Welcome to the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

The Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics leads teaching and research around quantitative research methods in the School and Faculty. Courses taught from the Division include Introduction to Epidemiology, Quantitative Research Methods, Advanced Epidemiology, Evidence-Based Health Care, Clinical Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Non-Communicable Diseases Epidemiology, and a range of biostatistics courses (in conjunction with the Department of Statistical Sciences).
Click here for information about our Masters Programme
The Division assists with undergraduate epidemiology and biostatistics teaching in the MBChB curriculum (including during Semesters 3-5, and as part of the 4th year Public Health teaching programme) and as part of research methods teaching for allied health sciences students.
The Division provides epidemiology and biostatistics teaching at both introductory and advanced levels. Most of the Division's teaching is through the Master of Public Health (MPH) programme, where the Division convenes the Epidemiology and Biostatistics track.
Courses taught by the Division include:
- Introduction to Epidemiology
- Advanced Epidemiology
- Clinical Epidemiology
- Seminars in Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases Epidemiology (taught in conjunction with the Division of Public Health Medicine)
- Non-Communicable Diseases Epidemiology (taught in conjunction with the Division of Public Health Medicine)
- Evidence-Based Health Care (taught in conjunction with the Department of Medicine)
- Biostatistics I (Introduction to Biostatistics)
- Biostatistics II (Linear & Logistic Regression Modelling)
- Biostatistics III (Survival analyses and advanced topics) (taught in conjunction with the Department of Statistical Sciences)
Additional teaching takes place on a range of short-courses and special seminars throughout the Faculty. This additional teaching typically focuses on either general research methods (study design, measurement, causal inference, etc) and/or specific advanced topics. Recent topics for short-courses and seminars include:
- mathematical modelling of infectious diseases
- structural equation modelling
- missing data and imputation
- modelling for causal inference
In addition, the Division offers PhDs in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. While the PhD programme is by dissertation-only, most of our PhD students enter through the MPH, and/or participate in short-courses and seminars programme.
The Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics offers an epidemiology and biostatistics consulting service within the Faculty of Health Sciences. The consulting unit provides services which include the following activities:
- Advice regarding research design, sample size, questionnaire development and data collection methodologies
- Guidance for data capturing and data management/cleaning
- Analysis and reporting of data and assistance with data interpretation
- Short training courses on request
Clientele include:
- Postgraduate student research projects (including Honours, research Masters, PhD)
Postdoctoral researchers - Research / academic staff
- For coursework masters students, assistance is provided only for dissertations and not for coursework assignments
Please note:
- A brief scoping consultation is provided at no cost prior to formally requesting consulting services.
- Thereafter, the unit operates on a cost-recovery basis and all billable work is charged for at an hourly rate (currently R500/hour), payable via internal fund transfer within 14 days of the completion of work. Note that we do not charge students directly, supervisors and/or units are responsible for funding statistical support if required by their students and must make initial contact.
- It is strongly recommended that clients contact the consulting unit prior to the onset of their project.
- Supervisors wishing to access services for student postgraduate projects are required to make initial request to the consulting unit.
- The service is provided subject to the availability of consultants. The consulting unit reserves the right to terminate or refuse service.
To request consulting services, please contact the unit via email: epibios.consult@uct.ac.za
Research interests and activities in the Division include:
- Methods for modelling longitudinal data
- Infectious diseases epidemiology, including HIV, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections
- Maternal and child health
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Women's reproductive health, including contraception and termination of pregnancy
Researchers in the Division collaborate with investigators in other parts of the School of Public Health (including CIDER) and the Faculty (including the Departments of Paediatrics and Child Health, Clinical and Laboratory Sciences, Psychiatry and Mental Health, Medicine). Below are some of the projects were are involved in:
CareConekta
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Project leaders: Tamsin Phillips (UCT), Kate Clouse (Vanderbilt University) Collaborating university: Vanderbilt University Funding statement: This study was funded by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) under grant R34 MH118028. Formative work that led to the development of this study was funded by NIH under grant P30 AI110527 to the TN CFAR. Purpose of project Population mobility is common in South Africa, but important research gaps exist describing this mobility and its impact on engagement in HIV care. Postpartum women and their infants in South Africa are known to be at high risk of dropping out of HIV care after delivery and are frequently mobile. In previous work, we developed a beta version of a smartphone application (app) – CareConekta – that detects a user’s smartphone location to allow for prospective characterization of mobility. In this R34 (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03836625) we are adapting and testing CareConekta to conduct essential formative work on mobility and evaluate an intervention – the CareConekta app plus text notifications and phone calls and/or WhatsApp messages – to facilitate engagement in HIV care during times of mobility. During the three-year project period, our first objective is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of using CareConekta as an intervention to improve engagement in HIV care. Our second objective is to characterize mobility among South African women during the peripartum period and its impact on engagement in HIV care. We will enroll 200 eligible pregnant women living with HIV and receiving care at the Gugulethu Midwife Obstetric Unit in Cape Town, South Africa.
