Prof Sanette (JS) Brits

  Associate Professor, Director: School of Applied Health Sciences
  +27 18 285 2789
  Sanette.Brits@nwu.ac.za
  F12-124, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom
  PhD in Physiology
  The effect of stress on the cardiovascular and endocrine systems

Prof Brits has a passion for creative classroom environments and community outreach projects to enhance education and health. Effective science communication through different teaching approaches can create opportunities for active participation and co-operative learning in the lecture hall. Crossing pedagogical boundaries of physiology, kinesiology and education broadened her view on teaching, learning and research.

  Dr Adriaan Jacobs

  Senior Lecturer, Subject Chair: Physiology
  +27 18 299 2438
  adriaan.jacobs@nwu.ac.za
  F12-116, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom
  MSc in Biochemistry, PhD in Physiology
  Metabolism, biomarkers, cardiovascular physiology

Dr Jacobs is appointed as a senior lecturer at the Department of Physiology and conducts research within the Hypertension in Africa Research Team. He holds an MSc in Biochemistry (with a specific focus on metabolism) and has several years of experience as a laboratory technician in diagnostic and research laboratories. His PhD in Cardiovascular Physiology focused on the association between plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and vascular structure and function. His current research interests include biomarkers and their association with lifestyle factors and cardiovascular disease.

  Dr Gontse (GG) Mokwatsi

  Senior Lecturer, Programme Leader: Physiology
  +27 18 299 2489
  Gontse.Mokwatsi@nwu.ac.za
  F12-104, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom
  PhD in Physiology, Post Graduate Certificate in Education - FET phase.
  Cardiovascular physiology

Dr Mokwatsi is appointed as a senior 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 and the use of home and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for control of hypertension. She is a member of the South African Hypertension Society (SAHS), Golden Key International Honour Society, Organization for Women in Science in the Developing World (OWSD), International Society of Hypertension New Investigator Network and a research fellow with the International Society of Hypertension. She leads the Urinary Proteomics Combined with Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring for Health Care Reform (UPRIGHT-HTM) clinical trial in South Africa and serves on the Southern African Association of Health Educationalists (SAAHE) Northern Region Executive Committee.

  Prof Yolandi Breet

  Associate Professor
  +27 18 299 2442
  Yolandi.Breet@nwu.ac.za
  F12-111, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom
  PhD in Physiology
  Large artery stiffness and early vascular aging

Prof Yolandi Breet is an Associate Professor of Physiology and researcher in the field of hypertension. Her specific interests include large artery stiffness and early vascular aging. She holds a Y-rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF) and is also a member of the Association for Research into Arterial Structure and Physiology. She serves on the Board of Directors and the Next Generation Committee of the Southern African Hypertension Society (SAHS) and also serves on the Southern African Association of Health Educationalists (SAAHE) Northern Region Executive Committee.

  Prof Leandi Lammertyn

  Associate Professor
  +27 18 299 2435
  Leandi.Lammertyn@nwu.ac.za
  F12-107, Potchefstroom campus, Potchefstroom
  PhD in Physiology, Post graduate certificate in education - FET phase
  Haemostasis, metabolic risk factors and cardiovascular disease

Prof Lammertyn is an Associate Professor in the department of Physiology at the North-West University. In addition, she is also involved in conducting cardiovascular research as part of the Hypertension in Africa Research Team. She is the principle investigator of the Sympathetic activity and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Africa study. Her own research interests lie in the investigation of metabolic, cardiovascular and lifestyle markers, and how they relate to microvascular and macrovascular changes, especially in the South African population.

  Prof Thabisile Mpofana

  Associate Professor
  +27 18 285 2262
  Thabisile.Mpofana@nwu.ac.za
  F12-113, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom, Potchefstroom
  PhD in Physiology, MPH, Cert in Higher Neuroscience coaching
  Neurophysiology

Prof. Mpofana is an associate professor in Physiology, with research focused on early life determinants of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Since joining the NWU, her interest is exploring the intricate links between neurophysiology and cardiovascular diseases, aiming to advance the understanding of how these systems interact and impact overall health.

  Dr Esmé Jansen van Vuren

  Senior Lecturer
  +27 18 299 2080
  esme.jansenvanvuren@nwu.ac.za
  F12-106, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom
  PhD in Physiology
  Cardiovascular physiology and biological psychiatry

Dr Jansen van Vuren is a senior lecturer and researcher in the field of Physiology. Her research interests are to investigate cardiovascular diseases and psychiatric disorders as co-morbidities in African populations. She is a member of the American Heart Association (AHA), Physiology Society of Southern Africa (PSSA) and the Southern African Neuroscience Society (SANS).

  Dr Annemarie Wentzel

  Senior Lecturer
  +27 18 299 2436
  annemarie.wentzel@nwu.ac.za
  F12-108, Potchefstroom Campus,
  PhD Physiology, MSc Physiology, Diploma in Mental Health (DipMH)
  Neuro-cardiology and cardiometabolic stress reactivity

Dr Wentzel is a senior lecturer and researcher in Physiology. She focuses on exploring the physiological mechanisms activated during acute and chronic cardiometabolic, hydrodynamic and psychological stress responses within healthy and at-risk populations. Ultimately, she wants to investigate how these mechanisms may differ in, and translate to specific health outcomes (specifically diabetes, stroke and coronary artery disease). She is a member of the American Heart Association (AHA), American Autonomic Society (AAS), South African Heart Association (SAHA) and Physiological Society of South Africa (PSSA).

  Dr Cleo (MC) Mokhaneli

  Senior Lecturer
  +27 18 299 2293
  Cleo.Mokhaneli@nwu.ac.za
  F12-115, Potchefstroom campus, Potchefstroom, Potchefstroom
  PhD in Physiology
  Nitric oxide

Dr Mokhaneli is appointed as a senior lecturer and researcher in the field of Cardiovascular physiology. Her research focus is on the involvement of nitric oxide and development of cardiovascular disease. Her specific interests include homoarginine and its cardioprotective   effects. She is a member of the Southern African Hypertension Society (SAHS), Golden Key International Honour Society, and a research fellow with the International Society of Hypertension.

  Ms Nonkululeko Navise

  Lecturer
  +27 18 285 2433
  nonkululeko.navise@nwu.ac.za
  F12-114, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom
  MSc in Cardiovascular Physiology

Ms. Nonkululeko Navise is a lecturer in the School of Physiology and she is part of the Hypertension in Africa research Team (HART) pursuing her PhD studies in Physiology with the research unit. Her research focus is on the longitudinal investigation of chronic kidney disease and how it relates with cardiovascular risk factors and all-cause mortality in a South African population.  She is very passionate about community outreach and is dedicated to making a positive impact in our communities. She is a member of the South African Hypertension Society (SAHS) and Hypertension Australia.

  Dr Charity Masilela

  Senior Lecturer
  Charity.Masilela@nwu.ac.za
  A17-104, Mahikeng Campus, Mahikeng
  PhD (Biotechnology), Msc (Biochemistry)
  Pharmacogenomics and Precision Medicine.

Dr. Masilela is appointed as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physiology, where she teaches service modules for Nursing and Sports Sciences. Her research interests lie at the intersection of precision medicine, pharmacogenomics, and public health. By integrating these disciplines, she aims to transform approaches to the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic diseases at both individual and population levels.