Sikhulile Moyo
Sikhulile Moyo | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Alma mater | University of Zimbabwe University of Botswana Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Stellenbosch University |
| Known for | Moyo and his laboratory were the first to identify the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant |
| Children | 3 |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Immunology, infectious diseases |
| Institutions | Botswana–Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health |
| Thesis | HIV-1C Dynamics and Evolutionary Trends in Botswana |
| Doctoral advisor | Susan Engelbrecht Tulio de Oliveira |
Sikhulile M. Moyo is a Zimbabwean virologist working as the laboratory director of the Botswana–Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership in Gaborone.[1][2] He is a research associate in immunology and infectious diseases at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. In November 2021, Moyo and his laboratory were the first to identify the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. In 2022, Moyo was listed in the Time 100 list.
Early life and education
[edit]Moyo was born in Zimbabwe.[1] He completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Zimbabwe in 1996.[3] He completed a master's degree in applied microbiology at the University of Botswana in 2000.[3][4] In 2006, Moyo completed a M.P.H. at the University of Limpopo (MEDUNSA-campus). His thesis was titled Modelling the HIV / AIDS in Botswana: the representativeness of the ANC based estimates of HIV prevalence in Botswana and implications for monitoring the epidemic.[5] Moyo completed a Ph.D. in medical virology at Stellenbosch University in 2016. Tulio de Oliveira was one of his professors.[1] His dissertation was titled Evolutionary trends and dynamics of HIV-1C in Botswana.[3]
Career
[edit]Moyo joined the Botswana–Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership in 2003 as a lab assistant. He later became the laboratory coordinator, deputy manager, and then lab manager in 2016.[3] As of November 2021, Moyo is the laboratory director. He is also a research associate in immunology and infectious diseases at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.[6]
In November 2021, Moyo and his laboratory were the first to identify the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.[7] Upon discovery, they alerted the Botswanan Ministry of Health on November 22, 2021.[8] In 2022, Moyo was listed in the Time 100 list.[9]
Personal life
[edit]Moyo is married and has two sons and a daughter.[3] He is a gospel singer and composer.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Associated Press (December 4, 2021). "Scientist Says Omicron Was a Group Find". VOA. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- ^ Viana R, Moyo S, Amoako DG, Tegally H, Scheepers C, Althaus CL, et al. (March 2022). "Rapid epidemic expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in southern Africa". Nature. 603 (7902): 679–686. Bibcode:2022Natur.603..679V. doi:10.1038/s41586-022-04411-y. PMC 8942855. PMID 35042229.
- ^ a b c d e f "Sikhulile Moyo". Harvard AIDS Initiative. 2016-06-16. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- ^ "Sikhulile Moyo". The Conversation. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- ^ Moyo, Sikhulile (2006). Modelling the HIV / AIDS in Botswana: the representativeness of the ANC based estimates of HIV prevalence in Botswana and implications for monitoring the epidemic (M.P.H. thesis). University of Limpopo. OCLC 190866981.
- ^ "Harvard Catalyst Profiles: Sikhulile Moyo". Harvard Catalyst. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- ^ Kew, Janice (December 4, 2021). "Omicron's speed of change worries director of Harvard lab in Botswana". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- ^ Schrieber, Melody (2021-12-16). "The scientist in Botswana who identified omicron was saddened by the world's reaction". NPR. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- ^ Nkengasong, John (May 23, 2022). "Tulio de Oliveira and Sikhulile Moyo: The 100 Most Influential People of 2022". Time. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
