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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

Guest lecture: Mr Pretorius, CEO of McCarthy Limited

2004-11-05

The challenges facing business leaders in a rapidly changing South Africa

“The world we used to know does not exist anymore. Leaders are continually dealing with crisis and opportunities, in a high-pressure environment,” said Mr Brand Pretorius, honorary professor from the University of the Free State , delivering his 13th guest lecture on the challenges facing business leaders in a rapidly changing South Africa .

Mr Pretorius, CEO of McCarthy Limited, identified certain trends which are responsible for changes to the South African business environment. He said the South African business environment is ever-changing, fast moving, complex and unpredictable. “As business people we have to deal with the impact,” he said.

“Years ago we were globally isolated. Now we live in a shrinking borderless world with crumbling trade barriers. Globilisation of our economy is accelerating. For South African business leaders this creates a sea of export opportunities,” he said.

Although there are ongoing demands for substantial profit growth from shareholders, the days of focussing only on their interests are gone, said Mr Pretorius. Stakeholder commitment now enjoys high priority and business leaders have to deal with the challenges accompanying black economic empowerment and employment equity.

Customers are also well-informed and demanding. Business leaders could easily loose the loyalty of their customers because of a hyper-competitive environment with an oversupply of goods and services.

Mr Pretorius stated that staff want to be involved and are looking for meaning in their workplace. Employers also have to deal with HIV/Aids in their workplaces. Trauma, absenteeism and financial implications could have a great effect on the viability of a business.

Against these changes Mr Pretorius pointed out the challenges business leaders are facing. In doing so a number of questions arise. The external business climate is characterised by turbulence and change. Internally there is a need for stability and meaning. How do we handle both challenges effectively?

Because of changes strategy decay is taking place and past strategies become irrelevant. Mr Pretorius said that business leaders need to modify their business models to prevent the downfall of their companies.

It is important for leaders to know what is happening in their world. “Continuous innovation is a critical success factor. The reality is that innovation is the only insurance against irrelevance,” he said.

Because of a changed environment leaders must perform and transform, simultaneously. How do we strike a balance between focused transformation and the achievement of world class performance, asked Mr Pretorius? “We need to bring about meaningful and sustainable empowerment, in order to create an inclusive economy and society. Leadership and management profiles should reflect the diversity of our teams, however at the same time every effort should be made to stop the brain drain and retain the expertise of experienced white managers.”

He also stated that leaders have an important role to play in terms of employment creation and corporate caring. “Sustainable stability and prosperity will not materialise without efforts in this regard.”

Mr Pretorius said that above challenges could be addressed by developing the ability to focus on creating a better future, rather than defending the past, a long-term vision, facing new realities, enhancing the value of brands and mobilising IT and the Internet to serve the business and customers better.

Retaining a positive vision of the future, embracing change and transformation, building your business according to the right principles and values and aspiring to be the best are some of the guidelines, according to Mr Brand, for future business success. He stated that creating a value advantage above one’s competitors, customer satisfaction and retention and inspirational leadership will add to the success of one’s business.

“We are indeed living in the era of the ultimate challenges, but also the ultimate opportunities. Let me clearly state that I have hope – in my view the tide has turned. Every day I experience small miracles inspired by ordinary people making an extraordinary difference,” said Mr Pretorius.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
5 November 2004

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