BIOSKETCH
Georgia Schäfer obtained her PhD in molecular biology from Humboldt University Berlin, Germany, in 2003, followed by a post-doc at the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa.She is currently leading the research group “Virology-Emerging Viruses” at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Cape Town, South Africa. She is also an Honorary Professor in the Division of Medical Biochemistry and an Adjunct Member of the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM) in the Faculty of Health Sciences at UCT.Georgia’s research focusses on the infection mechanisms of Kaposi’s sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV), Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and Human papillomavirus (HPV)). These oncogenic viruses are particularly relevant in Sub-Saharan Africa and in the context of HIV co-infection where they cause substantial morbidity and mortality. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Georgia’s group has set up several SARS-CoV2 diagnostic and research assays to support various national and international research activities.Georgia has published > 60 articles in peer-reviewed journals in the field and is the recipient of various national and international research grants. She has graduated >30 Hons, MSc and PhDstudents over the last 15 years and is strongly involved in mentoring programmes and teaching the next generation of scientists in Africa.
TOPIC
The infection dynamics of gamma herpesviruses in South Africa
