NEWS SPOTLIGHT

KRISP NEWS

Dr. Jennifer Giandhari Honored at Women Tech Innovation Programme Launch

Dr. Jennifer Giandhari was honored with a Certificate of Recognition for her outstanding contributions to genomics at the inaugural Women Technology Innovation Programme by TIA, celebrating the role of women in driving innovation and inclusivity in STEM.

HARVEST Trial Highlights South - South Collaboration

Dr. Richard Lessells joined collaborators in Kampala, Uganda, for the unblinding of the HARVEST trial, a major South-South research initiative evaluating high-dose rifampicin for TB meningitis, culminating in the rapid drafting and submission of the study's main manuscript.

From Ice to Insights: Two PhD Students’ Antarctic Research Journeys

PhD students Nosipho Hlalukana and Mayibongwe Buthelezi conducted pioneering research in Antarctica, exploring how marine microbes influence climate change and seeking biotechnologically relevant compounds in the Southern Ocean.

Multi-omics symposium and workshop in Oldenburg, Germany

Dr. Nonsikelelo Hlongwa and PhD student Keith Dube attended the Anvi’o Workshop and Early-Career Researcher Symposium in Germany, gaining advanced training in microbial ‘omics and engaging with the international microbial ecology community.

the gem: genomics, epidemics & microbes - Mar 2025

the gem is a monthly magazine produced by CERI, SACEMA and the Data School at Stellenbosch University and KRISP at UKZN. The objective is to provide stories of world class African science that impact lives and train the next generation of scientists in Africa.

SACEMA Honored for Societal Impact at Cape Chamber’s Inaugural Academic Innovation Awards

SACEMA has received the Societal Impact Award at the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Academic Innovation Awards for its impactful work in infectious disease modelling. The centre has played a pivotal role in shaping public health strategies and training epidemiological experts across Africa.

Scientific Seminar-From Data to Action: Leveraging Genomics & Geospatial Data for Public Health Response

Join us and Christina Riley from Akros for a seminar on how genomics and geospatial data are revolutionizing disease surveillance and public health response strategies. The event takes place on 26 March 2025 at SU Tygerberg Campus and online.

PUBLICATIONS SPOTLIGHT

KRISP SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

Artificial intelligence for modelling infectious disease epidemics.
Kraemer M, Tsui J, Chang S, Lytras S, Khurana M, Vanderslott S, Bajaj S, Scheidwasser N, Curran-Sebastian J, Semenova E, Zhang M, Unwin H, Watson O, Mills C, Dasgupta A, Ferretti L, Scarpino S, Koua E, Morgan O, Tegally H, Paquet U, Moutsianas L, Fraser C, Ferguson N, Topol E, Duchêne D, Stadler T, Kingori P, Parker M, Dominici F, Shadbolt N, Suchard M, Ratmann O, Flaxman S, Holmes E, Gomez-Rodriguez M, Schölkopf B, Donnelly C, Pybus O, Cauchemez S, Bhatt S, Nature (2025), 638(8051):623-635. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08564-w.:.

Spatiotemporal disease suitability prediction for Oropouche virus and the role of vectors across the Americas.
Poongavanan J, Dunaiski M, D’or G, Kraemer M, Giovanetti M, Lim A, Brady O, Baxter C, Fonseca V, Alcantara L, de Oliveira T, Tegally H, medRxiv (2025), doi: 10.1101/2025.02.28.25323068.:.

Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 intrahost genetic evolution in vaccinated and non-vaccinated patients from the Kenyan population.
Lugano D, Mwangi K, Mware B, Kibet G, Osiany S, Kiritu E, Dobi P, Muli C, Njeru R, de Oliveira T, Njenga M, Routh A, Oyola S, medRxiv (2025), doi: 10.1101/2025.03.03.25323296.:.

Unveiling novel features and phylogenomic assessment of indigenous Priestia megaterium AB-S79 using comparative genomics.
Adeniji A, Chukwuneme C, Conceição E, Ayangbenro A, Wilkinson E, Maasdorp E, de Oliveira T, Babalola O, Microbiology Spectrum (2025), doi: 10.1128/spectrum.01466-24.:.

Genomic Characterization of Circulating Dengue Virus, Ethiopia, 2022–2023.
Abera A, Tegally H, Tasew G, Wilkinson E, Ali A, Regasa F, Bitew M, Belachew M, Chabuka L, Mwanyika G, Tshiabuila D, Giandhari J, Pillay S, Poogavanan J, Moir M, Kraemer M, Khan K, Huber C, Tollera G, de Wit T, Baxter C, Lessells R, Wolday D, Beyene D, de Oliveira T, , Emerging Infectious Diseases (2025), 31(3):. doi: 10.3201/eid3103.240996.:.

Infectious diseases in a warming world: A call for action.
Moir M, Baxter C, Tegally H, de Oliveira T, South African Journal of Science (2025), 121(3/4):. doi: 10.17159/sajs.2025/20722.:.

Travel-associated international spread of Oropouche virus beyond the Amazon.
de Melo Iani F, Pereira F, de Oliveira E, Rodrigues J, Machado M, Fonseca V, Adelino T, Guimarães N, Tomé L, Gómez M, Nardy V, Ribeiro A, Rosewell A, Ferreira ?, Silva de Mello A, Fernandes B, de Albuquerque C, dos Santos Pereira D, Pimentel E, Lima F, Silva F, de Carvalho Pereira G, Tegally H, Almeida J, Moreno K, Vasconcelos K, Santos L, Silva L, Frutuoso L, Lamounier L, Costa M, de Oliveira M, dos Anjos M, Ciccozzi M, Lima M, Pereira M, Rocha M, de Souza da Silva P, Rabinowitz P, de Almeida P, Lessells R, Gazzinelli R, da Cunha R, Gonçalves S, dos Santos S, de Alcântara Belettini S, Pedroso S, Araújo S, da Silva S, Croda J, Maciel E, Van Voorhis W, Martin D, Holmes E, de Oliveira T, Lourenço J, Alcantara L, Giovanetti M, Journal of Travel Medicine (2025), doi: 10.1093/jtm/taaf018.:.

KRISP VIDEOS

COVID-19 | News sub-variant being monitored closely
By: Tulio De Oliveira and CERI and KRISP teams

KRISP BIOINFORMATICS TOOLS