Teaching and learning activities 2024

Staff and academic accomplishments and academic activities

• Dr PC de Wet received her 25-year long-service award on 24 October 2024.

• Dr P Maass was promoted from senior lecturer to associate professor and Dr B Abrahams was promoted to senior lecturer in 2024.

• Dr PC de Wet presented at the Learning and Teaching Excellence Awards. She was appointed by the Centre for Graduate Support as a Research Writing consultant. She was invited as a panel member (Division of Health Sciences Education) to contribute to discussions with newly appointed academic staff. She participated in weekly academic meetings of the Human Molecular Biology unit. She was invited to engage with first-year Nursing students regarding health risks associated with energy drinks, and to collaborate with a dietitian to engage with high schools in Bloemfontein regarding discontinuing the sale of energy drinks in school tuck shops.

• Dr H de Villiers acted as a panel member for the HPCSA accreditation of the MB ChB programme at the University of Limpopo (4-8 March 2024). She also formed part of the panel for the Council on Higher Education programme accreditations at the following institutions: Henrietta Stockdale Nursing College (19 March 2024); University of Venda (27 March 2024); Striving Minds Nursing Academy (19 September 2024); KZN College of Emergency Care (18 October 2024); and the University of Fort Hare (18 November 2024).

• Dr M Ferreira completed the Health Professions Education research module course (HPER7905) in November 2024. Dr Ferreira is participating in the mentoring programme led by Dr Henriëtte van den Berg for entry into the Women’s Academic Advancement Programme. She has presented practical training to final-year Dietetics students and acted as an examiner during the OSPE for final-year Nutrition (TNUT4800) students. Dr Ferreira presented a lecture on the physiology of ageing to third-year Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy students (PTCS3704/OTCS3704).

• Dr A Grobler successfully completed the Curriculum Renewal Programme (CRP) presented by the Centre for Teaching and Learning, UFS.

• A Kalicharan was invited as a guest presenter for the Faculty Staff Development Assessment Colloquium in the Division of Health Sciences Education on 21 May 2024; the title of the presentation is ‘Integrated assessments.’ She was a session chair at the ASSA World Anatomy Day 2024, held on 18 October. She acted as an internal moderator for the HPEA5805 and HPEA7905 modules in the Division of Health Sciences Education.

• Dr A Mostert received funding from the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority to complete the short-learning programme in ‘Human-Centric Digital Transformation’ at the North-West University Business School. She acted as external moderator and examiner of undergraduate modules for the Free State School of Nursing and Paray School of Nursing (Lesotho). She also acted as an internal moderator for the MIMA2613 module and as an examiner for the MCLI Clinical Skills module. She acted as an external examiner of the HPEA7905, HPEA5905, HPES5905, and HPES7905 (Division of Health Sciences Education) modules. She was Chair of the Internal Evaluation Committee (Education) and acted as adjudicator at the Faculty of Health Sciences Research Forum (22-23 August 2024) in the education division. Prof Maass served as subject convenor and judge for the Biomedical Sciences category at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists: Free State Regional Competition, 1-2 August 2024. She completed her term in the Emerging Scholar Acceleration Programme (ESAP) and was selected for the Future Professoriate Mentoring Programme for a term of two years.

• S Roux and Dr A Mostert acted as staff well-being ambassadors 2023-2024 (Division of Occupational Development and Employee Well-being, UFS).

• Dr S van Niekerk, S Singh, GJ van Zyl, and Dr N Moopela completed the Curriculum Renewal programme presented by the Centre for Teaching and Learning, UFS.

• Dr S van Niekerk presented at the DHSE faculty development on Feedback Fruits and completed the HPES7905 in November 2024. Dr Van Niekerk, Dr A Grobler, and S van Zyl acted as examiners for the Department of Family Medicine MFAM/CIMA on 12 November 2024.

• Dr S van Zyl attended the UFS Senate conference (Making Change through Engaged Scholarship) held from 11 to 12 March 2024. She was a guest presenter at the DHSE assessment colloquium on 21 May 2024, focusing on the themes of constructive alignment, integrated assessments, and moderation of assessments, particularly in the context of inter-departmental co-teaching. Dr Van Zyl emphasised the need for collaboration between departments to achieve aligned learning outcomes, integrating diverse expertise and perspectives. She mentioned that challenges can be overcome through structured planning and regular meetings. Dr Van Zyl formed part of the HPCSA accreditation team during the accreditation of the MB ChB programme of Stellenbosch University from 10 to 14 June 2024. She participated in a workshop-to-room data sheet meeting for the NWU School of Medicine on 4 and 5 November 2024.

