“We are not chasing awards. We are much more focused on trying to help public health’s response to the epidemic,” Prof Tulio de Oliveira, director of the Centre for Epidemic Research and Innovation (CERI), told MatieMedia earlier this month.
This came after he had been awarded the 2022 Gold Medal from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC).
Prof Tulio de Oliveira is a bioinformatician at Stellenbosch University. PHOTO: Facebook/Stellenbosch University
More recently, De Oliveira again made headlines following his discovery of two new Omicron sub-variants, according to Dr Cheryl Baxter, head of scientific support at CERI.
The research team at CERI, led by De Oliveira, detected the BA.4 and BA.5 variants through the constant monitoring of changes in Covid-19, stated Baxter. “The variants have originated in mid-December 2021 and early January 2022, respectively,” said Baxter.
There is a decrease in immunity in the new sub-variants, which have started to spread throughout the country, “particularly that [immunity] acquired from BA.1 infection”, explained Baxter.
Prof Tulio de Oliveira described how his team of researchers work in different groups to battle the Covid-19 pandemic. AUDIO: Liam Abercrombie
The Gold Medal
The Gold Medal is annually awarded to researchers who have made substantial and influential contributions to health in the world, according to the SAMRC website.
This award gives recognition and highlights the fact that South Africa is able to do high level science, stated De Oliveira, who received the award at the ceremony held on 10 March.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and minister Blade Nzimande on a visit to the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) laboratory at the faculty of health and medical sciences at Stellenbosch University in January this year. PHOTO: Supplied/Tulio de Oliveira
“We are honoured to recognise one of the leading scholars and an excellent researcher in genomic surveillance,” stated Dumile Mlambo, public relations manager at SAMRC. “Professor De Oliveira continues to play a critical role in the fight against Covid-19 through monitoring the genomes of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa […],” Mlambo stated via email correspondence with MatieMedia.
In 2021, De Oliveira was named amongst the top 10 most influential scientists by Nature, a science journal.
“I don’t mind much about these awards – the only good thing is that South Africa is being more respected globally,” said De Oliveira.
The genomics centre at the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) is located at the faculty of health and medical sciences at Stellenbosch University. “CERI is involved in the new mRna hub which is the hub that will manufacture vaccines for Africa,” stated Dr Cheryl Baxter, head of scientific support at CERI. PHOTO: Supplied/Tulio de Oliveira
In South Africa, scientists are able to work together because most of the Covid-19 science in the country is funded by the department of science innovation and the SAMRC, according to De Oliveira.
“This does not only allow scientists and trialists to work together but allows for good communication between the department of health and department of science and innovation,” said De Oliveira.