Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART)
Staff
Academic
Prof Hugo (HW) Huisman
Professor, Director of HART PhD +27 18 299 2439 +27 18 285 2432 Hugo.Huisman@nwu.ac.za F12-206, Potchefstroom Campus Cardiovascular Physiology, Vascular structure and functionProf HW Huisman performs his research in the field of cardiovascular physiology, especially on factors related to changes in vascular structure and function in the development of hypertension. Although the research is mainly done in low socio-economic communities of South Africa this work also contributes to the existing body of knowledge regarding vascular dysfunction, arterial stiffness and early vascular aging. This also implicates the influence of vascular peptides, hormones, enzymes, oxidative stress, inflammation and other markers associated with cardiovascular disease under different circumstances like obesity, urbanization and aging.
Prof Alta (AE) Schutte
Professor PhD in Physiology +27 18 299 2444 +27 18 285 2432 alta.schutte@nwu.ac.za F11-101, Potchefstroom Campus Hypertension and cardiovascular disease development in black populationsProf Alta Schutte is the SARChI Research Chairholder funded by South African Department of Science Technology in the Early Detection and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in South Africa. She is also the Unit Director of the Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease. As Principal Investigator of the African-PREDICT study (African Prospective study on the Early Detection and Identification of CVD and Hypertension) and co-PI of the South African leg of the PURE study (Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology) she contributes to novel prospective studies on African soil to generate knowledge on a new understanding of CVD development in Africa. Internationally she contributes to several research networks, such as the Global Burden of Disease study and the NCD-RisC collaboration. She is a South African NRF B2-rated scientist, the Past-President of the Southern African Hypertension Society and the Vice-President of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH).
Prof Johannes (JM) van Rooyen
Professor DSc in Physiology +27 18 285 2455 +27 18 299 1053 johannes.vanrooyen@nwu.ac.za F11-G03, Potchefstroom Campus Cardiovascular function, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and vascular stiffnessProf van Rooyen is a member of the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Medical Biological Scientist. He has been a NRF rated scientist (C3) since 2004 and was the Subject Chair of Physiology in the School for Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences from 2005-2017. He participated in several projects like the PURE (Prospective Urban-Rural Epidemiology) study; SABPA (Sympathetic Activity and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Africans) study and recently, since 2013, the African-PREDICT study of the Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART) of the North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa. He lectures Cardiovascular Physiology to pre- and postgraduate students.
Prof Leoné Malan
Professor B.Art. et Scien Hons Nursing, Higher Education Diploma, PhD +27 18 299 2438 +27 18 299 1053 leone.malan@nwu.ac.za F12-111, Potchefstroom Campus Neurogenic Hypertension, Ischemic heart diseaseProf Malan is a Neurophysiology lecturer and with her hypothesis-driven research she aims to explain a mechanistic pathway linking brain and heart (stress-response pathways and ischemic heart disease). Therefore, she designed the first psychophysiological prospective cohort study in Africa [the Sympathetic activity and Ambulatory Blood pressure in Africans (SABPA) study]. As PI of the SABPA study, she received an award for design excellence from the Metabolic Syndrome Institute, France. She further conceptualized the implementation of a Hypertension Research and Training clinic on-campus and induced cardiovascular monitoring programs in collaboration with clinicians. Apart from being a council/working group member of the European Societies of Cardiology and Hypertension, she holds various professional memberships. She and her extensive international expert and pharmaceutical stake holders’ network aim to develop a clinical diagnostic tool for preventive stress-related cardiomyopathy.
Prof Carla (CMT) Fourie
Associate Professor PhD, RN (General, midwifery and psychiatry) +27 18 299 2080 carla.fourie@nwu.ac.za F12-106, Potchefstroom Campus Cardiovascular structure and function and HIV as co-morbidityProf Carla MT Fourie is an Associate Professor in the field of Human Physiology. She teaches undergraduate students and supervises postgraduate students. Her research focusses on the development of cardiovascular disease in the South African population. Her specific interest is the influence of HIV and hypertension as co-morbidities, and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress as well as health behaviours, on vascular structure and function.
Prof Carina (CMC) Mels
Associate Professor PhD in Biochemistry +27 18 299 1983 carina.mels@nwu.ac.za F12-104, Potchefstroom Campus Oxidative stressProf Mels is an Associate Professor and manager of the Research Laboratory in the Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART). She obtained her PhD in Biochemistry in 2011 from the same university and holds an Y2 rating from the National Research Foundation. She has published numerous articles in international peer reviewed journals on various aspects associated with hypertension. Her specific research focus is on the involvement of oxidative stress in the development of cardiovascular disease.
