Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

International Award for UFS Department of Nuclear Medicine

07 July 2023 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied

A research paper by a Senior Lecturer and Medical Specialist in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University of the Free State (UFS) has won the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) International Best Abstract Award for South Africa.

The abstract, by Dr Osayande Evbuomwan, was about evaluating the efficacy of a new nuclear medicine radiopharmaceutical in the identification of active disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It was selected for this award by a special committee at the recently concluded SNMMI 2023 Annual Meeting, which took place between 24 and 27 June in Chicago, USA.

Dr Evbuomwan received the award at the Annual Meeting on 26 June.

“It is a good feeling, and I am proud of the UFS Department of Nuclear Medicine for pulling this off. It is another example that hard work pays,” he says.

Comparing this radiopharmaceutical to ultrasound

Dr Evbuomwan says the research that generated the award-winning abstract was aimed at finding out if the new nuclear medicine radiopharmaceutical for the identification of active disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis can also offer prognostic information. The study concluded that this particular radiopharmaceutical (Tc – 99m glucosamine) is highly sensitive in identifying synovitis (inflammation of the membrane that protects joints), and is capable of offering prognostic information in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

This is the first prospective study to assess the prognostic value of this radiopharmaceutical in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Dr Evbuomwan says. He is currently working on comparisons of this radiopharmaceutical to ultrasound and clinical evaluation in the identification of active disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. He says there is also ongoing collaboration with the Rheumatology Division of the Internal Medicine Department, which has played a huge role in making this project fruitful.

“This award is an opportunity to put the department and university on the map, with world stage recognition. We believe that as the Nuclear Medicine Department continues to grow in human resources and equipment, the research output will also increase.”

Dr Gerrit Engelbrecht, Clinical Head of the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the UFS, says the whole department is very proud of Dr Evbuomwan’s accomplishments. “What makes his award even more remarkable is that he outperformed candidates from much larger, highly funded institutions,” he says.

This department announced last year the successful treatment outcome of a patient with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (MCRPC) – an advanced stage of prostate cancer – by using Lutetium 177 PSMA (Lu-177 PSMA) therapy. This was initially a case of advanced stage prostate cancer, which had failed first-line chemotherapy, leaving little or no other treatment options.

News Archive

Time is running out for applications for admission at the UFS

2009-11-25

The University of the Free State (UFS) calls on all South African prospective students wishing to study at the UFS in 2010 to submit their applications for admission by no later than 30 November 2009.

The last date for all international students’ applications for 2010 admission was 30 September 2009. All applications received from South African students after the closing date will be considered as late applications and will be handled in a separate process.

Late applications from prospective students will be accepted until 15 January 2010 to accommodate Grade 12 learners who will only receive their results on 7 January 2010.

All South African prospective students who want to apply must pay a non-refundable fee of R150. The duly completed and signed application form must be accompanied by a certified copy of the prospective student’s identity document or passport and a proof of payment of the application fee. The application form of a minor must be signed by his/her parent or guardian. The field of study should be clearly indicated.

The registration of first-time entering first-year students on the Main Campus will be from 19-23 January 2010 in the Callie Human Centre according to a programme.
The registration of senior undergraduate students (that is all students registered at the UFS up until 2009) and postgraduate students will take place from 5-16 January 2010 on a self-service system on the university’s website at www.ufs.ac.za .

Academic advice for all students during the registration period will be available in the Callie Human Centre and the Multi-Purposes Hall, as well as from the different faculties.
First-time entering first-year students on the Main Campus will be welcomed by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof. Jonathan Jansen, on Friday, 8 January and Saturday, 9 January 2010, at 09:00 in the Callie Human Centre.

At the Qwaqwa Campus late applications will be accepted until 3 February 2010.

The registration of first-time entering first-year and senior students at this campus will be from 18-22 January 2010 in the Multi-Purpose Hall, also according to a programme. First-time entering first-year students will be welcomed on 11 January 2010.

Lectures for all students will commence on 25 January 2010 on both campuses.

Media release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za
24 November 2009

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept