Ziyaad is a UCT-educated scientist who was awarded a PhD in molecular and cell biology in 2008, specialising in medical and general molecular virology. Subsequent to post-graduate studies, his research covered a broad range of medical virology-related topics including HIV diversity, HIV drug resistance, HLA and respiratory virus phylogenetics and surveillance within South African national surveillance programs based at the National institute for Communicable diseases and National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS). Currently he serves as an HPCSA-registered senior medical scientist (molecular biology) based at the Groote Schuur Hospital, NHLS virology diagnostic unit where his work includes assisting with viral molecular diagnostic processes, next generation sequencing of novel viruses and high-resolution HLA typing. As a UCT joint member of staff he contributes to the academic programme through lecturing students at the undergraduate and honours level on influenza diversity and through respiratory virus-related research.

Associated groups:

Diagnostic Laboratory
Clinical and Diagnostic Virology Research Group
NICD centre: Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis