The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) at Stellenbosch University (SU) has a well-established research culture and undergraduate students are motivated to become involved with research projects.

According to prof Nico Gey van Pittius, the Vice Dean of Research, the FMHS actively promotes and develops undergraduate student research.  Students are integrated into the Faculty's research culture with the overall goal of enhancing undergraduate education and preparing them for academic and research careers, thereby increasing the medical research capacity in South Africa and the African continent.

The papers of two MB,ChB-alumni who made use of the opportunity to do a voluntary research project during their final year of studies in 2015 were accepted for publication in the African Journal of Urology in 2016.

Dr Nicolaas Gildenhuys' publication entitled "Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease, incidental finding with trauma: Case report and review of the literature" is available online at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S111057041600014X. He is currently doing his internship in Durban.

Dr Marguerite Barnard did a research project entitled "Patient knowledge of Urethral Stricture Disease in a State Sector South African Academic Hospital".

This led to an invitation by the international urology society, Société Internationale d'Urologie, to be a guest speaker at their 36th congress, which was held in Buenos Aires in October. She presented her research at three separate sessions, namely the Urology in Africa symposium, the symposium for affordable new technology in Urology and the Resident's Forum.

Barnard was also invited to present her research at the 34th World Congress for Endo-urology, held in Cape Town early in November 2016.

She is currently doing her internship at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria.

Prof André van der Merwe, head of the Division of Urology and study leader of both students, said it is a particular privilege and achievement to be able to present your research to the world at such a young age. He hopes this will motivate other students to become involved in undergraduate research.

Students who are interested in doing research, can contact the FMHS' Undergraduate Research Office, managed by Ms Debbie Marais ([email protected]). They can also join the undergraduate research association on the Tygerberg Campus, known as Q.

Photo: Dr Marguerite Barnard