Our Team

Matthew Chersich

Director & Research Professor

Matthew Chersich is a Research Professor and executive director at Wits Planetary Health Research division, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa and a Research Fellow at Public Health and Primary Care, School of Medicine, Trinity College, Ireland. He is a medical doctor who has worked on public health research across Africa for around 20 years and with World Health Organisation and other international organisations. After medical school at the University of Witwatersrand, Matthew studied public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and doctoral studies at Ghent University, Belgium. His research covers the impacts of climate change on health, especially in pregnancy, and the assessment of adaptation interventions.

He is leading the NIH HE2AT Center on data science and climate change and Wellcome Trust grants that examine the biological pathways mediating heat effects in pregnancy and the effectiveness of adaptation interventions.

Fiona Scorgie

Medical Anthropologist

Fiona Scorgie is a medical anthropologist and qualitative researcher interested in ethnographic and visual methodologies, sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention, vaccine acceptance, and climate change and health. With a PhD in Social Anthropology from Cambridge University, Fiona brings 20 years of experience in conceptualising and designing qualitative studies, training field staff, and analysing qualitative health data. She has worked across multidisciplinary academic and NGO spaces, with most of her research undertaken in southern and East African settings. Based in Dublin, her work with Wits Planetary Health Research focuses on translating health impact attribution findings and offers technical inputs on qualitative sub-studies. She is also an adjunct lecturer with the Centre for Global Health at Trinity College Dublin.

A committed feminist, environmentalist and dog-whisperer, Fiona enjoys walking in nature, embroidery, and reading. She is currently in training as a psychotherapist.

Admire Chikandiwa

Clinical Epidemiologist

Admire Chikandiwa is a Senior Researcher and Clinical Epidemiologist at Wits Planetary Health Research. He holds a PhD in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of the Witwatersrand, an MBA from Regent Business School, a Diploma in HIV Management from the College of Medicine of South Africa, a Master's in Public Health from the University of the Western Cape, and a Bachelor's degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Zimbabwe. With over 16 years of experience in public health, Admire has developed expertise in maternal and sexual reproductive health, as a clinician and an epidemiologist. His research interests focus on the intersection of infectious diseases, climate change and reproductive health outcomes. He is a lead investigator of the DISCOURSE Hub, a program investigating the links between various infectious diseases and cancers in Africa.

Currently, he is a co-investigator in a program examining the biological pathways linking heat exposure to preterm birth and other adverse maternal and child health outcomes in South Africa. He has also contributed expertly to the South African National Cervical Cancer Policy and STI Strategic Control Plan.

Ijeoma Solarin

Senior Researcher

Ijeoma Solarin is a Senior Researcher at Wits Planetary Health Research. With a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, Ijeoma brings extensive research and public health experience across three continents. Her work focuses on understanding the effects of heat on maternal and child health, while developing strategies to mitigate these impacts.

Ijeoma's research interests extend to the social determinants of health and the well-being of migrant and minority populations. She is particularly passionate about incorporating community voices into public health research, ensuring their perspectives are represented in both findings and solutions. With her international experience, Ijeoma offers a wealth of knowledge in interdisciplinary research, having worked on various public health initiatives.

On a personal note, she lives in a house full of sporty people—her husband and two sons—and now knows more about cricket and football than she ever expected! In her spare time, she enjoys growing her own food, experimenting with a variety of vegetables (high success rate), and loves tackling logic puzzles (medium success rate). A lifelong learner, Ijeoma is always looking for new skills and challenges to explore.

Darshnika Lakhoo

Research Clinician

Darshnika Lakhoo is a medical doctor with a master's in public health serving as a research clinician at Wits Planetary Health Research. Her work focuses on understanding and mitigating the impacts of heat on maternal and child health and urban populations.

With years of experience in public health and clinical research, Darshnika has contributed to multiple projects aimed at addressing the health challenges posed by climate change. Her expertise lies in analysing the intersections of health and environmental stressors, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Currently, she is engaged in research with the HE²AT Center and Bio-HEAT, where she explores strategies for protecting communities from extreme heat. Her work directly supports the development of new approaches for adapting to climate challenges.

Outside of her professional role, Darshnika has a deep appreciation for nature. She enjoys hiking and birding, activities that rejuvenate her and inspire her ongoing commitment to planetary health.

Nicholas Brink

Clinical Researcher

Nicholas Brink is a clinical researcher at Wits Planetary Health Research, having transitioned from clinical medicine while working at Tintswalo Hospital in South Africa. He is passionate about exploring emerging public health threats, particularly the impact of climate change on maternal health. With a background in clinical medicine, Nicholas has shifted his focus towards public health research. His work now centers on developing innovative solutions to address heat-related health impacts, particularly among pregnant women.

