Current News
News of the Department of Human Biology

Sharmilah was a cherished colleague, friend and teacher and a ray of sunshine, with a bubbly personality, ready smile and good humour. She will be sorely missed but will not be forgotten by those of us who were fortunate to know her.

Thanks to rigorous COVID-19 health and safety protocols, the Department of Human Biology has maintained its body donor programme without risking staff or students. The programme is essential to teaching anatomy and new surgical techniques.
The department is delighted to welcome several adjunct and honorary appointees and congratulate our new colleagues to their appointments.

Congratulations to Prof Vicki Lambert from the Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine for being recognised in the 2020 Web of Science Highly Cited Researchers | WOS Highly Cited 2020

In September Tadej Pogačar won the 2020 Tour de France cycle race. Pogačar is a member of the rising UAE Team Emirates, whose medical team is led by Associate Professor Jeroen Swart and includes several other doctors from the Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine in the Department of Human Biology.

Congratulations to Desiree Bowers and Dr Paul Steyn to their ad hominem promotions to Principal Technical Officers.

Calling all HUB staff and students to contribute to the online CANSA Shavaton: Donate money to CANSA. Get hairspray can to spray your own hair. Show your exciting hairstyle at the online Shavathon on 2 November 2020. Details to follow. | Flyer
Congratulations to Drs Asfree Gwanyanya, Frances Robertson, Jacqui Friedling, Jeroen Swart and Tinashe Mutsvangwa on their academic ad hominem promotions who acknowledge the outstanding contributions made by these colleagues to the Department, Faculty and University.

Calling all HUB Honours, Masters & PhD students & post-doctoral researchers: Submit your abstract for the 2020 HUB Research Day! Share your research and win a prize! Closing date: 30 Oct | Download call

MSc student Lara Timm from HUB's Division of Biomedical Engineering calls her ear saver solution the UCT Hearo. It’s a neat and practical design that improves the comfort and fit of face masks worn by frontline medical staff to contain COVID-19.

The shortage of ventilators for critical COVID-19 cases has been a challenge worldwide and was taken up by South Africa's National Ventilator Project. The Medical Devices Laboratory OpenAir Ventilation project in HUB's Division of Biomedical Engineering identified the need long before it became critical.

On 9 Aug 1956, 20,000 women courageously stood against social injustice. Today we celebrate their determination and strength as we continue to fight against inequality, domestic violence and poverty. Happy Women’s Day from all of us in HUB!