![]() Left to right: Kate Clouse, Sindiswa Madwayi, Megan Mrubata, Sandisiwe Noholoza, Tammy Phillips
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Routine Electronic Mother-Infant Data (Remind) to Support Retention in Postpartum HIV Treatment and Early Infant Diagnosis Services in South Africa
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Project leader: Tamsin Phillips Funding statement: Funding for this project was made possible in full by a CIPHER grant from the International AIDS Society. Purpose of project Maternal loss from antiretroviral therapy (ART) and incomplete early infant diagnosis (EID) are common in high HIV-burden settings. The proposed study, centred at a large primary care clinic in Gugulethu, Cape Town, will leverage existing central routine electronic data sources to identify MIPs with key gaps in PMTCT and facilitate linkage back to care. A prospective cohort of 400 peripartum women living with HIV and age 18 or older will be recruited. Them and their babies will be monitored in the routine medical record data through 9 months postpartum to identify gaps in routine PMTCT care. The specific aims are:
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Improving Chronic Disease Monitoring in Resource Limited Settings: Simulation and Economic Evaluation Approaches |
Evaluation of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Initiation, Retention and Adherence in Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women (PrEP-PP)
Pregnant women at very high risk of HIV acquisition and HIV transmission to the infant. PrEP-PP (PrEP in Pregnant and Postpartum women) is an observational study that will determine the distribution of women across the PrEP cascade (i.e. PrEP initiation, continuation and adherence on PrEP) in a cohort of 1200 HIV-negative pregnant and breastfeeding adolescent girls (16+ years) and women. We are recruiting eligible, interested HIV-uninfected pregnant women from one public health facilities in Cape Town (Gugulethu). Women are recruited at their first antenatal visit and followed until 12 months postpartum. Our study will inform national and regional policymakers about the effectiveness of PrEP integration into antenatal (ANC) and postnatal care in high HIV incidence communities. Study counsellors enrol consecutive eligible, consenting pregnant adolescent girls (>16 years) and women in ANC (1200 pregnant women). The study offers HIV-uninfected pregnant women the choice to take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), an antiretroviral pill, to take daily to prevent HIV up to 99% in women who take it daily. We follow up women every 3 months until their baby is 12 months old. We launched the study in August 2019 and are continuing to follow up 1200 women in a cohort study through 2022. |
Obesogenic Origins of Maternal and Child Metabolic Health Involving Dolutegravir (ORCHID) ![]()
Project leaders: Elaine Abrams (Paediatrics & Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, ICAP Columbia University) Jennifer Jao (Paediatrics & Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, North-western University /Lurie Children’s Hospital)
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Exploring the Burden and Impact of Cardio-Metabolic Complications During Pregnancy in the Context of High Obesity and HIV Burden in South Africa (CAMP) Angela Bengtson (Brown University) Hlengiwe Madlala (UCT SPH)
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The Relationship Between Postpartum Weight Retention and Metabolic Outcomes in HIV-infected and -uninfected Women in Cape Town, South Africa: (P-CAMP) Landon Myer (UCT SPH) Angela Bengtson (Brown University)
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Inflammation and Immune Activation in Pregnancy: Fetal Inflammation and Maternal Obesity (iMAP) Hlengiwe Madlala (UCT SPH) Landon Myer (UCT SPH) Jennifer Jao (Northwestern University/Lurie Children’s Hospital) Marie-Louise Newell (Southampton University), Thoko Malaba (UCT SPH) |
The Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics is offering a variety of R training courses for 2023, and annually thereafter. Each workshop will be approximately 2-3 hours long. The workshops are numbered according to (roughly) the order they should be taken in. Registration and venue details to follow.
