Field of research: Cancer Department: Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences Specialization: Molecular- and cellular cancer physiology Professor Joubert commenced research in molecular- and cellular cancer physiology at UP in 1998 when she was appointed as a senior technical assistant in the Department of Physiology after completing the PhD degree in Biochemistry (UP). Prof Joubert appreciates the opportunity to contribute to this field of cancer research and to strengthen both national- and international research collaborations with the University of Oxford (UK), University of Bath (UK), University of Florida (USA), Baylor College of Medicine (USA), CRI INSERM (France), Joseph Fourier University (France), SABANCI University (Turkey) and collaborations with industry. Her research focus is mainly on breast cancer that is one of the most common forms of the disease in women – the lifetime risk of South African women getting breast cancer is one in 27. Research specifically focuses on a) the in silico design of potential anticancer agents, b) the chemical synthesis thereof in liaison with a pharmaceutical company and c) evaluation of these agents for improvement of anticancer treatment. The prevalence of cancer is increasing worldwide. Globally, 14 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year, and approximately nine million lose their lives to cancer annually. According to the Cancer Association of South Africa, breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men are among the top five cancers prevalent in South Africa. However, according to the World Health Organization, between 30 and 50% of all cancer cases are preventable! Her group’s research findings contribute to the use of in silico-virtual screening (VS) methods to identify lead compounds that are likely to succeed in further downstream assays and screens including whole genome microarrays, as well as protein arrays in the search of potential anticancer agents. Making use of in silico-VS methods such as molecular docking, assists scientists in identifying novel compounds that significantly lowers the cost of drug development by negating the need to synthesize unnecessary compounds that could not be removed prior to screening. Professor Joubert is contributing to translational research in the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). She has recently commenced with a leukaemia research project including the role that platelets play in chronic myeloid leukaemia progression. The latter is a chronic leukaemia of the haematopoietic stem cells affecting mostly adults. Her fundamental cancer research links with clinical research further contributing to translational research with a specific benefit for South African and African populations with unique genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. Prof Joubert attributes inspiration in her research effort to her father. Sadly, he passed away shortly after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia in September 2020 and COVID-19. He taught her to always believe in herself and to do her part to improve the quality of life of the people whom she interacts with every day. He changed the lives of everyone around him and especially hers. Prof Joubert has two academic role models. Prof A Neitz who was the supervisor of her PhD degree in Biochemistry. Prof D van Papendorp, then Head of the Department of Physiology, believed in her from the first day when she was appointed as senior technical assistant in the Department of Physiology. Both inspired her and motivated her to go the extra mile in her career. Keeping in mind the life skills her father taught her Prof Joubert dreams of touching lives and that she will be regarded as a good mentor to students and colleagues. “I would like to be remembered to have contributed to someone’s life in a positive way - whether it is teaching our undergraduates and postgraduates or addressing the dream of contributing to good health and well-being of all people”. For relaxation she enjoys pilates and gardening.

Prof Korsten is currently the Co-Director within the Department of Science and Technology, Centre of Excellence Food Security. She is also responsible for the food safety and regulatory control programmes within the DST Centre of Excellence Food Security. She is a chief editor of Crop Protection and is chairing the International Society for Plant Pathology Task Force on Global Food Security.