Dr Charlotte Maserumule : Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy towards Women’s Development
As the country celebrates Women's Month, the Department of Science and Innovation is proud to introduce the phenomenal women scientists and researchers who are finalists in its annual South African Women in Science Awards.
Meet Dr Charlotte Maserumule, a finalist in the Innovation Economy – Distinguished Young Woman Researchers category.
Dr Maserumule is a chief scientist in the Health Platform at Mintek and serves as the director of the Biolabels Unit at the DSI/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre (NIC). She leads Mintek's research and development efforts in biomarker discovery and rapid diagnostic test development (RDT) for priority diseases, as well as their manufacturing. Dr Maserumule has expertise in molecular immunity, molecular medicine, and biotechnology, with a focus on aptamer technology and nanobiotechnology. She holds a PhD in medicine from the University of Cambridge and pursued postdoctoral studies there before serving as principal scientist at Hutano Diagnostics.
Dr Maserumule has produced several peer-reviewed publications, patents, and diagnostic device prototypes and products. In April 2024, she and her team submitted an HIV RDT for World Health Organization prequalification. She is a frequent speaker at international forums on health products innovation and manufacturing in Africa and was recently invited to be part of the Global Health Labs Innovation Speakers series.
As second-in-command at the Mintek Health Platform, Dr Maserumule leads over 20 individuals, including principal/senior scientists, scientists, postdoctoral students, and undergraduate students. She oversees the funding, research activities, and reporting for the NIC Biolabels Unit, which includes research and development at Mintek and the University of the Western Cape. She has successfully mentored one postdoctoral fellow and is currently supervising one PhD candidate and one master's student.
Dr Maserumule has received several honours, including the Innovation hub Biotech Fundi Young Researcher Award in 2018, the Master's Fellowship Award at the 2013 South African Women in Science Awards, the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust PhD Scholarship, and accolades in national and international entrepreneurship competitions. In 2022 she was recognised by AfricaBio as a Rising Star in Health Biotech in Africa.
As a research scientist and innovator in molecular immunity, and medicine and biotechnology, Dr Maserumule serves on the Mintek Health Steering Committee and is part of the faculty for AfricaBio's BIO Africa Student Academy and Biotech Start-up Programmes.