Degrees conferred during 2024

Two honours students in Physiology, A Louw and T Motlhabane, graduated in April 2024. M Moremane – Master of Medical Science (with specialisation in Physiology) – graduated with a distinction in April 2024.

N Ngesi, Master of Medical Science (with specialisation in Pharmacology), graduated in April 2024 (co-supervisor Dr B Abrahams), and O Ngalonkulu, Master of Medical Science (with specialisation in Pharmacology), graduated in December 2024 (co-supervisor Dr B Abrahams). P Motloung, Master of Health Sciences in Biomedical Technology, graduated in June 2024 (CUT) (co-supervisor Dr B Abrahams).

Malebogo M. Moremane: Title of study: Investigating the potential antiproliferative effect of Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Main supervisor Dr C Tiloke, co-supervisor: Dr B Abrahams.

Postgraduate student teaching and learning activities in the department: 2024
BMedSc Honours (Anatomy) projects in 2024:

Eybers, Juané. BMedSc Honours (Anatomy and Cell Morphology). University of the Free State. Title: Distribution of low velocity trauma to the skull in a Free State skeletal sample. Supervisor: Prof Maass, co-supervisor: Ms Masiu.

Booi, Mbalenhle. BMedSc Honours (Anatomy and Cell Morphology). University of the Free State. Title: Evaluating metric sex estimation accuracy using the lumbar vertebrae in a Free State skeletal sample. Supervisor: Prof Maass, co-supervisor: Ms Masiu.

MMedSc (Anatomy) student research studies in 2024:

Van der Merwe, Daniëlle. MMedSc (Anatomy and Cell Morphology). Title: Profiling Baseline Data for Health and Physiological Stress in a Free State Skeletal Population. Supervisor: Dr P Maass; co-supervisor: S Govender.

Nkoi, Mojalefa. MMedSc (Anatomy and Cell Morphology). Title: An Anatomical Description of the Coeliac Trunk in a Free State Cadaveric Sample. Supervisor: S Govender; co-supervisors: Dr H Potgieter, Dr P Maass. Nkoi completed his evaluation for his master's study in 2023.

Du Preez, Madré. MMedSc (Forensic Science Interdisciplinary). Title: Estimation of Living Stature from Direct and Photographic Measurements of the Lower Limb in a Young South African Sample. (Supervisor: Dr P Maass; co -co-supervisor: Dr S Brink (Department of Genetics)).

BMedSc Honours (Physiology) student research projects in 2024:

• Basetsana Sebogodi (Protocol supervisor: Dr Ntsapi, Dr M Ferreira). Title: Evaluating the neuroprotective potential of Hericium erinaceus in an in vitro model of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Kara Mostert (Protocol supervisor: Dr Ntsapi). Title: Investigating the neuroprotective effects of Reishi mushroom in an amyloid-precursor protein overexpressing cell-based model of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Marlé Viljoen (Protocol supervisor: Dr Ntsapi, Dr M Fereirra). Title: Investigating the neuroprotective potential of Hericium erinaceus against oxidative stress in a cell-based model of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Namatshego Moselakgomo (Literature review and protocol supervisor: Dr Ntsapi). Title: Investigating the therapeutic potential of Psilocybin mushrooms in alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction in an in vitro model of Alzheimer’s disease.

MMedSc (Physiology) student research studies in 2024:

• MMedSc (Physiology) candidate R Thubisi
  

  Supervisors (UFS): Dr C Ntsapi, Dr C Tiloke, and Z Mvelase

• PhD (Medical Physiology) candidate S Vazi

  Supervisors: Dr B Abrahams (UFS), Dr C Ntsapi (UFS), and Prof C Gouws (NW)

• PhD (Medical Physiology) candidate T Lehlaleroa

Supervisors: Dr C Ntsapi (UFS), Prof SS Mashele (CUT), Dr CI Chukwuma (CUT), and Prof MM Christel (Denmark).

Undergraduate student teaching and learning activities in the department: 2024

Prof Maass presented a forensic archaeology excavation exercise for the third-year BSc Biological Anthropology class. R Masiu participated in the excavation activity for the ANBA3716 students.

Photos: Annual BSc Forensic Archaeology excavation exercise.

Photos: Annual BSc ‘Introduction to Osteology’ and ‘Forensic Archaeology Theory and Practice’ workshops for second-year Forensic Sciences students from the departments of Forensic Genetics and Basic Medical Sciences, University of the Free State.

Dr Van Zyl presented the Anatomy Prize (awarded to the best second-year MB ChB student in Anatomy – MANA2618) to Riandré Nel and the Physiology Prize (awarded to the best second-year MB ChB student in Biochemistry – MMOL2618) to Ronelle Roux at the FoHS prize-giving function on 17 April 2024.

Mathemba Khuzwayo received the floating trophy for the best NAS Physiology third-year student

from Dr PC de Wet.

Postgraduate student teaching and learning activities in the department: 2024

BMedSc Honours (Anatomy) projects in 2024:

2024 BMedSc Honours (Physiology) students after their final protocol presentations: From the left: Marlé Viljoen, Kara Mostert, Basetsana Sebogodi, Ntokozo Mashinini, Inam Ngoma, and Namatshego Moselakgomo.

Teaching and learning activities 2023

Staff and academic accomplishments and academic activities

Dr Sanet van Zyl, Head of the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, was honoured at the 2023 University of the Free State (UFS) Recognition of Service Awards in celebration of her 25 years of service at the university.

Dr Petra Maass and Dr Claudia Ntsapi participated in the Emerging Scholar Accelerator Programme in 2023. Dr Charlette Tiloke participated in the Engaged Scholarship Professional Development Programme (Community Engagement).

Dr Arnell Mostert and Sue Roux have been selected as staff well-being ambassadors for the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Dr Mostert was elected to serve on the SAAHE national council (Portfolio: Secretariat). She presented research results at the SAAHE Conference at the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) from 19 to 21 June 2023. She also acted as session chair and adjudicator for poster presentations at the conference.

As a candidate for the Vice-Chancellor's Awards in 2023, Dr R Vorster-De Wet gave an oral presentation, titled Assessment: teaching journey. She was a featured speaker at the International Conference on the Future of Teaching and Education (ICFTE) from 16 to 18 June 2023 in Austria and online. She presented research results at the 10^th South African Education Research Association (SAERA) Conference, hosted by Rhodes University in East London from 31 October to 3 November 2023, and acted as an external assessor for the Health Professions Education PGDip (postgraduate diploma). Dr A Mostert acted as external moderator and examiner of several undergraduate modules for the Free State School of Nursing (BNS215 and BNS225), the Paray School of Nursing (ANP216 and ANP226) in Lesotho, and the Henrietta Stockdale Nursing College. She also acted as an external examiner for the modules HPEA7905, HPEA5905, HPES5905, and HPES7905 (Division of Health Sciences Education). Dr P Maass served as an external examiner for a Master of Science in Anatomy dissertation, University of Pretoria, and for the BSc (Hons) degree in Human Biology, University of the Witwatersrand.

R Masiu completed the Engaged Leadership Programme and the Professional Development Programme in 2023.

Dr S van Zyl served on the evaluation committees for a PhD student in Dietetics, three PhD students in Health Professions Education, and one master's student in Anatomy and Cell Morphology. Dr Ntsapi served as the evaluation committee chairperson for one master's student in Virology and one PhD student in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Dr Mostert acted as an evaluation committee member for the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and the Division of Health Sciences Education. Dr Tiloke acted as external examiner for two master's dissertations from the Department of Physiology and the Department of Chemical Pathology at the University of Pretoria. Dr C Ntsapi, R Masiu, Dr S van Niekerk, and Dr C Vorster completed the Professional Development Programme presented by the Centre for Graduate Support in 2023. Dr A Grobler and Dr S van Niekerk attended the Train-the-Trainer Simulation workshops presented by the Division of Health Sciences Education: Faculty Development in 2023. Dr C Vorster completed the Curriculum Renewal Programme (CRP) presented by the Centre for Teaching and Learning, UFS.

Degrees conferred during 2023

The following students obtained their BMedSc Honours degrees during the April 2023 graduation ceremonies:

Abrahams, Lauren. BMedSc Honours (Anatomy and Cell Morphology). University of the Free State. Investigating vertebral column degenerative disease distribution in a Free State sample. Supervisor: Dr P Maass, co-supervisor: R Masiu.

Le Grange, Louis. BMedSc Honours (Anatomy and Cell Morphology). University of the Free State. The distribution of craniofacial blunt force trauma in a Free State skeletal sample. Supervisor: Dr P Maass, co-supervisor: R Masiu.

Hlunza, Ukho. BMedSc Honours (Physiology). University of the Free State. A comparison of body mass index and waist to height ratio to efficiently measure underweight in African females. Supervisor: M Muller; co-supervisor: Dr R de Wet.

Keetse, Gaopalelwe. BMedSc Honours (Physiology). University of the Free State. An investigation into the mechanisms leading to the development of type II diabetes mellitus in adults between 19 and 59 years old in the Universitas distinct in the Free State province. Supervisor: Dr C Tiloke, co-supervisor: Dr R de Wet.

