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Dr Hulda Swai is a principal researcher in biomaterials research and focuses on the development of nano-drug delivery systems, with emphasis on delivering tuberculosis (TB), malaria and HIV/Aids drugs.
Current activities and research interests
Dr Swai is the principal investigator and leads a consortium and network of collaborators nationally and internationally involved in developing a drug-delivery system aiming to address patient non-compliance, toxicity, dose frequency, length of treatment, cost, and bioavailability of drugs in the treatment of these three infectious diseases.
Current research involves optimising the polymeric nano-drug delivery system through in vitro and in vivo studies.
Formal education
1980, BSc, University of Dar-es-Salaam
1985, MSc, University of London, Imperial college of Science and Technology
2000, PhD Biomaterial, University of London, Queen Mary & Westerfield College
Experience
Prior to joining the CSIR, Swai did her doctoral studies at the University of London (part time 1996-2000), where she also worked for nine years. The subject of her PhD was ’Water Absorption and Drug Release from Methacrylate Polymers‘. As an employee of the University of London she was involved in the development of an anti-fungal slow-release device for Candida-infected HIV/Aids patients. This device was approved by the Medical Research Council in Britain. She was also involved in the development of a polymer composite for dental material.
At the CSIR she has worked on polymer encapsulation of living things, e.g. bacteria, cells, vitamins and vaccines using supercritical carbon dioxide. This research is now going through pre-clinical trials.
Swai received several awards for outstanding achievement and is an accomplished speaker. Swai's presentations have been included in numerous conference proceedings and she has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals in his field. Listings of papers, presentations, book chapters and conference proceedings as well as journal listings are available, while full text versions of recent CSIR research, which she authored, are available through the CSIR's research database. She contributes to human capital development in her field through supervising MSc and PhD students.
Organisational details
CSIR Materials Science and Manufacturing
Polymers & Bioceramics
P.O. Box 395
Pretoria 0001
South Africa
Email: Hswai@csir.co.za
Publications
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