CSIR female researcher is one of few stem cell reprogramming experts in SA
Only a handful of people in South Africa have mastered Stem Cell reprogramming and Dimakatso Gumede (34) is one of them. As a CSIR candidate researcher of the bioengineering and integrated genomics research group, she works on creating disease models of the innate immune system to study unique African gene variants that lead to elite controllers that naturally control viral load levels without antiretroviral therapy.
CSIR career day opens learners’ eyes to new career paths
Hundreds of learners who attend the CSIR annual career day have described it as an eye opener in learning more about various careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
This year, the event was used to highlight the impact and effects of climate change in South Africa. Learners were exposed to various technologies developed by the CSIR to curb climate change. This is in line with the 2019 National Science Week (NSW) theme “Facing the harsh realities of climate change”.