Currently, Nicholas is researching the health impacts of climate change on pregnant women, using digital solutions to provide actionable insights. He also supports Tintswalo Hospital through the Tshemba Foundation, continuing his commitment to healthcare in rural settings.

Outside of his professional life, he has many interests, enjoying local travel, photography and birding while working remotely on the outskirts of the Kruger National Park.

Craig Parker

Data Scientist

Craig Parker is a dedicated Data Scientist with a strong commitment to addressing the critical challenges at the intersection of climate and health through the application of artificial intelligence. He currently serves as a Co-Investigator at the NIH-funded HE²AT Center, part of the DSI Africa programme, and is pursuing a PhD at the Wits School of Public Health.

Craig has a background in both public health and data science, bringing years of experience in applying machine learning, data harmonization, and geospatial analysis to urban climate adaptation. Prior to his current role, he worked at Maersk, optimising cargo logistics using AI to tackle complex shipping challenges.

Craig's research primarily focuses on developing early warning systems for heat-related health risks in African cities. His work supports urban climate adaptation by leveraging innovative data science techniques.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Craig is a devoted father of three, a dedicated husband, and an avid runner, coder, and reader.

Lebohang Radebe

Data Scientist & Statistician

Lebohang Radebe is a Data Scientist and Statistician at Wits Planetary Health Research, bringing over 7 years of experience working with health data. She has expertise in building predictive models for clinical decision support and improving population health management.

Lebohang holds a Master's in Applied Computing (Data Science) from the University of Toronto and has worked extensively in health data science. Her experience spans statistical monitoring of national health programs, including HIV, and she is now focused on climate and health analyses.

Currently, Lebohang applies her data science skills to climate-related health research, particularly within African contexts. Her work involves developing analytical models that support health outcomes amidst climate challenges.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two kiddos, partner, friends and family, as well as her first true love - cooking and baking!

Ruvimbo Forget

Data Specialist

Ruvimbo is a dedicated data specialist with a strong foundation in public health and a master's in epidemiology and biostatistics from the University of Witwatersrand. With years of experience in data analysis and health research, she is currently focused on data harmonization projects to support evidence-based interventions for climate adaptation, particularly addressing heat-related health impacts. She is passionate about strengthening Africa's response to climate change, Ruvimbo is committed to helping vulnerable communities in resource-limited settings.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending cherished time with her family, her absolute safe space, as well as serving in church, playing hockey and unwinding with African literature.

Margaret M. Brennan

Research Clinician

Margaret is a dedicated clinician researcher with a strong commitment to planetary health. She is in Year 1 of the Health Research Board of Ireland-funded Irish Clinical Academic Training PhD programme and in her current role at Trinity College Dublin and Wits University, Margaret contributes to projects examining how heat affects maternal, newborn and child health. With a background in public health, Margaret has experience in epidemiological research, statistical modelling and policy development. She studied medicine (MB, BCh, BAO) at the National University of Ireland, Galway and completed her master's in Public Health (MSc PH) at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Professionally, she has worked with the Health Service Executive, Ireland in internal and public health medicine and as a researcher at Trinity College Dublin.

Margaret is currently developing her PhD research, which will investigate the impacts of heat exposure on maternal and neonatal health. Her work aims to contribute to global health efforts to protect maternal, newborn and child health in the context of a changing climate.

Outside of her professional role, Margaret enjoys hiking, reading and live music. She is passionate about environmental sustainability, which complements her professional journey.

Kimberly McAlpine

Clinical Training

Kimberly McAlpine is a dynamic medical student and PhD student at Wits University, committed to bridging the gap between clinical medicine, environmental health, and innovative research. With a passion for improving maternal and neonatal outcomes, particularly in vulnerable populations, Kimberly brings a multidisciplinary approach to tackling complex healthcare challenges. Her work reflects a drive to contribute to global health solutions that are sustainable, impactful, and equitable.

Kimberly's clinical training and research experience have shaped her interest in maternal and neonatal health, reproductive medicine, and paediatric care. Her medical studies have exposed her to rural and urban healthcare settings, where she has developed a nuanced understanding of healthcare delivery in resource-constrained environments. In addition to her clinical endeavours, Kimberly has explored the application of artificial intelligence in medical education, investigating how emerging technologies can improve learning and thereby contribute to better healthcare outcomes.

