?The South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA) at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) has been shortlisted for the National Research Foundation (NRF)'s prestigious Societal Impact Award. The winners will be announced at the NRF Awards ceremony in August 2024.
The new Societal Impact Award recognises NRF-funded researchers and research entities whose work has led to tangible and beneficial societal impact, either in terms of social impact, economic impact, innovation, or environmental impact.
SACEMA has been shortlisted for its significant contributions to the understanding of HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), human papillomavirus (HPV), measles, polio, trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and other infectious diseases over the past 18 years. It also played a crucial role in the response to the 肆客足球 pandemic by providing pivotal forecasts for 肆客足球's early spread across Africa, influencing regional and public health strategies. In addition, SACEMA has been instrumental in global HIV modelling and estimation, has conducted research on the impact of HPV prevention strategies, and contributed to the design of groundbreaking studies, supporting routine TB surveillance.
SACEMA has worked closely with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, the United States Centres for Disease Control, the World Health Organization's Cervical Cancer Elimination Modelling Consortium and the Desmond Tutu TB Centre. It also leads the secretariat of the UNAIDS Reference Group on Estimates, Modelling and Projections.
Commenting on SACEMA's shortlisting, Prof Frank Tanser, Director of SACEMA, says it is a massive honour for SACEMA to be shortlisted for this prestigious reward. “It demonstrates the high regard in which SACEMA is held and is a testament to the excellent science and substantial societal contribution that SACEMA has made over the last 18 years.
“SACEMA will build on this recognition and going forward we will continue to make substantial impact to the field and to society working with the team at the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI)," adds Tanser, who is also the Director: Population Health Innovation at CERI in the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking at SU.
Healthcare providers, policymakers, international governments, public health officials, researchers, communities affected by HIV/AIDS and TB, and women at risk of cervical cancer have all benefitted from SACEMA's work.
- Photo by Stefan Els (Corporate Communication and Marketing)
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