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We do it...
We dream big but prioritise to respond to the most pressing problems...
CERI is a centre of the Stellenbosch University. We are a team of scientists, clinicians and public health officials. We build in our successful experience of the Network for Genomic Surveillance in South Africa (NGS-SA) with like minded people who do generate ideas and realize them.
The first phase of the CERI is being currently completed with the setup of an state-of-the-art Genomics Centre at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (FHMS) new Biomedical Research Innovation building (BMRI) and the creation of the CERI-Data team at the School of Computational Thinking and Faculty of Sciences in Stellenbosch University. In the second phase, CERI is planning to merge with the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) to create a multi-institutional institute with different campus in South Africa and potentially in Africa.
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Contact us:
Director: Prof. Tulio de Oliveira
Science support: Dr. Cheryl Baxter
Genomics Centre: Dr. Yeshnee Naidoo
Bioinformatics: Dr. Eduan Wilkinsom
Grants & Contracts:: Suzette Grobler
Procurement & Students: Zethu Luthuli
Media Enquires: Paul Harris
Complaints: CERI@sun.ac.za
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Meet Our Team
Our team of scientists have experience in infectious diseases, public health, genomics, bioinformatics and epidemiology.
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Dr Adetomiwa Adeniji My research goal is to apply system biology analytical approaches to understand host-microbe interactions, identify ways to better combat emerging infectious diseases, and promote effective disease treatment strategies. |
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Dr Cheryl Baxter Head of Scientific Support at CERI.My main research focus is HIV prevention, specifically strategies to reduce HIV acquisition among young women and issues related to sexual and reproductive health. More recently, I have been contributing to Covid-19 research, particularly the monitoring of the epidemic trends. In addition to my research experience, I have a passion for capacity development. |
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Prof. Tulio de Oliveira My research interests concentrate on viral evolution under selection pressure created in the transmission, acquisition, and drug escape processes. A particular point of interest is on the study of viruses's origins and the effect of the network of transmissions in the spread of epidemics in Africa and other continents. I also enjoy developing bioinformatics software applications and running a next-generation sequencing (NGS) and innovation research centre. |
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Mr Stepfan De Villiers My passion is identifying, understanding, and analyzing microorganisms responsible for infectious diseases and I hold a deep interest in advancing my studies and a career in Molecular Biology and Epidemiology. |
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Zuretha Els My research focused on packaging logistics and operating conditions. I have a great love for traveling, but when I am at home my two huskies, Hunter and Baloo, keeps me entertained. We like to take long strolls on the beach and to swim in the ocean! |
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Dr Vagner Fonseca My research interests concentrate on viral evolution under selection pressure created in the transmission, NGS of 2nd and 3rd generation sequencing. A particular point of interest is the study of viruses' origins and the effect of the network of transmissions in the spread of epidemics in Brazil and other continents. I also enjoy developing bioinformatics software to make users' lives more conformable with a more user-friendly interface application. |
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Suzette Grobler Senior Grants and Contract Manager at CERI. |
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Zama Khathi-Majyambere I am passionate about supporting teams, streamlining operations, and contributing to a dynamic and efficient work environment. |
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Maambele Khosa I recently joined CERI to spearhead Marketing, Media, and Communication. Currently completing a master's degree in science and technology, I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing and a Bachelor of Science in Geoinformatics and Information Systems Management from the University of Stellenbosch. |
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Prof Lenine Liebenberg Prof Lenine Liebenberg's work in mucosal immunology is predominantly focused on understanding and mitigating the impact of sexually transmitted infections on public health. |
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Gwynneth Louw She started her career in research and the medical field 7 years ago as a data capture for TB Research and has since landed her current post as a research administrator at CERI Labs in which she enjoys the work, the people and the CERI culture. |
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Zethu Luthuli I am the Project Coordinator at CERI. I joined CERI in 2021 and I am response for the administrative projects’ coordination, communicating with and assisting postgrad students and post-doctoral fellows, procurement (procuring of goods and services), Grants Management & Finance admin support. |
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Dr Moise Majyambere Dr Moise Majyambere is currently a Senior Research Support Officer at CERI: Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (Stellenbosch University). |
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Prof Thulani Makhalanyane Prof Thulani Makhalanyane's research focuses on understanding the ecology of microbial communities in extreme environments. |
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Dr Monika Moir Post-Doctoral Fellow at CERI - I was awarded a PhD in 2020 which focused on the ecology and conservation of bats in forests in South Africa with specialisation in the fields of bioacoustics, population genetics, phylogeography and landscape ecology. |
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Dr Yeshnee Naidoo Laboratory Manager at CERI. My main interest is HIV Drug resistance in South Africa and translational research to implement activities designed to make precision medicine technologies available to the public. |
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Dr. Sunday Oladejo I recently joined CERI as a joint postdoctoral fellow with a research background in mobile networks, optimization, machine learning, and data science. My research interest lies in the intersection of machine learning, data science, and health sciences. |
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Tebogo Ramakutoane I am a qualified medical laboratory technician with over 10 years’ experience working in Clinical research trial laboratories. I also have a Masters in Biotechnology, with the main area of research focusing on the control fungal pathogen. |
