The University of Cape Town invites you to an inaugural lecture by Professor Mushi Matjila.

Navigating growth through the support of others: From Kiss-ing in the Placental Bed, through to Research Policy and Placenta Mediated Disorders

Join Professor Mushi Matjila for a thought-provoking journey through the experiences, mentorship and collaborations that have shaped his distinguished career in obstetrics and gynaecology. Attendees can expect fascinating insights into pioneering research on placental biology and pregnancy-related disorders, reflections on shaping health research policy in South Africa, and a look at the future of women's healthcare. Blending personal stories, scientific discovery and academic leadership, the lecture offers an engaging exploration of the people and ideas that drive progress in maternal and reproductive health.

About Our Speaker

Professor Mushi Matjila is the Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town, and Chair of the National Health Research Committee (NHRC). His work spans clinical service, teaching, postgraduate supervision and research, with particular expertise in high-risk obstetrics, reproductive medicine and maternal-fetal health. 

His research focuses on placenta-mediated disorders, including preeclampsia, recurrent pregnancy loss, gestational diabetes mellitus and infertility. He investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying these conditions, particularly the role of kisspeptin, angiogenic factors and maternal immune responses at the maternal-fetal interface. 

Professor Matjila is co-founder and director of the Human African Molecular Placental Research Platform (HAMLET) and co-founder of the African Placental Network, both initiatives dedicated to advancing placental research and nurturing the next generation of reproductive scientists and clinician-scientists across Africa. 

Beyond his academic and clinical work, he has served in numerous leadership roles, including as Chair of South Africa's National Health Research Committee, a ministerial advisory body on health research. He has also contributed extensively to professional societies, research governance structures and international academic publishing

About the Topic

At the heart of this lecture is a message of gratitude and growth. Professor Matjila will reflect on the many individuals whose guidance, mentorship and support influenced his career, demonstrating how personal and professional development is often made possible through the contributions of others. 

The lecture will also delve into his research on kisspeptin, a molecule that became a central focus of his doctoral work. Through this research, he has explored the intricate biological processes that govern placental development and the maternal-fetal interface, providing important insights into healthy and abnormal pregnancies. 

Another key theme is Professor Matjila's involvement in national research leadership and policy. Drawing on nearly a decade of service to the National Health Research Committee, he will discuss how health research priorities are shaped and coordinated to address South Africa's most pressing healthcare challenges.

The lecture will also outline the vision of the to improve healthcare access by bringing services closer to women and families within the communities they serve. 

Finally, Professor Matjila will examine the impact of placenta-mediated disorders, including miscarriage, preeclampsia, preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction. These conditions remain major contributors to maternal and neonatal illness and mortality worldwide. Through the story of HAMLET, he will share how molecular placental research is helping to deepen scientific understanding of these conditions while building research capacity across the continent. 

As much a story of people as it is of science, this inaugural lecture offers a rare opportunity to hear how one academic's journey has been shaped by mentorship, service, research and a passion for improving the health of women and children.