Venter, Maruschke. BMedSc Honours (Physiology). University of the Free State. An investigation of the influence of macronutrient intake on serotonin levels and its association with sleep quality and quantity. Supervisor: Dr M Ferreira, co-supervisor: Dr R de Wet.

S Vazi, M Saki, and MA Bopape obtained MMedSc (Physiology) degrees at the graduation on 8 December 2023. MMedSc student M Moremane submitted her MMedSc dissertation for examination in November 2023 and will receive her degree in April 2024.

Songezo Vazi: An investigation into the inflammatory properties of Tenofovir in HepG₂ human liver cells. Supervisor: Dr C Tiloke, co-supervisors: Dr S van Zyl, Dr R de Wet.

Mbasakazi Saki: The hepatoprotective effects of Moringa oleifera against antiretroviral induced cytotoxicity in HepG₂ cells. Main supervisor: Dr C Tiloke, co-supervisors: Dr Ntsapi, Dr H de Villiers.

Matlola A Bopape: Moringa oleifera on chaperone-mediated autophagy in human HepG₂ liver cancer cells. Supervisor: Dr C Ntsapi, co-supervisor Dr C Tiloke.  

Mr Bopape participated in the Faculty of Health Science's 3-Minute Thesis Competition on 23 September 2023.

Malebogo M Moremane: Investigating the potential antiproliferative effect of Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Main supervisor: Dr C Tiloke, co-supervisor: Dr B Abrahams.

The Anatomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA) was privileged to host the 28th symposium of the International Symposia of Morphological Sciences (ISMS) from 5 to 8 August 2023 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. The four-day meeting focused on ‘Excellence in research and education’.

The following staff members presented research results at the ASSA conference:

Title: Morphology and branching pattern of the internal iliac artery in a Free State male cadaveric sample. Presenter: Nkoi, MJ (paper); Authors: Nkoi, MJ, Maass, P and Govender, S.

Title: A profile of skeletal lesions that are associated with tuberculosis in South Africa. Presenter: Masiu, R (paper).
Dr De Wet arranged an academic writing retreat from 17 to 19 May 2023 for staff and postgraduate students in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences who are planning/compiling a protocol/article/thesis.

Undergraduate student academic activities in the department:

The Forensic Anthropology team hosted the annual osteology and forensic archaeology workshops for second-year students in the BSc Forensic Sciences programme on 14 and 21 April, under the guidance of Dr P Maass, staff members Dr H Potgieter, R Masiu, E Anirudh, M Nkoi, and master's student D van der Merwe.

The following workshops were presented in the department:

An Introduction to Human Osteology and Forensic Anthropology workshop was presented to second-year Forensic Sciences students in the departments of Forensic Genetics and Basic Medical Sciences, University of the Free State. 14 April 2023. Staff members involved were Dr P Maass, Dr H Potgieter, R Masiu, E Anirudh, M Nkoi, and D van der Merwe (Anatomy master’s student).

A Forensic Osteoarchaeology and Excavation workshop – theory and practice – was presented to second-year Forensic Sciences students in the departments of Forensic Genetics and Basic Medical Sciences, UFS, on 21 April 2023. Staff members involved were Dr P Maass, Dr H Potgieter, M Nkoi, and D van der Merwe (Anatomy master's student).

An Introduction to Identification and Trauma/Pathology Analysis of Skeletal Remains workshop was presented to Free State Forensic Pathology Services on 10 June 2023. Staff members involved were Dr P Maass, R Masiu, E Anirudh, M Nkoi, and D van der Merwe (Anatomy master's student).

Training sessions in the department for postgraduate students and staff (Physiology)

Dr B Abrahams convened the CelVivo™ Masterclass workshop for staff and postgraduate MMedSc students, presented in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences from 6 to 9 June 2023. The training workshop illustrated the use of the CelVivo 3D cell culture technology to generate in vitro models that closely resemble in vivo conditions.  

                                      

Photo: Third-year BSc Anatomy students during an articulation practical session presented in the Anatomy workshop under the guidance of Dr Henk Potgieter and Sandile Notuku.

Attendees of the 28^th Symposium of Morphological Sciences meeting, Cape Town 2023. Photo courtesy of Marius Loots.

Winners: 54^th Faculty Forum, University of the Free State, 24-25 August 2023

Dr P Maass won the Best Laboratory Paper presentation in the Senior category at the 2023 Faculty Forum – title: Skeletal profiling: introducing the Free State collection for anthropological research.