Date (Time) |
Topic |
Level |
Registration link |
Friday, 17 Feb - (09:30-12:30) |
7. Advanced data handling |
advanced |
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Friday, 3 Mar - (09:30-12:30) |
8. Advanced modelling / analysis |
advanced |
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Friday, 10 Mar - (09:30-12:30) |
1. Introduction to R |
beginner |
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Friday, 24 Mar - (09:30-12:30) |
9. Data visualization with R |
advanced |
To be shared |
Friday, 14 Apr - (09:30-12:30) |
2. Group summaries and comparisons + epiR part 1 |
beginner |
To be shared |
Friday, 12 May - (09:30-12:30) |
3. Group summaries and comparisons + epiR part 2 |
beginner |
To be shared |
Friday, Early Aug - (09:30-12:30) |
4. Regression models with R |
intermediate |
To be shared |
Friday, Late Aug - (09:30-12:30) |
5. Intermediate data analysis |
Intermediate |
To be shared |
Friday, Sep - (09:30-12:30) |
6. Survival analysis with R |
intermediate |
To be shared |
Fees:
For currently registered staff or students in the School of Public Health there is no fee. For all other participants, there is a R500/course fee payable through internal journal transfer only. You must be a member of UCT (ie have a valid UCT email address) in order to participate. A signed journal or proof of transfer will be required before access is granted.
How to register:
Follow the link for the course you want to register for. It is a small form that collects email addresses. Please use your UCT email address.
Request the internal journal transfer to 232826, PPH1228. Please send proof of payment to: Mikateko Sithole.
You will receive a link to the online meeting venue, plus other information a few days before the scheduled workshop once registered and proof of payment submitted via your UCT email.
Course content:
These courses are mainly aimed at current MPH and PhD students in the School of Public Health, and so are oriented towards serving those groups as they complete their coursework and dissertation. Instructors and content will vary by course. These courses will be offered annually.
If you would like to discuss a bespoke course please email epibios.consult@uct.ac.za
Contact:
For admin matters please contact Senior Secretary Mikateko.Sithole@uct.ac.za
For other matters relating to the Division, please contact Head of Division Landon.Myer@uct.ac.za
Landon Myer, Professor and Head of Division ![]()
Email: landon.myer@uct.ac.za Phone: 021 406 6661
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Lara Dugas, Professor and AXA Research Chair in Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Epidemiology (2021-2026) ![]()
Professor Lara Dugas, PhD, MPH, FTOS received her doctorate in Exercise Physiology from the UCT. In 2007 she joined Loyola University Chicago (LUC), utilising her training in the measurement of human metabolism, including whole body energy expenditure, diet and physical activity monitoring. In 2011, she completed her Masters in Clinical Research Methods and in 2013 she obtained her MPH in Epidemiology. In 2016 she was named LUC Stritch School of Medicine Junior Scientist of the year, and in the same year became a fellow of The Obesity Society. In 2020 she was awarded an Honorary Professorship at UCT. She maintains a joint appointment between UCT and LUC. Her research explores NCD risk in African-origin populations spanning the epidemiologic transition. Her focus is the role of the gut microbiota and intermediary metabolites, focusing on short chain fatty acids on obesity and diabetes risk. She currently has two NIH-funded studies, exploring the role of the gut microbiota and NCD risk in 5 African-origin populations and 2021 was awarded the AXA Research Chair in Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Epidemiology (2021-2026). |
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Alex de Voux, Senior Lecturer ![]()
Email: alex.devoux@uct.ac.za
In 2019, Alex served as the Senior Epidemiologist for the South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme (SAFETP) housed within the National Institute for Communicable Diseases of South Africa. At SAFETP, Alex trained new Field Epidemiology disease detectives, many of whom played a critical role in South Africa’s response to COVID-19, conducting door-to-door field work and contact tracing. |
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Tamsin Phillips, Senior Lecturer/Research Officer