Prof Ruan Kruger
Associate Professor PhD in Physiology +27 18 299 2904 ruan.kruger@me.com F12-205, Potchefstroom Campus Hypertension and premature cardiovascular disease developmentProf Kruger is appointed as Associate Professor with teaching responsibilities and a research focus on cardiovascular disease development in children and young adults. His interests include arterial stiffness, cardiac structure and function and also biomarkers related to hypertension. He is a Y-rated researcher and also the current Chair of the New Investigators Committee of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH). He serves on the Board of Directors of the South African Hypertension Society and the South African Association of Health Educationalists.
Dr Wayne Smith
Senior Lecturer PhD +27 18 299 2053 wayne.smith@nwu.ac.za F12-203,Potchefstroom campus Cardiovascular PhysiologyDr Smith obtained his PhD in 2012 from Stellenbosch University. He has a background in experimental cardiovascular physiology, investigating cardiac function and susceptibility to ischaemia and reperfusion injury in a rodent model of obesity. After making the move to HART in 2010, he has become involved in HARTs clinical epidemiological studies. His current research interest remains in the cardiovascular field, and involve vascular function. Particular topics include 1) retinal vessel dynamics as an indicator of microvascular changes and function, and how it relates to cardiovascular risk, and 2) metabolic contributions to vascular changes associated with hypertension.
Dr Shani Botha
Senior lecturer PhD in Physiology +27 18 285 2262 +27 18 299 1053 shani.botha@nwu.ac.za F12-110, Potchefstroom Campus Physiology: Inflammation and cardiovascular diseaseDr Shani Botha is a senior lecturer and researcher in the field of Human Physiology. She teaches and supervises undergraduate and postgraduate students. Her research focusses on markers involved in the inflammatory process and the link thereof with the development of cardiovascular disease, especially in different ethnic groups.
Dr Leandi Lammertyn
Senior Lecturer PhD +27 18 299 2435 Leandi.Lammertyn@nwu.ac.za F12-107, Potchefstroom campus Haemostasis, metabolic risk factors and cardiovascular diseaseDr Lammertyn investigates common modifiable metabolic, cardiovascular and lifestyle markers, as well as the prevalence and incidence of blood pressure, diabetes and dyslipidaemia that contributes to cardiovascular disease. Further interests include markers of the haemostatic system and how they relate to microvascular and macrovascular changes, especially in the South African population.
Dr Lebo (LF) Gafane-Matemane
Senior Lecturer PhD in Physiology +27 18 299 2435 +27 18 299 1053 lebo.gafane@nwu.ac.za F12-107, Potchefstroom Campus Low renin hypertensionDr Gafane-Matemane is appointed as a Senior Lecturer. Her research focuses on the low renin phenotype, particularly in Africans. This phenotype is characterised by volume-loading hypertension and salt sensitivity. She is interested in the role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, salt intake and sympathetic activity in the development of hypertension. Additionally, she is also collaborating with other researchers in creating awareness in the communities regarding hypertension and diabetes. She is a member of the International Society of Hypertension New Investigator Network and a research fellow with the International Society of Hypertension since 2015.
Dr Yolandi Breet
Lecturer PhD in Physiology +27 18 299 2436 +27 18 299 1053 21195706@nwu.ac.za F12-115, Potchefstroom Campus Cardiovascular physiologyDr Yolandi Breet is a lecturer and researcher in the field of cardiovascular physiology. Her research focuses on factors leading to the development of cardiovascular disease, especially in the black South African population. Her specific interests include vascular structure and function, early vascular aging as well as markers involved in the development of hypertension, especially inflammatory biomarkers. She holds a research fellow membership with the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) and is also a member of the South African Hypertension Society (SAHS), Physiology Society of Southern Africa (PSSA) and the Golden Key International Honour Society.
Ms Gontse (GG) Mokwatsi
Lecturer MSc in Physiology +27 18 299 2436 22368590@nwu.ac.za F12-115, Potchefstroom Campus Cardiovascular physiologyMs Mokwatsi is appointed as a lecturer at the Department of Physiology and has researcher responsibilities within the Hypertension in Africa Research Team. Her research interests include early development of hypertension, morning blood pressure surge and arterial stiffness especially in young South Africans. She is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society, International Society of Hypertension New Investigator Network and a research fellow with the International Society of Hypertension since 2017.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr Sunelle Barnard
Postdoctoral fellow PhD in Dietetics +27 18 285 2263 13024787@nwu.ac.za F11-109, Potchefstroom Campus Nutrition, haemostasis, fibrinolysis, body fat composition and cardiovascular diseaseDr Sunelle Barnard obtained her PhD in Dietetics in 2017 from the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus. The focus of her doctoral studies was to investigate the effect of residual platelets, present in plasma, on different plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and PAI-1 related assays, as well as the relationship of PAI-1 with body fat distribution patterns in the black South African populations. Her current research interest focuses on the factors leading to the early development of cardiovascular disease within the African-PREDICT study (African Prospective study on the Early Detection and Identification of Cardiovascular disease and HyperTension), especially the contribution of circulating biomarkers such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). She is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), and is a member of the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA) and the Golden Key International Honour Society.
