In celebration of Women’s Month the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) cordially invites you to a conversation with Prof Refilwe Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya on Learning Curves from my Non-linear Career Journey. In this presentation, Prof Phaswana-Mafuya will take a retrospective look at her phenomenal and remarkable career journey; she will track and trace her contributions to the HIV and AIDS and COVID-19 pandemics as well as her service to society through science engagement; science communication; and building research capacities, among others.

She will also reflect on lessons learnt and the breaking of barriers in advancing academic, research and science careers drawing from her book (in press): Vision never dies: from village girl to an award winning fighter of pandemics.

Date:  3 August 2021

Time:  11:00 – 12:00

Venue:  Zoom

RSVP:  Click here

About Prof Refilwe Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya

Prof Refilwe Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya, is Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health, Master of Public Health Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, University of Johannesburg (UJ). She obtained a MA (Social Work), Postgraduate Diploma (Epidemiology), MSc (Epidemiology) and PhD from the University of Limpopo (UL) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).

She is guest epidemiology lecturer at Pan African University of Life and Earth Sciences based at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and teaches epidemiology to MSc reproductive biology and MSc reproductive health students.  She is the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor at North-West University (NWU).

Preceding this, she was an acting Executive Director, Research Director and Chief Research Manager at the HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Research Programme, Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) for nearly 13 years.

She was awarded the NSTF TW Nkambule Award in 2017 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Science, Engineering and Technology – 15 years after obtaining PhD. She is an ASSAf Member and serves on the ASSAf Council. She is also an NRF rated scientist and Member of the NRF Board. Lastly, she is member of the International Expert Panel on Infectiology, representing the African Continent; African Academy of Sciences  (AAS) and Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD).  

Programme

11:00 – 11:05  Welcome, Background and Introduction, Prof Himla Soodyall, ASSAf Executive Officer

11:05 – 11:45   Learning Curves from my Non-linear Career Journey, Prof Refilwe Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya  

11:45 – 11:55      Q&A,  Facilitator: Prof Himla Soodyall

11:55 – 12:00      Closing