Director
Dr. June Fabian is a specialist physician and nephrologist and heads up the Clinical Research Office at WDGMC. She is a joint staff member in the Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand and is actively involved in under and post graduate supervision of various research projects. She is passionate about doing research that is relevant and sensitive to the health requirements of South Africans. At WDGMC she is driven to assist clinicians with their research so that WDGMC can make a valuable contribution to the "science" of medical practice and to enable the CRO team to grow and develop the necessary skills required for expanding our research capacity.
Research Nurse and Database Manager
Sr. Heather Maher is a professional nurse who assists in the development, management and maintenance of a large number of research databases hosted by the Clinical Research Office, and she has a particular interest in ‘big data’. Heather works primarily with a database called REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) and advises researchers on database set-up, data collection, maintenance, data storage and data extraction. Heather has co-authored a number of academic publications. Heather has passion for people and is driven to promote collection of robust, health data that will have an impact on people’s lives.
Ethics and Regulatory
Dr. Harriet Etheredge is a medical bioethicist and health communication specialist, with a particular interest in ethical and communicative challenges across highly specialised medical settings. Harriet is a Co-Chair of the Wits Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical) and at national level she is a member of the South African Medical Research Council HREC(M). Harriet advises on research protocol, ethics submission, research compliance and research regulation. Harriet holds an honorary position in the Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, at Wits University. Before joining WDGMC, Harriet undertook her doctoral studies in the field of medical ethics and organ transplantation. Harriet is a widely published academic author and has presented her work at both local and international fora. Harriet regularly presents CPD and CME ethics talks for health professionals and industry. Harriet was named as one of the Mail and Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans in 2016.
Research Nurse
Soneni Maphosa is a professional nurse and Research Coordinator for the Medical Research Council CURE Colorectal Cancer Study. Before joining the Clinical Research Office, Soneni spent 5 years as a Research nurse at the Aurum Institute. Soneni has been actively involved in the "New Start" HIV Counselling and Testing centres run by Population Services International. Through her experience as an HIV counsellor, Soneni developed a desire to further her studies in fields that enable effective interactions with clients. These skills prove especially valuable in Soneni’s daily interactions with a wide variety of patients across Johannesburg.
Clinical Associate
Nompumelelo "Mpumie" Mahlambi is a Clinical Associate who has a great interest in researching diseases and medical conditions with unknown, misunderstood or unexplained causes. Mpumie also strives to be involved in projects that bring about new information within the medical field. Prior to joining the research team at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Mpumie studied at the University of Witwatersrand and she is currently a researcher for the Medical Research Council CURE Colorectal Cancer Study that is taking place at various Wits academic hospitals.
Data Capturer
Masupha Adoro is a data capturer for the WDGMC Clinical Research Office, where he has worked since 2013. During his time at WDGMC Masupha has worked on a number of projects, some of which have been published in academic journals. Masupha has been trained in data capture across various health-science settings, and he particularly enjoys field work and real-time data collection. Before coming to WDGMC he conducted field work for projects run by the Wits University Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics.
Data Capturer
Nonkululeko Portia Xakoshe is a data capturer for the Medical Research Council CURE Colorectal Cancer Study. Nonkululeko matriculated in 2013 and subsequently studied HIV and AIDS Counselling through the Oxbridge Academy. Nonkululeko loves working on challenging projects and in environments where she can use her counselling skills to make a difference in people’s lives. Nonkululeko’s passion is youth-based work, and her counselling and listening skills greatly enhance her day-to-day work at WDGMC.
Data Capturer
Lincoln Lethola Nhlapo is a part-time data capturer for the Medical Research Council CURE Colorectal Cancer Study. Lincoln has primarily been working on the Medical Research Council CURE Colorectal Cancer Study. Lincoln has a particular interest in information and computer technology, and he brings these skills to bear in his work at the Clinical Research Office. In his spare time, Lincoln pursues his studies in hospitality management.
Data Capturer
Prudence Mashegoana is a data capturer in the Research Office of Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre. She is primarily involved with the transplant programme, where she works with liver and kidney data. Before joining WDGMC, Prudence studied at North-West University were she obtained her degree in Behavioural Sciences. This field exposed her to different phenomena in psychology, and advanced her understanding and interpretation of human behaviour. Prudence plans to further her studies with a view to assisting patients who require psychological intervention. In her spare time, Prucence enjoys reading and writing.
