Professor H. Simon Schaaf

Professor H. Simon Schaaf is a pioneer researcher in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and his work has helped to broaden the understanding and management of the disease, particularly in children. His research covers a range of areas including TB drug resistance surveillance, pharmacokinetics of antituberculosis drugs in children, HIV/TB coinfection, childhood TB diagnosis, TB meningitis, and developing new treatment strategies, both for treatment and prevention of drug-resistant TB in children.

Prof Schaaf, a paediatrician and infectious diseases specialist, completed his Doctoral studies on Drugresistant tuberculosis in children at Stellenbosch University. He is currently Emeritus Professor and Principal Researcher at the Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University. He has published and co-published more than 350 peer-reviewed articles in various international journals, published more than 30 book chapters, and has edited two books. He has consulted for many organisations including the World Health Organisation, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, European CDC, and the National Clinical Advisory Committee for Drug-resistant TB in South Africa. He is Honorary Member of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease and received the Order of Mapungubwe (silver) for his contribution to the field of medical sciences from the President of South Africa.