The MSSM student research project, Burnout and mindful self-care in undergraduate nursing students at the University of the Free State – A Els, M Grové, C Kruger, J le Roux, J Steyl, E van der Spuy, N van Tonder, under the supervision of Dr A Mostert, was awarded first place for the School of Clinical Medicine and second place overall at the FoHS Student Forum in August 2023.

Photo: Dr P Maass won the prize for the best laboratory paper in the senior category at the Faculty Forum 2023.

Photo: Presenters from the Department of Basic Medical Sciences who presented at the Annual Faculty of Health Sciences Research Forum – Dr Ntsapi, Masiu, Anirudh, Dr Maass.

Photo: Dr Arnelle Mostert and the MSSM team, runners-up at the Student Faculty Forum 2023.

Photo: Attendees at the practical session of the ‘Introduction to identification and trauma/pathology analysis of skeletal remains’ workshop, hosted by the Department of Basic Medical Sciences under the guidance of Dr P Maass and R Masiu.

Photo: Third-year BSc Anatomy students during an articulation practical session presented in the Anatomy workshop under the guidance of Dr Henk Potgieter and Sandile Notuku.

Photo: Staff members and postgraduate MMedSc students attended a training workshop presented by Separations in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences Molecular Analytics Laboratory from 6 to 9 June 2022

Teaching and learning activities staff 2022

Dr A Mostert was elected as a member of the SAAHE Council and Dr Beynon Abrahams was elected as vice chairperson of the Society of Advance Cell Culture Models of Africa (SACCMA). Dr H de Villiers formed part of the CHE accreditation panel for St. Mary’s Nursing College on Thursday 12 May 2022. Dr S van Zyl, Dr. Roné de Wet, and Dr. Henk Potgieter formed part of the School of Biomedical Sciences panel during the Health Sciences career week held on the 26th of January 2022.   

Dr. C Tiloke acted as external examiner for the Undergraduate third-year course (Applied Physiology:  Integrated and Pathophysiology) for the Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria. Dr A Mostert acted as external moderator and examiner of undergraduate modules: Free State School of Nursing: BNS215 & BNS225 and Paray School of Nursing (Lesotho): ANP216 & ANP226. She also acted as an external examiner of HPEA7905 oral presentations at the Division of Health Sciences Education on 11 and 13 October 2022. Dr P Maass acted as external moderator for the BSc (Hons) in Human Biology degree, and BSc (Hons) in Forensic  Sciences degree, University of the Witwatersrand. She also acted as an external moderator for the Forensic  Anthropology third-year module at the University of Pretoria. Dr. R de Wet acted as an external moderator for Henrietta Stockdale nursing college and external assessor for Health professions education PGDip (Post graduate diploma). Dr C Ntsapi has been appointed as an external thesis examiner for an MSc student at Stellenbosch University's Physiology Department. Dr C Ntsapi completed the Health Professions Education  moderation module course (HPEA7905) in November 2023.

Dr Arnelle Mostert was the recipient of the Vice Chancellors awarded for Excellence in Learning and Teaching 2021, held on the 13- 15 September 2021. Dr Mostert was one of three staff members of the UFS nominated for the Vice Chancellors award. She presented her work at the Annual UFS Learning and Teaching conference. The theme of her presentation was  “The bare bones of anatomy and physiology teaching: A mixed bag of opportunities”. Dr Mostert was also nominated by her students for the Khothatsa project (an initiative of the Centre of Teaching and Learning, UFS). Dr A Mostert was also elected to serve on the SAAHE central regional management committee (portfolio: administration).

Dr J Govender was nominated to serve on the SA national committee for the International Union of Physiological Sciences for a four-year term. As a member she will have access to dedicated ISC programmes, grants and other partnership opportunities, including: support South Africa’s agenda on physiology; support for hosting of events that discuss issues relevant to the ISC national agenda; support to promote engagements that increase participation of South African experts in regional and global networks aligned with ISC; position South African experts to participate in international committees and projects; support the dissemination of ISC aligned research outputs to the broader society (including thought pieces to media houses, audio and video communication etc). Dr Beynon Abrahams is a registered early career member of the European Association for Cancer Research.

Dr S van Zyl acted as HPCSA panel member for the evaluation of the Clinical Associate training programme (Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice), faculty of health sciences, University of Pretoria (27-30 September to 01 October 2021). Dr Helena de Villiers conducted nine evaluations for new curriculum applications from various South African Universities and private Higher Education Institutions for the Council on Higher Education (CHE), May 2021 – Nov 2021.  She also served as a panel member for a virtual site visit for an accreditation of programmes at  the  Foundation for Professional Development, 30 Nov 2021. Dr Charlette Tiloke acted as external assessor for an M.Med.Sc. thesis for the Department of Chemistry, University of Limpopo.

