Charlene Africa

Professor Charlene Africa has worked in industry, private pathology as well as academic research institutes in Cape Town, Durban, London and Kansas City.
Her lecturing experience covers 3rd, 4th and 5th year dental students, 1st and 2nd year oral hygienists, 3rd year and Honours Medical Biosciences students and the Masters programme of Women and Gender studies in the Arts Faculty.
Academic leadership includes membership of several Departmental, Faculty, Senate and Council committees particularly those pertaining to appointments/promotions, discipline, equity and gender. Served three terms in the position of Deputy Dean (Gender and Equity) in the Faculty of Science and Cluster Head for Medical Microbiology in the Department of Medical Biosciences.
Participated in many workshops and conferences on gender and equity. Holds membership in several professional societies and served 2 terms on the board of the International Union of Microbiological Societies and the International Council of Scientific Unions.
Research awards include research scholarships from the British Council, Medical Research Council, National Research Foundation, Africa Educational Trust, Sugar Association of SA, Dental Association of SA and United Nations. Author/co-author of 66 peer- reviewed publications and conference proceedings,1 book chapter and 1 book, with 41 national and 38 international conference presentations. Broad research topic is “Maternal Endogenous Infections and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes” with special emphasis on the anaerobic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria associated with these infections and their effect on neonate morbidity and mortality. Current postgraduate research supervision includes 5 PhD, 5 MSc and 3 Hons students. To date, 5 PhD, 5 MSc and 16 hons - have completed/graduated.