Dr Bianca Swanepoel
Postdoctoral fellow PhD +27 18 285 2263 biancaswanepoel.nwu@gmail.com F11-109, Potchefstroom Campus Cardiovascular physiology and nutritionDr Bianca Swanepoel is a post-doctoral fellow in the field of cardiovascular physiology and nutrition. Her research focuses on how dietary factors leads to the development of cardiovascular disease, especially in the South African population. Her specific interests include sodium and potassium intake and how these influence various cardiovascular markers involved in the development of hypertension. She is also interested in bridging the gap between science and the implementation of health policies in South Africa. She is also a member of the Nutrition Society of South Africa (NSSA) as well as the Golden Key International Honour Society.
Dr Jitcy Saji Joseph
Postdoctoral fellow PhD in Biochemistry +27 18 285 2263 30745934@nwu.ac.za F11-109, Potchefstroom Campus Diabetes, Obesity, Drug discovery, Metabolism, HIV, Molecular biology and Analytical biochemistryJitcy Saji Joseph earned her PhD in Biochemistry in 2016 from University of Johannesburg in South Africa. In her doctoral study, she pioneered a therapeutic modality for the better treatment and management of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Her immense research interest lie in the areas of drug discovery, molecular biology, cell biology, metabolism and analytical biochemistry. She obtained her Master’s in Biochemistry from Mahatma Gandhi University in India, in 2002, and awarded first rank position. In 2015, Jitcy accepted a position as Quality control Auditor at Pharma Q Pvt Ltd in Johannesburg. Her current research focuses to investigate the possible association between HIV infection, antiretroviral treatment (ART) and Vascular endothelial dysfunction (Edy) in black South Africans of the North West Province. Jitcy hold membership on “International society for the study of fatty acids and lipids” (ISSFAL), South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular biology (SASBM) and Physiological Society of Southern Africa (PSSA). She is registered with the Golden Key International Honour Society.
Support
Ms Heidi du Plessis
Administrative officer National N-Diploma (Management Assistant) +27 18 299 2780 heidi.duplessis@nwu.ac.za F12-204, Potchefstroom campus Finance, AdministrationSkills include: controlling, planning, organizing, procurement, report writing, communication, problem solving, budgets and cash flows.
Sr Adéle Burger
Manager: Hypertension Research and Training Clinic MCur, BTec Occupational Health & Primary Health Care +27 18 299 2076 adele.burger@nwu.ac.za F11-106, Potchefstroom Campus Behaviour Changes and Lifestyle modifications for CVD preventionSr. Burger forms part of the team involved in the conduction of various projects within the Hypertension Research and Training Clinic on campus. Her duties include managing, coordination and training of post graduate students as well as performing measurements including blood collection ECG and 24-hour blood pressure. Her own research interests are in behaviour changes and lifestyle modifications for cardiovascular disease prevention.
Dr Lisa (AS) Uys
Subject expert PhD in Physiology +27 18 299 2004 lisa.uys@nwu.ac.za F11-107, Potchefstroom Campus Autonomic control of the cardiovascular systemDr Uys forms part of the team involved in the conduction of various projects within the Hypertension Research and Training Clinic on campus. Her duties include coordination and training of post graduate students as well as performing measurements including ECG, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and dynamic retinal vessel analysis. Her own research interests are the involvement of various components of the autonomic nervous system in the regulation of the cardiovascular system, particularly when put under stressful situations.
Sr Maleshane Motingwe
Research Nurse Diploma in nursing science (General, Psychiatric and Community, and Midwifery) +27 18 285 2678 22020446@nwu.ac.za F11- G07 Potchefstroom campusSr Motingwe forms part of a team involved in conducting the EndoAfrica study. Her duties include recruitment of participants, supervision and support of the counsellor/assistant, performing measurements including blood collection, urine sampling and intra ocular pressure measurements, as well as data collection and data capturing.
Ms Anna Mafoko
Junior Laboratory Helper +27 18 299 2076 Anna.Mafoko@nwu.ac.za F15 / F11, 106 Potchefstroom CampusMs Mafoko is part of the research team working to deliver the African-PREDICT study. She supports the nurses and researchers to ensure the study runs smoothly. She is also responsible for the important task of feeding the study participants, and communicating with the participants to make sure that their contact details have stayed the same, often visiting participants houses to check if they remain at the same address.
Ms Lydia Malefane
Lay Counselor +27 18 285 2678 22425926@nwu.ac.za F11-G07 Potchefstroom CampusMs Malefane is part of the research team for the EndoAfrica study as a lay counselor. Her duties include recruitment of participants, HIV testing and counseling of participants, data collection from participants and ensuring flow of participants. As well as communicating with the participants to make sure that their contact details are still the same.