Dr Petra Maass was re-elected as a member of the council of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa. She also served as a peer-reviewer for the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, external examiner for a Master of Science in Medicine thesis from the University of the Witwatersrand, and external moderator for the BHSc (Hons) in Forensic Sciences degree, University of the Witwatersrand.

Dr Annelize Vorster acted as peer-reviewer for the American Journal of Health Promotion. Dr van Zyl acted as peer-reviewer for the African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, American Journal of Health Promotion and BMJ Open Journal. Dr Charlette Tiloke and Miss Faith Moichela completed (with a distinction) the “I am” Employee Wellness short learning programme presented by the UFS. Mr K Guambe was appointed on the 1st of May 2021 as Anatomy lecturer in the department Basic Medical Sciences.

Graduation, promotions and awards 2022

Dr S van Zyl received her PhD degree and the following students received their bachelor’s honors degrees at the graduation ceremony that was held on the 22nd of April 2022: Masunyane KW (Anatomy), Nkoi MJ (Anatomy), Van der Merwe D (Anatomy, Cum Laude; Mwendauya A (Physiology), Thubisi R (Physiology), Van Onselen J (Physiology)

Miss Daniëlle van der Merwe was the recipient of the Dean’s medal awarded to the student who achieved the best results in respect of a bachelor’s honors degree in the Faculty of Health Sciences. She is currently enrolled as an MMedSci (Anatomy & Cell Morphology in the field of Forensic Anthropology) in the department of Basic Medical Sciences.

Workshop for second-year Forensic Sciences students

Dr. Petra Maass and her team presented the annual “Introduction to Osteology” and “Forensic Archaeology Theory and Practice” workshops using an “each one teaches one approach” where second-year students from the Forensic Sciences program had to teach their peers basic osteology, followed by excavation of a mystery skeletal case.

              

Photo: Dr. Petra Maass and her team presented the annual “Introduction to Osteology” and “Forensic Archaeology Theory and Practice” workshops for second-year Forensic Sciences students of the Departments of Forensic Genetics and Basic Medical Sciences, University of the Free State.

Postgraduate student activities in the department: 2022

B.Med.Sc. Honors (Physiology) projects:

Ukho Hlunza (Supervisor: Mr Muller) Title: A comparison of Body Mass Index and Waist to Height ratio to efficiently measure underweight in African females 

Gao Keetse (Supervisor: Initially dr Tiloke followed by Mr Muller) Title: An investigation into the mechanisms leading to the development of Type II Diabetes mellitus in adults between 19-59 years old in the Universitas distinct at the Free State province. 

Maruschke Venter  (Supervisor: Dr Ferreira) Title: An investigation of the influence of macronutrient intake on serotonin levels and its association with sleep quality and quantity.

B.Med.Sc. Honours (Anatomy & Cell Morphology) projects:

Lauren Abrahams (Supervisor: Dr P Maass) Title: Investigating Vertebral Column Degenerative Disease Distribution in a Free State Sample.

Louis Le Grange (Supervisor: Dr P Maass) Title: The Distribution of Craniofacial Blunt Force Trauma in a Free State Skeletal Sample.

The following MSc Physiology students will conclude postgraduate research studies in 2023:

• Mr S. Vazi (Title of study: An investigation into the inflammatory properties of Tenofovir in HepG₂ human liver cells).
• Ms M.Saki (Title of study: The hepatoprotective effects of Moringa oleifera against antiretroviral induced cytotoxicity in HepG₂ cells).
• Ms M.M. Moremane (Title of study: Investigating the potential antiproliferative effect of Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract in MCF-7 breast cancer cells).
• Mr M.A. Bopape (Title of study: Moringa oleifera on chaperone-mediated autophagy in human HepG₂ liver cancer cells). Mr Bopape, supervised by Dr Claudia Ntsapi and co-supervised by Dr Charlette Tiloke has successfully received an NRF Masters scholarship for his studies in 2022.

The following MSc Anatomy student will conclude postgraduate research studies in 2023:

• D van der Merwe (Title of study: Assessing Lifestyle and Stress in a Free State Skeletal Population)

Graduation, promotions and awards 2021

The following staff members graduated in 2021: Dr. Roné Vorster De Wet (Ph.D. degree in Health Professions Education), Dr. Beynon Abrahams (Ph.D. degree in Physiology), Dr. Tshegofatso Ramphaleng (Ph.D. degree in Anthropology), and Ms. Faith Moichela (MSc in Medical Sciences, Cum Laude).

