My primary research focus is on finding the genetic underpinnings of tuberculosis (TB). I developed an interest in this field at the beginning of my postgraduate degrees and continued this focus throughout my postdoctoral studies. I am currently an Associate Professor at Stellenbosch University. My investigations of the genetic contribution of the human host to individual and population susceptibility to tuberculosis include tuberculous meningitis, tuberculosis resisters, the role of ancestry in tuberculosis disease and primary immunodeficiencies. My insights into the latest genetic analyses available have allowed the work on genetic susceptibility to TB to benefit from population genetic analyses and next generation sequencing. My work leverages the complex ancestry of the admixed people in South Africa, specifically the unique genetic contribution from hunter-gatherer ancestry, to find novel genes and pathways involved in TB resistance or susceptibility. Working with communities in the Northern Cape province has led to returning regularly to the communities at their request, with feedback results.

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