Centre Composition and International Engagement
Centre Composition and International Engagement
The Laser Research Centre (LRC) comprises a dynamic and multidisciplinary team of five academic staff members, all of whom are NRF-rated researchers, supported by one administrative assistant. The team is further enriched by the contributions of several visiting professors, research collaborators, and a strong cohort of postdoctoral fellows, doctoral candidates, and master鈥檚 students.
Over the past decade, the LRC has produced a robust body of peer-reviewed research, particularly in the fields of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer, wound healing using photobiomodulation (PBM), and stem cell differentiation enhanced by light-based technologies. These outputs have significantly advanced the field of laser-based biomedical research, both locally and internationally.
A key institutional milestone includes the awarding of the South African Research Chair in Laser Applications in Health to Prof. Heidi Abrahamse in 2016. The Chair, part of the prestigious South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) established by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and administered by the National Research Foundation (NRF), was officially conferred by Minister Naledi Pandor and upgraded to Tier 1 status (2021鈥�2025) in recognition of sustained research leadership and excellence.
International Conferences, Workshops, and Public Engagements
The LRC has a strong legacy of hosting high-impact events that promote scientific collaboration, public education, and innovation in laser applications for health:
- 2025 鈥� Hosted an international symposium ADVANCES IN BIOPHOTONICS AND DRUG DEVELOPMENT: From Basic Mechanisms to Clinical Applications Additional 2025 engagements included:
- A public lecture on the 16th of May 2025, titled Clinical Research: The pursuit of new frontiers in health; Presented by Sherin Mathew from Ontario, Canada
- 2024 鈥� Hosted two international researchers for a Public Lectures: on the 30th of May 2024, titled Photodynamic Action: From Cancer treatment to breaking down the resistance to antibiotics and treating infections Presented by Prof Vanderlei S. Bagnato from IFSC 鈥� University of S茫o Paulo 鈥� Brazil and Prof Arun G. Maiya on the 8th of November. He presented work titled: Effectiveness of photo biomodulation on matrix metalloproteinase in healing dynamics of diabetic neuropathic ulcer: Translational Research under the Theme: I Prevent Amputation鈥�. Prof Maiya is the Dean at聽 MCHP, MAHE, Manipal, India.
- 2023 鈥� The Laser Research Centre hosted a public lecture titled Translational aspect related to PDT treatment planning, Presented by Prof Lothar Lilge from the University of Toronto, Canada
- 2022 – The LRC hosted and presented an international symposium on PBM. LRC PBM SYMPOSIUM: PHOTOBIOMODULATION 鈥� TRENDS IN DISEASE MANAGEMENT. Featuring a number of renowned speakers. Photobiomodulation research for wound healing, pain management, and regenerative medicine was discussed. Additional 2022 engagements included:
- A public lecture by Prof Amit Tiwari from the University of Toledo, USA.) on 鈥淣ovel Non-Conventional Cell Death Induction to Overcome Multidrug Resistance
- 2021 鈥� Delivered a virtual public lecture titled 鈥淢icrobial Disinfection with Pulsed Blue Light鈥�, presented by Prof. Chukuka S. Enwemeka (San Diego State University, USA), with participation from over 50 academic and public attendees.
- 2019 鈥� Organised the International Symposium on Biophotonics in Cancer, in partnership with the ALC, attracting over 150 participants. Additional 2019 engagements included:
- A public lecture by Prof. Luis Arnaut (University of Coimbra, Portugal; President of the International Photodynamic Association) on 鈥淧hotodynamic Therapy: A Contribution to Sustainable, High-Quality Healthcare Systems.鈥�
- A faculty seminar by Dr. Rajan (Madurai Kamaraj University, India) on 鈥淢ulti-functional Biocompatible Scaffold Materials for Tissue Engineering Applications.鈥�
- 2017 鈥� Hosted a faculty lecture titled 鈥淏ioprospecting of Medicinal Plants for Human Welfare鈥�, presented by Prof. Parimelazhagan Thangaraj (Bharathiar University, India).
- 2016 鈥� Presented a public lecture by Prof. Michael Hamblin (Harvard Medical School) titled 鈥淐an all diseases be treated with light?鈥�, along with a PBM training course by Mr. James Carroll (CEO, Thor Photomedicine).
- 2015 鈥� Facilitated an international workshop on Mechanisms, Applications and Clinical Training in Photobiomodulation, attended by students, clinicians, and industry leaders.
- 2012 鈥� Co-hosted a PDT Conference with the African Laser Centre (ALC) and DST as part of the Germany/South Africa Year of Science.
- 2008 鈥� Hosted the first World Association of Laser Therapy (WALT) conference on the African continent, attended by 190 delegates from 28 countries.