I have been an integral part of Professor Amanda Lochner's Cardiovascular Research team since 1993. We have contributed significantly to and understanding of the mechanisms involved in the cardioprotection induced by ischaemic preconditioning (IPC). We have recently been awarded RNA (Research Niche Area) status from the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa in "Molecular and Cellular Processes in Cardiovascular Degeneration: Strategies for Prevention and Protection". Personally, I was evaluated by NRF as an Y2-Rated Researcher (since 2007). A researcher in this group is recognized by reviewers (locally and internationally) as having the potential to establish him/herself as a researcher. The rating system recognizes researchers who produce quality research outputs and remain internationally competitive.
I was a main contributor to the ground-breaking work which identified the beta-adrenergic-cAMP and NO-cGMP pathways as essential triggers of cardioprotection during IPC. Subsequent work in which I played a major role (4 first authorships) mapped the molecular pathways downstream of cAMP. Much of this work has been published in highly respected and internationally recognized peer reviewed journals (including Circulation, the American Journal of Physiology and the New York Academy of Sciences): a total of 21 publications (1993-2008), four as first author (2 papers in the prestigious journal, J Mol Cell Cardiol) and a chief author of an invited chapter in "Myocardial Ischaemia and Preconditioning" (2002). I have been reporting research at (i) International Congresses: Total of 26 poster presentations (16 refereed/peer reviewed, 1992-2005). Invited-speaker at European Society of Cardiology, Berlin, Germany in 2002 and (ii) National Congresses: Total of 38 oral presentations (1993-2008).
In 2002 I was awarded my PhD degree in Medical Biochemistry and Physiology. I have been working as a permanent Technical Officer in the Division of Medical Physiology at Stellenbosch University, since November 1999.
Currently, I am the primary investigator of a self-initiated project titled: "Investigating the role of exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) in ischaemic preconditioning mediated cardioprotection", which is financially supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and Harry/Dorris Crossley Trust.
I am part-time involved in teaching of (i) BSc Honours Students from Medical Physiology, Human Physiology and Medical Biochemistry on Signal Transduction Pathways (2003-present); (ii) Medical students (MBChB 1) in Muscle Physiology (2003) and Cell Membrane Physiology (2005) and (iii) also involved in tutoring of Practical Laboratory Skills to all new assistants and students.
