Prof Raj Ramesar

MRC Genomic and Precision Medicine Research Unit and University of Cape Town, South Africa

Raj Ramesar has served as Professor and Head of the Division of Human Genetics, at the University of Cape Town for the past 25 years.  As the Director of the MRC Genomic and Precision Medicine Research Unit, the emphasis of his research has been on disease susceptibility in South African populations, progressing from the commonly-recognised inherited diseases, to those that are more complex yet more common and relevant to a large burden of disease.   As Director of the national Colorectal Cancer Research Consortium, his focus has been on the genetics of familial colorectal cancers, and the most effective translation of laboratory findings to the field for optimum benefit of patients and their kin.  Raj’s role in advancing genomic medicine on the continent was recognised by the HUGO Africa Award in 2016.  In addition, he received the (Vice Chancellor’s) Alan Pifer Award for ‘outstanding research in cancer genetics which shows relevance to the advancement of South Africa’s disadvantaged populations’. He was also elected to the College of Fellows of the University of Cape Town.  Raj  has published almost 300 articles in peer reviewed journals, and serves  on the editorial board of several international journals, He serves as the Chair of the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of Retina South Africa, and is Treasurer of the African Society for Human Genetics, As Chair of the Local Organising Committee, Raj co-hosted the International Congress of Human Genetics in Cape Town, in February of 2023  (www.ichg2023.com), which was a runaway success.