the Mastercard Foundation, Stellenbosch University and the Institute Pasteur Unveils African STARS Fellowship Programme to Empower the Next Generation of Health Leaders in Africa.

CLIMADE consortium are releasing the 2024 edition of the Climate Change and Epidemics report at the WHO COP29 Health Pavilion. This comprehensive report, produced by an international team of over 100 scientists and policymakers highlights the growing intersection of climate change and infectious disease outbreaks, with 2024 marking a record year for new and amplified epidemics.

21 November 2024, Baku, Azerbaijan — On the final day of COP29, an international team of over 100 scientists and policymakers released the 2024 edition of the Climate Change and Epidemics report at the WHO Pavilion. This comprehensive study highlights the growing intersection of climate change and infectious disease outbreaks, with 2024 marking a record year for new and amplified epidemics.

The Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), Stellenbosch University, South Africa, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Brazil, Brazilian Ministry of Health and Insituto National de Saude (INS), Mozambique invite you to the ‘Climate Amplified Disease and Epidemics (CLIMADE): Characterization of and Response to epidemics in the Global South’ event at the COP28 Blue Zone.

We invite you to join our center of excellence. If you hold a PhD in Bioinformatics, Data Science, Microbiology/Virology, and have a passion for research in metagenomics and meta-transcriptomics within a One Health framework, this is your opportunity! Be part of a pioneering team and contribute to groundbreaking global science. Apply by December 1, 2024, and start your innovative journey in 2025.

We invite applications from ambitious postdoctoral scientists for a 3-year fellowship in partnership with the CLIMADE consortium at the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI). This transdisciplinary project focuses on leveraging satellite data, remote sensing, GIS, and climate modeling to advance spatial epidemiology research. The successful candidate will integrate genomic and geospatial data to develop predictive models that monitor and control infectious disease outbreaks influenced by climate change.

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

Publication in PLoS Biology, new website & tools to better classify Dengue genomes for public health response.

Nature News coverage of our work and how climate sensitive pathoges are becoming increasingly common as the insects that spread them move north.

Over four days, more than 20 fellows from nine countries gained advanced skills in data analytics, including epidemiological modeling, phylogenetics, metagenomics, data visualization, AI, and bash scripting.

A new proposal draws inspiration from FIFA’s benefit sharing model to support fair reward systems in global health, especially in pandemic preparedness.

Six months can make a world of difference, especially when spent in a hub of scientific excellence. This was certainly the case for Débora Glenda Lima de LaRoque, a PhD student from the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil, who came to Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) to enhance her research in dengue virus phylogenetics and phylodynamics.

As part of the National Science Week 2024, the team at KRISP hosted 50 students from Chesterville Secondary School and KwaMathanda High School in Durban.

This inaugural lectured titled on Unveiling the Hidden World Within Us: What Environmental Microbiomes Can Teach Us About Ourselves, explored how these microbial communities are active, essential contributors to ecosystems and human health.

Lessons from the Public Square Workshop. In the world of research, deadlines are relentless, and competition for funding is fierce. Without strong grant writing skills, even the most innovative ideas can fall through the cracks.

Key learning points from Prof. Tulio de Oliveira on the Art of Grant Writing Workshop. Published at the gem: genomics, epidemics & microbes - Oct/Nov 2024

The ‘Africa in the world’ festival has the world’s brightest on the African continent engage in all fields of human endeavour.

The Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) in collaboration with Roche Diagnostics is excited to announce a specialized two-day training programme on DNA Library Preparation focused on Genetics and Oncology.

We invite applications from ambitious postdoctoral scientists to undertake research in a flagship program focused on the impact of extreme weather events on the mental health of vulnerable populations in Africa. Ideal candidates should have a background in quantitative methods, which may include expertise in thematic analysis and software such as NVivo or ATLAS.ti. Experience with participatory research is preferred, and candidates should demonstrate strong skills in high-quality research and data analysis.

Apply now for the GHA-SciEX scientific exchange program, offering early-career researchers from Africa and Europe the chance to participate in short-term research visits focused on genomics and health. Don't miss this opportunity to boost your skills and foster international collaboration!

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

A new virus emerge from the Amazon Forest Basin and is spreading in Latin America text: Iani et al. medRXiV, 2024.08.02.24311415v2

The world’s most advanced genomics and bioinformatics training on virus evolution and molecular epidemiology (VEME) was hosted in Brasília in parnership with FioCruz, Brazilian Ministry of Health, PAHO & CERI

The second Global Pandemic Preparedness Summit (GPPS), held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 29 to 30, 2024, brought together leading experts and global leaders to confront the growing challenges posed by pandemics in an era of climate change.

This event, held at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on 21 August, was organized by the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME) in collaboration with the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch University. It drew an audience of over 150 high school learners, teachers, community leaders, and members of the public, offering an opportunity to explore the vital role of microbes—including bacteria, fungi, protists, and viruses—in relation to climate change.

First Time in Africa in Over 40 Years: from borgs, to climate change and African microbiome network, a historic event happens in South Africa: The 19th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME19).

As we graduated the first batch of MSc students and continue to support PhD AI students, our partnership with AIMS and Google Deep-Mind expands

The National Research Foundation (NRF) acknowledged the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA) at Stellenbosch University as one of three finalists (out of 35 research centres) for the prestigious Societal Impact Award at a ceremony held on 22 August 2024 at Sun City Resort, North West Province.

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

Stellenbosch University's Professor Tulio de Oliveira has been featured on Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in Health list for his pioneering work in virus detection in Africa and beyond. Recognized in the Pioneers category, he celebrates the significant investment and impact of his research.