Monique Glenda Zaahl OMB (born 4 November 1975) is a South African geneticist. She was formerly a professor of genetics at Stellenbosch University, where she conducted influential research into iron overload. She is now the managing director of Gene Diagnostics, a private genetic testing company.
Monique Zaahl | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 November 1975 |
| Occupation | Managing director of Gene Diagnostics |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | Stellenbosch University |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | Human genetics |
| Institutions | Stellenbosch University |
| Main interests | Iron overload |
Education
editZaahl completed her undergraduate degree at Stellenbosch University, where she became interested in human genetics as a result of the influence of Professor Louise Warnich.[1] She obtained her PhD at Stellenboch in 2003; she received the 2001 Commonwealth Split-Site Scholarship to complete part of her doctoral research at Oxford University under the supervision of Kathryn Robson.[2]
Career
editIn 2004, she joined the Stellenbosch faculty as a lecturer.[2] She was promoted to senior lecturer in 2006, associate professor in 2010, and head of the Department of Genetics in 2011;[2] she was tenured as a full professor shortly afterwards.[3] Her research at Stellenbosch focused on iron-related causes of disease, particularly via investigation of the genetic mechanisms of iron metabolism and iron overload.[2]
In 2009, while still at Stellenbosch,[2] she founded Gene Diagnostics, a private genetic testing company. The Star said it was the first such company owned by a black woman.[1] She ultimately left academia to run the company full time. It received support from the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation's Black Umbrellas business incubation programme, and in 2021 it moved its headquarters from Somerset West to Woodstock, Cape Town.[4]
Honours and awards
editAt the 2006 National Women in Science Awards, Zaahl was named the Best Emerging Young Scientist.[5][2] In 2009, the National Science and Technology Forum awarded her the National Research Foundation-sponsored T. W. Kambule Award for young black researchers.[6] In April 2010, President Jacob Zuma admitted her to the Order of Mapungubwe, granting her the award in Bronze "For her outstanding contribution to the field of genetics and research into disorders resulting from iron overload."[7]
References
edit- ^ a b Sallam, Noor (29 August 2018). "First black woman with own DNA test lab reveals all". The Star. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Prof Monique Zaahl" (PDF). University of KwaZulu-Natal. 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ "Prof Monique Zaahl: Ons gene vertel veel meer" (PDF). Kampusnuus (in Afrikaans). 19 (10): 8. 10 October 2011.
- ^ "Black-owned genetic testing firm, Gene Diagnostics, nominated for the Black Umbrellas awards". Cape Argus. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ "Monique Zaahl". Presidency of the Republic of South Africa. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ "Genes that dislike iron". The Mail & Guardian. 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
- ^ "National orders awards, April 2010". Government of South Africa. Retrieved 26 June 2024.