Unravelling TB Immunopathogenesis using a human mycobacterial lung challenge model

Professor Keertan Dheda is currently Head of the Division of Pulmonology at the University of Cape Town, Director of the Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity at UCT, and Professor of Mycobacteriology and Global Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

He obtained his degrees from The University of the Witwatersrand and University College London (PhD in immunology).

His research work has focussed on the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of respiratory infections including TB.

He serves or has served on several international academic and advisory bodies including those of the WHO, NIH, Wellcome Trust, and the editorial boards of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Lancet Respiratory Medicine, and the British Medical Journal. He has published over 392 peer-reviewed manuscripts (H index of 104) and is a co-inventor on 8 patents related to diagnostics and vaccines.

His work has been acknowledged through a number of global and local awards including the International Union TB and Lung Disease award, European Union Scientific Leadership Award, the South African MRC Platinum Lifetime Award, the Academy of Science of South Africa Gold Medal, and the Oppenheimer Award.