The following postgraduate students graduated in 2021: Ms Amanda Small (MMedSc Anatomy and Cell morphology) and BMedSc Honors students: Naledi Ranyane (Physiology), Lisa Goya(Anatomy), Mandi van der Merwe (Anatomy and Cell Morphology), Marilize Botha (Anatomy and Cell Morphology). Ms van der Merwe was the recipient of the Dean’s Medal awarded for achieving the best results in respect of a Bachelor Honours degree in The Faculty of Health Sciences.

Miss Palesa Letsoalo received the award for the best third year undergraduate Physiology student in the Department Basic Medical Science in 2020 and Miss Sinead Suter will receive the award in 2021 at the NAS Faculty award ceremony in 2022.
                                                                           
                                                             

Miss Palesa Letsoalo received the award for the best third year undergraduate Physiology student in the Department Basic Medical Science from Dr Roné de Wet.

The department also welcomed a number of postgraduate (Anatomy and Physiology) Honors students in February 2021. The student’s names and titles of the proposed research projects as follows:

Anatomy honors projects:

Miss Kelebogile Masunyane: Assessing the accuracy of transition analysis for adult skeletal age estimation in the Free State.

Mr Mojalefa Nkoi: Morphology and branching of the internal iliac artery in a Free State male cadaveric sample.

Miss Danielle Van Der Merwe: Assessing craniofacial symmetry in a Free State sample.

Physiology honors projects:

Ms A Mwendauya: The potential development of cardiovascular disease due to cocaine abuse: a retrospective

Ms R Thubisi: The effect of chaperone-mediated autophagy on Sorafenib-treated human HepG2 cells.

Ms J Van Onselen: The role of cancer-associated adipocytes in breast cancer cell survival and metastasis

                                                                             

Dr Claudia Ntsapi and Physiology honours students during a skills development session in the Physiology laboratory.

Photo: Daniëlle van der Merwe with her degree in Bachelor of Medical Science Honours in Anatomy and Cell Morphology. Daniëlle was also the recipient of the Dean’s medal which she received for achieving the best results in respect of a Bachelor Honours Degree in the faculty.

Teaching and learning activities 2022

Photo: Second-year BSc physiology students (PHBG2626) during a blood glucose practical session (top left). First-year health and rehabilitation students during a small group discussion session in the Anatomy Museum (top right and bottom).

Photo: First-medical students during the White coat ceremony (left) on their way to the dissection hall for the first time (middle) and during a health promotion exhibition held on the 16^th of May 2022 (right) in the faculty foyer.

Photo: MBChB students in the Jan Toerien study centre and dissection hall during training activities.

Photo: Postgraduate MSc Physiology students during research activities in the cell culture laboratory

Teaching and learning activities

Mrs Amanda Nel  “captured” first year MBChB students during a blended learning session.  Some students attended the FtF session presented by Mrs Arishka Govender (Anatomy lecturer) while other students follow the session online via Blackboard collaborate.

Anatomy honours students (Kelebogile, Mojalefa and Danielle) in front of the dissection hall and during a skills development session in the Anatomy laboratory

Honours and MSc Physiology students hard at work in the tissue culture and physiology laboratories during skills development training sessions.

Screenshot of our staff's message to our students during Level 5 lockdown period.

Small group session in the Anatomy Museum for the Occupational therapy-, Physiotherapy- and Biokinetic students.

 
PHBG3726 creative assignment presentations (Students Dr. Rone De Wet)

High school learners attentively listening to descriptions of available Anatomy courses at the UFS

Postgraduate students, Amanda Smal and Luyanda Malangeni, at the 2019 UFS Open Day.

Dr Petra Maass ready to meet prospective students at the 2019 UFS Open Day

Sharing the dissection hall experience

On 15 May, second-year MBChB students who had completed their dissection module in the department took part in the Cadaver Case Study Presentations. In groups of six to eight students, each of the 27 dissection groups had to give an oral presentation to their peers, providing a description and researched background on an anatomical abnormality, variation or interesting pathology that they observed on the cadaver they had been dissecting over the past 10 months. Topics presented ranged from lymphomas to patent ductus arteriosus to accessory lobes of the liver, making the work of the adjudicators – Drs Henk Potgieter and Petra Maass and Mr Gerhard van Zyl – very difficult. In the end, the presentation on inguinal lymphadenopathy, which was presented like a live television news report, stole the show, and the group was named the clear winners of the day.

Students describing their dissection hall experiences in a video

In June, Drs Mada Ferreira and Petra Maass were responsible for the production of a short video based on interviews with second-year medical students. The video features several students describing their dissection hall experiences and providing future students with advice on how to approach the daunting task of full body dissection.


