Dr. Wilmot James (Chairman)

Dr. Wilmot James is the chairman of the AGEI. He is also an Honorary Professor at the universities of Cape Town and Pretoria and was recently appointed a Visiting Research Professor at the Open University. His most recent publication is, with Jo Chataway eds., Biotechnology & Health (Pretoria, 2007). He has a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin(1982).

Prof. Raj Ramesar

Professor Raj Ramesar is Head of the Division of Human Genetics and Director of the MRC Human Genetics Research Unit at the University of Cape Town. He was recently awarded the UCT Vice-Chancellor’s Alan Pifer Award (2008) for his translation of sophisticated molecular genetic research for application to rural and indigenous communities. He currently serves on the Executive of the African Society for Human Genetics, the International Federation of Human Genetic Societies, and on the editorial board of several international journals.

Dr. Lorna Holtman

Dr. Lorna Holtman is the Deputy Dean of Science at the University of the Western Cape. She is the South African National Committee chairperson (2007-2009) of the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS) and an Executive Member of IUBS, Executive Member of the Commission on Biology Educaiton (CBE) and Africa representative, and newly elected Vice – President of CBE.

Dr. Heather Sherwin

Dr. Heather Sherwin is currently the Fund Manager of Bioventures, South Africa’s first Biotechnology Venture Capital Fund, and also played an instrumental role in the setting up of the fund. She holds a PhD in Cell Biology from the University of Natal (Durban) with 5years research experience post PhD and a MBA from the University of Cape Town.

Dr. Janice Golding

Dr. Janice Golding is a freelance consultant on business innovation and investment in society and environment on behalf of NGO’s in South Africa and the UK. She served as the coordinator of a World-Bank funded biodiversity/taxonomy project across ten countries in the SADC region. She was recently offered a place on the Global Executive Leadership MBA Programme at the RSM Business School, Rotterdam. She holds a doctorate in Botany at Oxford University (Environmental Change Institute).

Ms. Nonhlanhla Dlamini

Nonhlanhla Dlamini is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Cape Town’s Department of Human Biology, and is also a consultant in contract archaeology and forensic work. Her doctoral research focuses on characterising the bio – cultural diversity of the early inhabitants from the Upemba Depression, DRC. She also holds substantial experience in both teaching and field work.

Mr. Roger Trythall

Roger Trythall is the founder and director of Virtus Clinical Development which conducts drug development on behalf of the international based biotechnology companies. He is also actively involved with volunteer work for a Canadian Based NGO at Fezeka Senior Secondary School in Cape Town and has published a number of articles on the pharmaceutical industry, business strategy and management of R & D. He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree and has a post graduate in Business Management

Prof. David Chidester

Professor David Chidester is Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Institute for Comparative Religion in Southern Africa at the University of Cape Town. With an A rating from the National Research Foundation, professor Chidester is the author or editor over twenty books in American studies, South African studies, and comparative religion. Professor Chidester received the American Academy of Religion’s “Award for Excellence in Religious Studies” in 1990 and 1997 and the Alan J Pifer Award for social research in 2005.