DOI members win at the SAIS Conference
The VIIth South African Immunology Society (SAIS) Conference took place 18th-20th June in Umhlanga, Durban with many Division of Immunology (DOI) members attending as speakers and delegates. Seven of the DOI attendees were awarded prizes at the conference.
The 2019 SAIS Conference had a theme of “Synergy in Immunology”, the conference aimed to develop and enhance collaborations amongst healthcare professionals in the field of medical immunology including scientists, clinicians and international experts.
The 2019 conference began with a pre-conference workshop “Immunology101” on 17 June 2019. The Conference included sessions on Tuberculosis, HIV, Oncology, Vaccinology, Tolerance, Neuroimmunology as well as Allergy and Clinical Immunology session and an education session with a focus on diagnostics.
Best Poster Presentation prizes were presented at the conference Gala dinner that was themed “A Night at the Oscars” that saw delegates dressed for the red carpet. The special guest speaker at the dinner was Professor Debbie Glencross and she who shared wise words and life lessons, while the guest comedian was Darren Maule who reminded delegates that laughter is the best medicine. The DOI’s Khanyisile Kgoadi was emcee at the gala dinner.
Division of Immunology Attendees and Winners
Thirteen members of the DOI attended the conference, these members include executive members of the SAIS Committee: Professor Clive Gray (Past SAIS President), Associate Professor Thomas Scriba and Khanyisile Kgoadi who also gave talks at the conference.
Division of Immunology attendees at the SAIS Conference
The DOI represented strongly at the meeting with four members receiving SAIS Travel Awards: Veneshly Samuels, Melissa Murphy, Sohair Geyer and Bokani Nleya.
SAIS Travel Awards Recipients. DOI members pictured: Veneshly Samuels, Melissa Murphy, Sohair Geyer and Bokani Nleya
Shandre Pillay was recognised with the Prize for the Best Poster Presentation and Sibongiseni Poswayo won the runner-up prize for Best poster Presentation.
SAIS Best Poster Winners: Shandre Pillay, Khanyisile Kgoadi (emcee) and Sibongiseni Poswayo
In the Best Oral Presentation section, Sohair Geyer tied for 2nd place with another delegate and shared the runner-up prize.
The other attendees from the DOI were: Dr Sabelo Hadebe, Dr Simon Mendelsohn, Rebeng Maine and Martyna Scibiorek.
Article by Bonamy Holtak