Second-year MBChB students shared their dissection hall experiences in a short video, describing the process and giving advice to future classe

New dissection hall facilities

The spacious dissection hall in the Department Basic Medical Sciences houses high-quality sound, computer equipment, a unique camera system that allows students to follow dissection demonstrations on ten screens in the hall, and a microscope for integrated teaching activities.



Second-year MBChB students during tutorial sessions (top) and observing normal and clinical pathologies under the microscope during dissection session (bottom)

Teaching activities 2018

On 10 May 2018, the students registered for the ANBA 3716 module visited the National Museum in Bloemfontein. The purpose of the excursion is to allow the students to be exposed to view specimens on human ancestors and how their features vary with human evolution. Dr Lloyd Rossouw, head of the department of Archaeology at the museum, gave a short lecture on the different pre-human specimens found in South Africa. Students were given the opportunity to analyse cranial casts of the Australopithecines. The visit paved the way for relations, future collaborative work and research opportunities between departments. Students will visit the Florisbad museum and research centre in 2019. The centre is a palaeontological and archaeological site where the skull of Homo helmei was discovered.

Dr AM Gerber, Mrs R Vorster-De Wet, Dr S van Zyl and Dr H de Villiers acted as supervisors for MMedSc and PhD students during 2018. Ms R Vorster-De Wet and Mr M Muller acted as supervisors for BMedSc Hons students in Physiology in 2018. Dr C Larson  received recognition at the Long-service awards (26 October 2018) as she will retire from service the 31^st of December 2018.

Prof A Crous and Ms R Vorster-De Wet acted as external moderators for the Henrietta Stockdale Nursing College, FS School of Nursing and Parray School of Nursing (Lesotho) during 2018.  Dr S van Zyl acts as external moderator for the Stellenbosch University.

Dr AM Gerber represented staff members on the Senate and served on the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. Dr Henk Potgieter represented the Faculty on the UFS Council and the management committee of UVPERSU. 

The following staff members represent the Department Basic Medical Sciences at the 2018 UFS Open day: Gerhard van Zyl; Roné Vorster-De Wet; Arishka Kalicharan; Sadhna Singh; Martin Muller; Tshegofatso Ramphaleng; Petra Maass and Ntsidi Moopela.

On 10 May 2018, the students registered for ANBA 3716 module and their lecturer Mrs Tshego Ramphaleng made a day visit to the National Museum in Bloemfontein. The purpose of the excursion is to allow the students to learn (expose them to more) about the evolution of humans, and view specimens on human ancestors and how their features vary with human evolution. Our guide was Dr Lloyd Rossouw, head of department of archaeology at the museum, who gave a short lecture on the different pre-human specimens found in South Africa. Students were given the opportunity to analyse cranial casts of the Australopithecines. The visit paved the way for relations, future collaborative work and research opportunities between departments. We look forward to visit sites where pre-human technology and skeletal remains were found such as Florisbad museum, a research centre, in the Free State. The centre is a palaeontological and archaeological site where the skull of Homo helmei was discovered.

Postgraduate supervisors 2017

Dr H Potgieter, Mr Van Zyl, Dr AM Gerber, Dr S van Zyl and Dr H de Villiers acted as supervisors for MMedSc and PhD students during 2017. Ms R Vorster and Mr M Muller acted as supervisors for BMedSc Hons students in Physiology in 2017.

Four students, Brooks D, Fouche T, Jamneck MF and Strydom C obtained their BMedScHons (Medical Physiology) degrees and two students, Mpolokeng KS and Henning WJ their MMedSc (Anatomy) degrees at the June graduation ceremony. Ms Mpolokeng presented her research results, The prevalence of anatomical variations in the intraorbital part of the ophthalmic artery and its branches in cadavers, at the UCT Faculty research day and also at the 45^th Annual Conference of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa 2017, Cape Town, South Africa (23-26 April 2017).

Visiting lecturer 2017

Dr Carlos Machado visited the department Basic Medical Sciences on the 20^th of April 2017. He presented lectures to second-year MBChB students and staff members in the department. He is currently an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Cardiology, University of Saint Augustine, Austin, USA.  Dr Machado has been a medical illustrator since 1994 for the companies that hold the rights of editing Dr Netter’s work. His illustrations can be seen in over 40 publications, among them the Clinical Symposia collection, the Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations, the highly acclaimed Interactive Atlas of Clinical Anatomy and in the last five  editions of the best-seller Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy, which has been published in 17 languages in over 70 countries.

Photos taken during the visit of Dr Machado