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NRF B3 rating acknowledges Prof Martin Nyaga’s high-quality research

13 September 2024 | Story André Damons | Photo André Damons

Prof Martin Nyaga – Associate Professor and Head of the University of the Free State (UFS) Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Unit – recently obtained an NRF B3 rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF), which is not only testament to his research prowess, but also demonstrates his unwavering commitment to academic excellence.

Prof Nyaga made a significant improvement from his previous NRF Y2 rating (categorised as a promising young researcher). His new B3 rating is assigned to a researcher who enjoys considerable international recognition by their peers for the high quality and impact of their recent research output.

“It is an incredibly thrilling experience to attain the esteemed NRF rating in the B category. Accomplishing the NRF B3 rating satiates an enormous sense of being appreciated and acknowledged individually and as an academic at the UFS. This acknowledgement emphasises the high quality of the research that I do and provides immense motivation to continue mentoring upcoming and emerging researchers in the field of molecular virology,” says Prof Nyaga.

Research output

According to him, this recognition serves as motivation to become an NRF A-rated researcher in the next rating cycle. “I am optimistic that I can meet the minimum threshold to be among the highly esteemed NRF A-rated researchers who are internationally recognised as leading scholars in their field of specialisation for their high-quality research and wide impact.”

Prof Nyaga, who is affiliated to the Division of Virology within the Faculty of Health Sciences, has an exponential trajectory in research output dissemination in reputable international conference presentations and scientific/medical journals such as Nature, Nature Medicine, Nature Communications, and Science, among other quantile 1 journals, with significant citations (3 337 times, h-index 20 and i-10 index 32). He has demonstrated unwavering commitment to academic excellence and has made significant strides within his niche research area of whole genome sequencing and metagenomics of enteric and respiratory viruses. He has not only successfully collaborated with eminent researchers both within and outside the university and globally, but his interdisciplinary research approach has led to groundbreaking studies that address complex issues from multiple perspectives.

Prof Nyaga has applied his expertise to address real-world challenges. One notable example is his involvement in community-based projects and public outreach and education. He has organised and participated in various workshops, seminars, and public lectures aimed at disseminating knowledge and raising awareness about important issues in the field of enteric and respiratory pathogen genomics. His efforts have strengthened the ties between the UFS and the broader community, enhancing the impact and visibility of the institution.

Support by the UFS

“Achieving this rating not only required self-driven research-enhancement discipline, networking, and implementation of novel concepts to enhance my NRF research rating from Y to B, but I also received substantial support from my affiliate institution, especially the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Directorate of Research and Development (DRD).”

“The UFS has put in place amazing policies and career development strategies to ensure that focused Y-rated researchers have the opportunity to become established researchers within one rating cycle of five years – a reality that I immensely thank God for enabling me to attain,” says Prof Nyaga.

These programmes include, among others, the Transforming the Professoriate Mentoring Programme, where he was part of the first cohort of members recruited in 2019.

Prof Nyaga, who has supervised/co-supervised seven PhDs and more than 20 master’s and honours postgraduates to graduation, also serves in various leadership roles, including Chairman for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC) Pathogen Genomics Initiative (PGI), Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPD) Focus Group (FG), and Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for VPD Surveillance and Pathogen Genomics. His ability to instigate and inspire as the team lead and his strategic vision for the UFS-NGS Unit are key factors in the successful execution of numerous initiatives. He is a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and his efforts have created a more inclusive and welcoming environment for his peers and students from diverse backgrounds.

Future

He plans to undertake future research that has an impact on the national health systems and to establish himself as an international leader in his niche research area. “I hope to create a vibrant association between research and national development goals and to have a transformative effect on my area of research in a way that can influence policy by addressing national and international challenges within global knowledge innovation,” says Prof Nyaga.

His continuing research involves the use of next generation sequencing to decipher the viral component of the respiratory and enteric milieu and accentuate the critical need to define the complete spectrum of disease-causing viruses. Several previously known and unknown viruses have been detected, including viruses with previously unrecognised tropism.

