Laser Research Centre Team
PROF HEIDI ABRAHAMSE聽
Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences,鈥� 东京热鈥�
E-mail: habrahamse@uj.ac.za
Research Profile:
Distinguished Professor Heidi Abrahamse has been the Director of the Laser Research Centre since 2007 and has held the DSI/NRF SARChi Chair in Laser Applications in Health in the faculty of Health Sciences, 东京热 since 2015. As a NRF B-rated scientist with a Scopus H-index of 61 and 14,493 citations, her research is centered on Photodynamic therapy and Photobiomodulation, with a particular focus on cancer diagnosis and treatment, diabetic wound healing, and regenerative therapy. Her publication record is impressive with 392 peer reviewed accredited journal publications, 71 accredited full paper proceedings, 67 chapters and 4 books.聽 She has consistently demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, as evidenced by her inclusion in Stanford University’s prestigious Top 2% Scientists list for four consecutive years: 2020-2025. The expertise of Prof Abrahamse ranks in the top 0.0049% expertise in photosensiting agents worldwide. In her current role as Director of the Laser Research Centre, she leads a dynamic research team consisting of 5 staff members, 2 distinguished visiting professors, 3 visiting professors, 2 visiting research associates, 14 postdoctoral fellows, 15 doctoral students, and 8 master鈥檚 students. Her extensive service on various Faculty, University, National, and International Committees and Boards, including the National Health Research Committee and the UJ Council, underscores her unwavering commitment to academia and research.聽 Prof. Abrahamse has received numerous national and international research awards, including being the first and only female to win the Distinguished Vice-Chancellor Award for Excellence in Research twice, 2010 and 2020 and the HERS Lifetime Achiever Award in 2023. In 2019 she received the International Photodynamic Association Humanitarian award recognize those who have made selfless efforts and personal sacrifices to enhance and promote the science of Photodynamic therapy and in 2022 she received the International Photodynamic Association for Basic PDT Research Excellence Award and in 2025 she was the recipient of the Mail & Guardian Power of Woman award in the health category.聽 She has been invited to deliver keynote and plenary talks at multiple international conferences and has hosted a number of national and international conferences and symposia. 鈥�
PROF MICHAEL R HAMBLIN – Distinguished Visiting Professor
Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, 东京热
Michael R Hamblin Ph.D. is a Distinguished Visiting Professor at 东京热. His research interests include photodynamic therapy, photobiomodulation, and drug delivery.聽 He has published over 850 peer-reviewed articles with an h-factor 176 and >125,000 citations. He is Editor-in-Chief of 鈥淧hotobiomodulation, Photomedicine and Laser Surgery鈥�. He has authored/edited 40 textbooks. Honors include Fellow of SPIE in 2011, 1st Endre Mester Lifetime Achievement from NAALT, Outstanding Career Award from the Dose Response Society, 1st Ali Javan Photobiomodulation Basic Science Research from WALT, Lifetime Achievement from European Medical Laser Association, President鈥檚 Choice Award from International Photodynamic Association and ESP Gold Medal.
PROF NICOLETTE HOURLED鈥�
Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences,鈥� 东京热鈥�
Prof. Nicolette Houreld is a Professor and the DST-NRF SARChI Deputy Chair-holder: Laser Applications in Health in the Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences at the 东京热. Prof Houreld has demonstrated dedication, innovation, and leadership in the field of biophotonics and photobiomodulation (PBM) over the last 28 years, making significant contributions that have advanced our understanding of the fundamental biological processes of PBM on diabetic wound healing. She currently coordinates the Wound Healing Research Niche within the LRC. Prof. Houreld is a NRF C1-rated researcher, and with a Scopus H-index of 37 and over 140 scholarly works, her research has gained widespread recognition from the scientific community. She is ranked #9 in Wound Healing by ScholarGPS and has been listed among the top 2% most-cited scientists in the Elsevier-Stanford University database for the last five years (2020-2025). She has supervised numerous postgraduate students and postdoctoral research fellows. Prof. Houreld is also involved in undergraduate teaching, where she lectures Medical Sciences (microbiology) to Podiatry students. She plays an active leadership role in the academic and scientific community, serving as the President of the World Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy (WALT), Chair of the Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee, and serves on the Senate Research Ethics Committee at the 东京热, and is a member of ASSAf. She is also on the editorial board for the journal Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. She has delivered numerous presentations at national and international conferences and delivered several plenary and keynote presentations. In 2022 she was awarded the UJ Vice-Chancellor鈥檚 Distinguished Award for Outstanding Researcher of the Year.
PROF BLASSAN GEORGE鈥�
Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences,鈥� 东京热鈥�
Prof Blassan George is a Professor at the Laser Research Centre (LRC) within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the 东京热. Prof George’s primary research expertise lies in the field of photodynamic therapy (PDT), with a specific focus on the development and application of natural photosensitisers for cancer treatment. He currently coordinates the Phyto-Photodynamic Therapy Research Niche within the LRC. He has an extensive publication record, with over 105 peer-reviewed journal articles to his credit with a Scopus h-index of 29. He is actively engaged in postgraduate supervision and mentorship, currently supervising two Master鈥檚 students, four PhD candidates, and two postdoctoral research fellows. To date, he has successfully supervised the completion of 4 postdoctoral fellows, 3 doctoral theses, 11 Master鈥檚 dissertations, and 5 BSc Honours research projects. In addition to his research responsibilities, Prof. George is involved in undergraduate teaching. He lectures in Cell Biology to the Medical Laboratory Science students under the Department of Biomedical Sciences. Prof George is an NRF Y1-rated researcher. He has been listed among the top 2% most-cited scientists in the Elsevier-Stanford University database. He is an active member of the Higher Degrees Committee (HDC) within the Faculty of Health Sciences 东京热 and serves on the NRF internal rating panel, UJ Senate and UJ senate Research Ethics, Occupational Safety Committee member. Prof George was appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Research Outputs Evaluation Sub-Panel for Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences for the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Republic of South Africa, and a board member of African Phytomedicine Scientific Society. He maintains active professional affiliations with several prestigious national and international scientific societies including fellow Royal Society of Biology.
PROF CHUKUKA ENWEMEKA (PH.D) 鈥� Visiting Professor
Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, 东京热
Prof. Chukuka S. Enwemeka is Emeritus Professor and Director of Photomedicine Research Laboratory, College of Health and Human Services, San Diego State University (SDSU), San Diego, California, Emeritus Distinguished Professor and Emeritus Dean, University of Wisconsin鈥擬ilwaukee, Wisconsin. Professor Enwemeka served as Provost and Senior Vice President of SDSU and is the Founding President/Vice Chancellor of James Hope University, Lagos, Nigeria. He is also appointed as a visiting Professor in the Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences at the Univer sity of Johannesburg. He earned his Ph.D. from New York University, and is a Fellow of both the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. He is a past President of the World Association for Laser Therapy (WALT) and a F ounder and P ioneer C hairman of the North American Association for Laser Therapy ( NAALT). Prof. Enwemeka is the author of more than 100 research and professional publications w ith a Scopus h index of 34 and holds four US and international patents on photo-eradication of microorganism with blue light. As an international figure his academic engagements have taken him to more than 40 countries. Selected media coverage of his works includes reports by Reuters, CBS News, United Press International (UPI), Entrepreneur, Photonics, Forbes, Fox Business News, Science Daily News, WebMD, The Nigerian Guardian, Gulf News, Daily India, and interviews by CNBC, PBS, NABNTV, Peer Interviews, Nice France.
PROF SATHISH SUNDAR DHILIP KUMAR鈥�
Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences,鈥� 东京热 鈥�
Prof Sathish Sundar Dhilip Kumar is an Associate Professor and NRF C2-rated established researcher specializing in nanobiotechnology. His research focuses on the innovative use of nanobiomaterials in photobiomodulation therapy for diabetic wounds, as well as nano-based targeted delivery of photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy in cancer treatment. He has recently been appointed as a Distinguished Adjunct Faculty at the Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, India. He has made notable contributions to research and academia, with over 40 publications in international peer-reviewed journals with an average impact factor of 5.05. His scholarly influence is reflected in an h-index of 22, an i10-index of 30, and over 2220 citations. He has secured substantial competitive funding to advance his research, including the prestigious NRF-CPRR Grant, SAMRC Self-Initiated Research Grant, URC grants from the UJ, NRF-KIC International Travel Grant, and Claude Leon Foundation Grant, reflecting consistent recognition of his contributions to scientific excellence. He has also shared his expertise at numerous prestigious national and international conferences. Prof Dhilip Kumar actively contributes to the advancement of his field through membership in key professional organizations, including the Royal Society of Biology (UK), the British Society for Nanomedicine (UK), the American Chemical Society (USA), and the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (South Africa). Prof. Dhilip Kumar has been an active member of the Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee at the 东京热 since 2022. Prof Dhilip Kumar demonstrated strong leadership potential, earning distinction in UJ鈥檚 six-month Emerging Leader 2023 program and being awarded the U21 Mid-Career Researchers Leadership Program in partnership with Common Purpose and Universitas 21. His research work aligns with the UN SDGs, particularly those pertaining to good health and well-being (SDGs #3), quality education (SDGs #4), Industry Innovation and Infrastructure (SDGs #9), as well as Partnerships for the Goals (SDGs #17).
PROF ANINE CROUS鈥�
Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences,鈥� 东京热 鈥�
Prof Anine Crous is an Associate Professor and NRF Y-rated researcher at the 东京热, based at the Laser Research Centre and the Department of Biomedical Sciences within the Faculty of Health Sciences. Her research bridges the fields of photobiomodulation (PBM), photodynamic therapy (PDT), stem cell biology, and cancer stem cells (CSCs), with a particular focus on regenerative medicine and advanced 3D cell culture models. She has authored more than 30 scholarly contributions, including peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and international conference proceedings. Her research impact is reflected in her Scopus h-index of 11 and Google Scholar h-index of 13. Prof. Crous actively supervises a dynamic group of postgraduate students, including master鈥檚, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral research fellows, and has successfully mentored numerous honours graduates. As an experienced academic, she lectures Immunology 1 and integrates constructivist and student-centred learning strategies into her teaching practice. Prof. Crous holds several leadership roles, including Chair of the OPTICA Technical Group on Therapeutic Laser Applications, Membership Director of the World Association for Laser Therapy (WALT), and serves on the Faculty Board and Higher Degrees Committee within the Faculty of Health Sciences. She has secured competitive funding from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), the National Research Foundation (NRF) Thuthuka Programme, the African Laser Centre, and various internal UJ research initiatives. Her work has been presented at over 15 national and international conferences, and she has served as a guest editor for prominent international journals in the field of photomedicine. Prof. Crous has been recognised for her leadership potential and research excellence through selection to the DSI/THENSA Supervisor Enhancement Programme, the UJ emerging leader programme, the U21 Programme for Mid-Career Researchers, and completed the UJ Research Leadership Programme. Through her ongoing research, mentorship, and academic service, she continues to contribute to the advancement of therapeutic laser applications and the development of the next generation of biomedical scientists.
PROF VANDERLEI S BAGNATO 鈥� Distinguished Visiting Professor
IFSC -University of Sao Paulo 鈥� Brazil
BMEN- Texas A&M University – USA
LRC 东京热, South Africa
PhD from MIT (1987). Double major in Material Science Engineering (Universidade Federal de S茫o Carlos – Brasil – 1981) and Physics (Universidade de S茫o Paulo – Brasil – 1981). Received the title of聽 鈥淟ivre 鈥� Docente鈥� by the University of S茫o Paulo (1989) and Full Professor by the University of S茫o Paulo (1993). Recently has also joined the Texas A&M University in Biomedical Engineering.聽 His activities are based on laser cooling, trapping of neutral atoms, and applications of optics and laser to health science. Has published over 800 paper and has supervised more than 130 graduate students.聽 Members of: National Academy of Science NAS – (USA), Pontifical Academy of Science (Vaticano), TWAS, Brazilian Academy of Science (ABC), and Latin America Academy of Science (ACAL).
DR SAJAN GEORGE 鈥� Visiting Researcher
School of Bio Sciences & Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, India.
Laser Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, 东京热, South Africa
Dr. Sajan George did his doctoral research in the LRC, UJ under the supervision of Prof. Heidi Abrahamse. His project differentiated stem cells into neuron-like cells using the near infrared laser. Dr. George had identified the biological role of antibiotics as growth promoters in weanling piglets. He had conducted preclinical trials of Malassezia sp. with anti-fungal drugs in house-hold dogs. He had established an 鈥業ntegrated Farming System鈥� with agronomy & animals for teaching & research in the Vellore Institute of Technology, India. Dr. George manages the laboratory animal facilities (vivarium) of Vellore Institute of Technology and Schieffelin Institute of Health Research, India. He generates surgical models of kidney fibrosis in rodents, bone and tissue implants in rodents and rabbits for testing drugs and small molecules as a part of student research projects.
DR SULAIMAN CHERUTHAZHAKKAT 鈥� Visiting Researcher
Centre for Medicinal Plants Research, Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal, India
Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, 东京热, South Africa
Dr Sulaiman C T is serving as Senior Scientist & Head of the Phytochemistry Division of Centre for Medicinal Plants Research, Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal, India. The main focus areas of research are phytochemical characterization of medicinal plants, scientific validation of traditional knowledge and drug development for specific disease conditions. His research contributions are evidenced by more than 70 research articles in various international journals. He has delivered many lead lectures in more than 40 national and international Conferences and serving as Visiting Researcher at Laser Research Centre, 东京热. He is the recipient of Young Scientist award 2018 instituted by Government of Kerala, Dr. P D Sethi memorial National award 2020, Young Scientist award 2024 instituted by Society for Plant Research and Life time achievement award conferred at 8th Global Summit on Medicinal and Aromatic plants-2023, Bangkok, Thailand.
PROF LOTHAR LILGE 鈥� Visiting Professor
University Health Network聽 and University of Toronto
Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, 东京热
Prof Lothar Lilge,聽 Senior Scientist at the Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto and Professor at the Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Canada.聽 Prof Lilge earned a Master of Science in Physics and a PhD in Bio-Physics from Johann Wolfgang Goethe University (FRG) and Westf盲lische Wilhelms Universit盲t (FRG) in 1987 and 1992. He served as a post-doctoral researcher at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, before becoming a scientist, manager, and director at the Ontario Cancer Institute. Prof Lilge has served and continues to serve on a number of national and international professional bodies and committees. Board of Directors of the “Ontario Photonics Technology Industry Cluster,” reviewer for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, member of the NSERC/ISTC Global Partnership Grant Selection Committee, ad hoc member of the NIH Nano Panel, chair of the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute, and the Canadian Prostate Cancer Grant Selection Committee, among many others. Prof Lilge serves on the Editorial Board and as a guest editor for a number of peer-reviewed international journals, including the Journal of Biomedical Optics, the Journal of Translational Biophotonics, the Journal of Innovative Optical Health Sciences, and Photodiagnostic and Photodynamic Therapy. He serves as an industry scientific consultant to Walsh Medical Inc., Oakville, Canada, Cytotelesis, Toronto, Ondine Biomedical Inc., Vancouver, and CleanslateUV, Toronto, on various preclinical investigations and prototype development. Prof. Lilge organised numerous international biophotonics conferences, including the International Photodynamic Association (IPA) 2023 confernce in Finalnd.聽 He has received several grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. He holds 11 patents and has over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles, 10 book chapters, three books, and 146 presentations and special lectures with published proceedings.
PROF ARUN MAIYA 鈥� Visiting Professor
Professor & Dean, Centre for podiatry & diabetic footcare research, Physiotherapy, MCHP MAHE Deemed University, Manipal, India
Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, 东京热 arun.maiya@manipal.edu, ajmaiya@gmail.com
Number of peer reviewed accredited publications: 197, H Index: 35
Published 03 Patent, and 10 copy rights. 26 PhD scholars were awarded PhD under the guidance and 08 are pursuing PhD. President: Undergraduate Regulation and Accreditation, Karnataka State Commission for Allied and Healthcare Commission, Karnataka Visiting Professor: Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, 东京热, South Africa聽 and Director: Maiya鈥檚 Healthcare Innovation PVT Ltd. Short Term fellowship on Low Level Laser in Oral Mucositis at Anti Pollis University France 2004. Expert member in consensus meeting on 鈥淚CF CORE SETS FOR HEAD AND NECK CANCER鈥� a joint project between Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, Germany and World health Organization at Notwil, Switzerland.