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Dr. Lavanya Singh Leads Laboratory and Quality Management at CERI, Stellenbosch University. With extensive experience in HIV research and molecular diagnostics, she has worked on HIV drug resistance and the development of pathogen detection methods, DNA sequencing, and qPCR, previously managing the ISO15189:2012-accredited diagnostic lab at KRISP. |
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Prof Frank Tanser Professor Frank Tanser is a South African scientist whose research aims to evaluate and design intervention strategies to drive back the HIV epidemic and its negative consequences in communities hardest hit by the epidemic |
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Dr. Houriiyah Tegally Houriiyah Tegally holds a PhD in Virology & Bioinformatics and is currently Head of Data Science at the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, focusing on the genomic epidemiology and evolution of viral pathogens South Africa and Africa. |
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Astrid Treffry-Goatley My research focuses on the impact of extreme weather events on the mental health of vulnerable African populations, community engagement, and transdisciplinary research, integrating participatory visual methods to address health issues such as HIV adherence, climate-sensitive risks, and gender-based violence. |
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Velda Wentzel I joined CERI as a Laboratory Technician looking for a new challenge after working in different diagnostic labs for many years as a Medical Technologist. |
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Dr. Eduan Wilkinson My main focus is on infectious diseases of public health concern which are impacted by the climate crises. This includes water and vector borne diseases (e.g. Cholera or Dengue). |
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Dr. Joicymara Xavier I recently joined CERI for a PhD exchange period under the supervision of Prof. Tulio de Oliveira. I am a professor at the Federal University of Vales do Jequitinhonha and Mucuri (UFVJM) and co-founder of an NGO that teaches programming to young and socially vulnerable girls (Código X). Currently, I'm enrolled in a PhD in Bioinformatics with a focus on predicting the effects of mutations in the structure and function of proteins |
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Nondumiso Zakwe I am responsible for effective sample management and LIMS coordination. I hold a BSc Honours degree in Biochemistry and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration. With laboratory experience spanning various industries, I approach my work at CERI with a multidimensional perspective. |
Students and Fellows
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Haingo Andry I've worked in software development. Currently, I'm pursuing my PhD in Applied Mathematics at CERI Stellenbosch University, where my research specializes in applying AI to epidemic response strategies. My primary interest lies in using machine learning techniques to address challenges in public health and healthcare. |
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Lucious Chabuka Lucious Chabuka (Medical Laboratory Scientist) from Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) I joined CERI in February 2022 with the goal of pursuing my Masters Degree My vision is to utilize advanced genomics research I am acquiring here at CERI throughout Africa. My work has so far included Molecular Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Eastern and Southern part of Africa. In light of the global benefits that genomic surveillance in this region of the continent has provided, I envisage constructing crucial advances. |
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Wonderful Choga His research focuses on investigating numerous genome-wide variants associated with osteochondrodysplasia and limb abnormalities within the South African population. Wonderful's academic background includes a Master of Science in Medicine, with specialization in Human Genetics. He received this degree with distinction from the prestigious University of Cape Town. |
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Danilo de Castro Silva I completed my undergrad in Computer Engineering at UNIFEI (Brazil) and now I'm a CERI member searching for innovation, collaboration and knowledge while doing my masters degree at Stellenbosch University. |
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Graeme Dor My passion lies at the intersection of GIS, data science, and public health, as I strive to contribute and leverage data-driven insights for the betterment of public healthcare system in Africa. |
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Sheylle Green My research evaluated the efficacy of shotgun metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for pathogen detection in children with respiratory infections, compared to multiplex viral PCR |
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Kerwin Liedeman Medical Biological Scientist (HPCSA) in the specialization of clinical diagnostic virology based at the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI). Current Ph.D. fellow at Stellenbosch University with a focus on viral pathogen surveillance for implementation in ISO15189 environments. |
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Akhil Maharaj After obtaining my Honors degree in Genetics, I joined the CERI-KRISP team in 2022 as a research intern. In 2023, I was offered an opportunity by CERI to further my skills and pursue my Masters degree, majoring in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at the University of Stellenbosch. |
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Yusasha Pillay Post-Graduate Research Fellow at CERI - I joined CERI-KRISP as a Research Assistant in 2021 as part of the Next Generation Sequencing team. I am currently pursuing my Masters in Medical Virology in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Stellenbosch. |
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Yajna Ramphal Genomics Africa fellow - I had joined CERI- KRISP as a research intern in 2021 as part of the Next Generation Sequencing lab team, as of 2022 I will be pursuing my postgraduate degree in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics at the University of Stellenbosch. My interests include the vast and expanding field of data science, epidemiology, epigenetics, gene regulation and genomic research. |
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Nikita Sitharam I am pursuing a masters degree in bioinformatics at Stellenbosch University with CERI. My research interests include evolutionary biology, specifically phylogenetics and population genetics. |
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Carlin Foka Takamgno My research bridges machine learning, spatial epidemiology, and ecology, with a focus on epidemic prediction, phylogeography, and species/disease distribution modelling |
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Derek Tshiabuila I began my postgraduate journey at the KwaZulu Natal Research and Innovation Sequencing Platform (KRISP) in 2020. Coming from a genetics and microbiology background, I decided to focus on bioinformatics and completed my Master of Medical Science degree majoring in virology and bioinformatics systems in 2022. I was then offered a PhD research fellow position at CERI in 2023, majoring in bioinformatics and computational biology. |