Additionally, whole genome sequencing of important respiratory viruses, such as the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (as part of the respiratory niche) and rotavirus (as part of the enteric niche), is being performed simultaneously for different countries, including South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, Kenya, Cameroon, Mozambique, and Malawi, to enhance the genomic surveillance of specific respiratory and enteric viruses of interest.

The overall goal is to identify novel pathogens responsible for human viral diseases and to create a flexible and highly effective system for the rapid identification and analysis of emerging or re-emerging agents. This will serve four purposes: (i) improve preparedness for outbreaks, (ii) characterise new viruses, (iii) identify additional new pathogenic viruses, and (iv) provide new understanding of the human respiratory and enteric virome.

“Viruses that appear to be relevant will be prioritised to elucidate specific targets for rapid diagnostics using panels developed from the antigenic sites of the generated genomes, and immune mechanisms used to develop antiviral interventions such as drugs and vaccines,” explains Prof Nyaga.

Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, commented: “The rating bears testimony to the incredibly important and impactful work that Prof Nyaga is undertaking. The solid international footprint of his publications and their citations also confirm the relevance and currency of his cutting-edge work. The UFS is extremely proud of this signal achievement, and we wish him well with his work in the years ahead.”

News Archive

Workplace discrimination and unfair practices explored in new book

2017-09-13

Dr Denine Smit
Photo: Supplied

Two law scholars, Dr Denine Smit and Dr Damian Viviers, from the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently launched a book titled Vulnerable Employees, which was inspired by their interest in researching, creating awareness and providing a legal exposition in relation to employees who are vulnerable and experience prejudice and dignity violations in the workplace. These include workplace bullying, appearance-based discrimination, those who are gender fluid or have mental-health conditions.
“Dr Viviers, who is also a former student of mine, and I, have been working together for years and share a common understanding in relation to our various topics of interest. We often share the same train of thought. This is how we came to work together to produce this book,” said Dr Smit.

Research focused on employee challenges in the workplace
The book expands on the field of knowledge regarding certain categories of employees who, as a consequence of various mutable, immutable and semi-immutable characteristics, as well as behavioural experiences, are rendered vulnerable in their employment relationships. The book draws on various social, psychological and other empirical considerations, as well as comparative legal research from foreign and international law, in order to expand on the legal position under the South African legal framework governing these conditions. While the book first and foremost constitutes a compendium of research to be used for this purpose, it also serves as a practical guide for all legal practitioners, human resources managers, other labour stakeholders and the judiciary.

Book draws strength in other academic fields
Vulnerable Employees was launched on 28 July 2017 at the UFS library, to an audience of academics and students, with a panel discussion made up of the authors and two other panellists. One of the panellists was Dr Katinka Botha, a leading psychiatrist in the Free State who has a wealth of experience in this field. “Her selection as a panellist was motivated by the various significant inter-disciplinary considerations and intersections between psychology, psychiatry and law, contained in the book,” said Dr Smit.
“Dr Botha’s expertise was invaluable in shedding light on mental-health considerations during the panel discussion.”
Mr Lesley Mokgoro, the other panellist, is a leading labour law practitioner, as well as director and head of the Dispute Resolution Practice Group at Phatshoane Henney Attorneys. “His years of experience working with all role players in the employment domain, as well as his extensive legal knowledge and expertise, made him uniquely qualified to serve on the panel and deliver an opinion of the practical and academic value of the book,” said Dr Smit.

Workplace policies key to securing employee rights
There are a number of growing trends in the workplace that could shape the practice of labour law or workplace policies. Dr Smit said the need for employers to regulate workplace culture, particularly in relation to bullying, harassment and unfair discrimination, in line with the South African legal framework, was a fundamental need in all workplaces. Effective workplace policies may be used to clearly outline the relevant “dos and don’ts” to employees, as well as the procedures and processes that may be followed in order to address such conduct. Workplace policies serve to advance legal certainty and efficiency, since the rights and obligations of all role players are clearly demarcated, or should be, in terms of a well-drafted and considered policy.
The book is one of several publications produced by Dr Smit in collaboration with Dr Viviers on the topic of workplace discrimination and the law. The two scholars are working on another book to be published at the end of 2017.

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