Tammy Phillips is an epidemiologist in the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Her broad research area is the HIV continuum of care with projects focused on postpartum women and on people returning to HIV care after a treatment interruption. Her PhD investigated the impact of mobility and care transitions on adherence and retention in HIV care among pregnant and postpartum women in Gugulethu. She is also interested in the methodological considerations for measuring retention and adherence and the use of mobile health and routine medical record data to support the HIV care continuum. Through a CIPHER/IAS grant she has been investigating the use of routine electronic medical records in the Western Cape to track and trace mother-infant pairs with gaps in vertical transmission prevention steps (the REMInD study). Tammy also holds an NIH K43 Emerging Global Leader award. Her research project (the Zikhethele study) aims to incorporate patient preference and implementation science methods to design an adherence support intervention for people returning to HIV services after a treatment interruption. Tammy supervises students and lectures in the MPH programme and is currently chair of the SPH Departmental Research Committee. |
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Hlengiwe Madlala, Lecturer/Research Officer ![]()
Email: Hlengiwe.madlala@uct.ac.za
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Elton Mukonda, Lecturer/Research Officer ![]()
Email: elton.mukonda@uct.ac.za
Elton currently works as a Research Officer in the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. He is a trained demographer and also has experience working as a statistician and data analyst. He completed his MPhil in Demography in 2015 at the Centre for Actuarial Research (CARe), University of Cape Town, with research on estimating mortality for metropolitan populations in developing countries. Current interests include economic evaluation, statistical learning, longitudinal data analysis, actuarial modelling and bayesian statistics. |
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Thokozile Malaba, Lecturer/Research Officer ![]()
Email: Thoko.Malaba@uct.ac.za
Thoko Malaba is an epidemiologist in the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Cape Town. Her work focuses primarily on maternal and child health in the context of HIV, particularly the use of antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy. She is currently involved in clinical, population-based and health systems research studies in HIV-infected women using different antiretroviral therapy regimens in pregnancy. Her specific research interests are adverse birth outcomes and the methodological issues encountered in perinatal research studies. |
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Frissiano Honwana, Assistant Lecturer ![]()
Email: Frissiano.Honwana@uct.ac.za
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Jasantha Odayar, Clinical Research Officer ![]()
Email: Jasantha.Odayar@uct.ac.za
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Stanzi le Roux, PhD candidate ![]()
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Chukwudi Nnaji, PhD candidate ![]()
Twitter handle: @ChuxNesta_Nnaji
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Honorary Professors:
D Bradshaw |
S Delaney-Moretlwe |
J McIntyre |
C Wiysonge |
Honorary Associate Professors:
L Dodd |
M Rangaka |
S Reynolds |
Adjunct Associate Professor:
T Tucker |
Honorary Senior Lecturers:
Annibale Cois ![]()
Email: acois@sun.ac.za
His background includes Master Degrees in Electrical Engineering (University of Cagliari, Italy) and Public Health (University of Cape Town), and a PhD in Public Health (University of Cape Town). His current research interests focus primarily on the epidemiology of non-communicable diseases and associated risk factors in low- and middle-income countries and the application of advanced statistical methods for the joint analysis of multiple heterogeneous data sources. Recent works include the application of latent variables techniques to the estimation and modelling of measurement error in anthropometric characteristics in large-scale surveys; the joint analysis of multiple datasets to recover long-term trends in blood pressure, body mass index and other cardiovascular risk factors; the study of seasonal patterns of cardiovascular risk factors in the South African population and their socioeconomic correlates; the application of Bayesian estimation methods for the study of population pattern of alcohol consumption. |
Dvora Joseph Davey ![]()
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Nathan Ford |
Kevin Kelly |
Melissa Wallace |
Jennifer Pellowski |
Honorary Research Associate:
Jabulani Ncayiyana ![]()
Jabulani Ncayiyana is an epidemiologist with research interests in infectious diseases, child and adolescent health, spatial epidemiology and implementation science. |