectives” session from Profs Valerie Mizrahi—immediate past Director of the IDM—and Ronald Vale, former Executive Director of Janelia Research Campus of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).
 

A groups of people standing in a garden on a green lawn in front of a white building
Dr Matt Kaiser presenting to the attendees
ASM attendees at tea-time in the gardens of the venue
Profs Ron Vale and Val Mizrahi speaking to the attendees at dinner
Left-to-right: Dr Kurt Wibmer, Dr Rachael Dangarembizi and Prof. Paolo Denti
Walter Chabaya gestures toward his slides. He is wearing a blue suit, pale blue shirt and orange tie
Selisha Naidoo presenting on Sustainability at the IDM. She is wearing a pink jacket, white trousers and pink heels
Prof. Adrian Brink standing at the lectern.
Meeting participants at tea outside in the gardens. Mountains are visible in the background
Prof. Linda-Gail Bekker standing at the lectern. She is wearing a black skirt and a brightly-coloured jacket
Dr Rachael Dangarembizi standing at the lectern
Prof. Penny Moore at the lectern