Prof Francois van der Westhuizen, deputy dean for research and innovation of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University (NWU), has been awarded the prestigious Hofmeyr-Van Schaik Gold Medal by the South African Genetics Society (SAGS).

This is in recognition of his contributions over three decades to advancing research, diagnosis, and awareness of rare genetic diseases in South African populations.

The society presents this award biennially to one academic following a nomination and review process.

The presentation took place during a gala dinner at the Bio 2024 Congress, jointly hosted by the SAGS and the South African Society for Bioinformatics.

Prof Van der Westhuizen expressed his appreciation for this honour and extended his gratitude to the society for acknowledging the diligent efforts of his research team at the NWU, the Mitochondrial Research Group, as well as numerous national and international collaborators.

"It is truly gratifying to receive recognition for our work as a collective contribution to better understanding the genetics involved in rare and other diseases affected by energy metabolism dysfunction in our diverse and understudied African populations," he said.

About the South African Genetics Society (SAGS)

The South African Genetics Society serves as the official professional body for geneticists in South Africa. Their primary mission is to provide a collaborative platform for scholars, researchers, practitioners and stakeholders interested in genetics. They are dedicated to fostering discourse and promoting genetics as an academic discipline and research enterprise. Their commitment extends to advocating for the responsible application of genetic knowledge within civil society.

For more information about their activities, visit https://sagene.co.za/.

Prof Francois van der Westhuizen (right) receives the Hofmeyr-Van Schaik Gold Medal from Prof Clint Rhode, president of the South African Genetics Society