As part of her intercalated PhD with the Wits Planetary Health Research, Kimberly is investigating the effects of heat exposure and rising temperatures on maternal and neonatal health, with a focus on HIV-positive women. Her work aligns with the Bio-HEAT study, addressing critical gaps in understanding how climate change exacerbates health risks in vulnerable populations. Additionally, Kimberly continues to explore how AI can improve learning outcomes in medical training.

Kimberly is deeply involved in her church community, where she finds fulfilment through active participation and service. Additionally, Kimberly is an avid runner who thrives on physical activity, viewing it as a vital part of both her lifestyle and mental well-being. She has a special interest in nutrition, gut health, and the mind-gut connection, which complements her holistic approach to health and wellness. Kimberly has an adventurous palate and enjoys exploring diverse cuisines and discovering unique flavours. Her love for travel takes her to new destinations where she embraces different cultures and experiences, broadening her perspective both personally and professionally. Kimberly plays multiple instruments, blending her love of music with her dedication to personal growth.

Natasha Lalloo

Research Clinician

Natasha Lalloo is a medical doctor from South Africa, passionate about public health and intersectional environmentalism, with particular interest in planetary health and climate change. She has a master of science in public health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and has experience working in urban, rural, public and private hospital settings in South Africa, as well as experience working on clinical trials and internationally funded public health and environmental health projects. She has a wide array of professional skills and experience including statistics (coding and analysis in Stata and R), epidemiology (including environmental epidemiology), policy (briefs, reports, analysis), intervention monitoring and evaluation, designing research studies and grant proposals, GIS skills, and quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.

She is currently serving as a research clinician at Wits Planetary Health Research. Her primary focus is the HarmonAize project, working on data synchronisation acrosss multiple studies in Africa to answer climate and health questions.

Spending much of her free time outdoors, Natasha’s deep connection with nature inspired her environmentalism and transition from clinical medicine to planetary health. She hikes, surfs, forages for mushrooms, scuba dives, goes birding and invasives hacking, and dabbles in gardening. She also loves reading, crosswords, complex boardgames, and cooking, plays acoustic guitar, and lifts heavy weights at the gym.

Elizabeth Frederick

Portfolio Manager

Elizabeth Frederick is the Portfolio Manager at Wits Planetary Health Research and the Hub Administrator for the HE²AT Center. She has been working in the non-profit sector for 15 years and brings extensive experience in financial and grants management, having worked with donors like USAID, NRASD, and the EU.

Elizabeth ensures research projects are managed efficiently from start to finish, focusing on operations, data acquisition, and financial oversight. Recently, she transitioned into the research sphere, focusing on planetary health.

Elizabeth has a passion for God and people in need. She strives to make an impact through her work and relationships. In her downtime, she enjoys the creative arts.

Reneilwe Satekge

Project Manager

Reneilwe Satekge is a Project Manager at Wits Planetary Health Research with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (Business Administration) from the University of the Witwatersrand. Her role involves providing optimal, consistent, and coordinated operational and administrative support for multiple research projects across the division.

With her academic background in chemistry and business administration, Reneilwe brings a unique combination of technical and managerial expertise to her work. She is responsible for overseeing project implementation activities, ensuring that research partners meet project milestones, and supporting the preparation of detailed project reports for funders. Her role is crucial in maintaining the smooth operation and progress of research projects within Wits PHR. She manages the operational logistics of numerous research initiatives within the division, ensuring that projects run efficiently and according to plan; monitors project timelines and progress; coordinates with various research partners; and assists in reporting requirements to funders, ensuring transparency and accountability in all stages of the research process.

Outside of work, Reneilwe enjoys engaging in outdoor activities.

Nontokozo Langa

Operations Coordinator

Nontokozo Langa is a self-motivated Operations Coordinator at the Wits Planetary Health Research, with eight years of experience in office administration. She holds a diploma in Office Administration and has developed strong skills in administration, patient care, and teamwork throughout her career. Her role involves overseeing the operational activities of various departments, ensuring the efficient coordination of schedules, meetings, and departmental goals. As the main liaison with external service providers, Nontokozo ensures seamless communication and supports operational efficiency within the organisation as well as works closely with managers at all levels, supporting strategic planning and execution. She is deeply involved in procurement and other essential functions that keep the unit's activities on track. Her attention to detail and ability to prioritise tasks ensure that the organisation's operations run smoothly.

Nontokozo enjoys spending time indoors with her family. She is passionate about learning new skills and working with people. As someone who works well under pressure, she takes great pride in maintaining professionalism in all aspects of her role.