Winner. Scientist of the Year 2018. Medical & Health Sciences

Heather Zar

Academic title, degree: Ph.D., Professor 
Fields of science: Pediatrics, Pulmonology
Research interest: Tuberculosis, pneumonia, asthma and lung diseases associated with HIV / AIDS
Institution: University of Cape Town
Position: Director , Medical Research Council Unit (MRC)
Country: South Africa

Professor Heather Zar is the Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at UCT. A leading global expert in the areas of TB, pneumonia, asthma and HIV/AIDS-related lung disease, she has published over 300 scientific articles and has been given the highest rating, A-1 from the National Research Foundation. She has key international roles including serving as the immediate Past-President of the Pan African Thoracic Society, of the Forum International Respiratory Societies, on the NCD Taskforce for Essential Drugs for Children and as an advisor to the World Health Organization.

Prof. Zar grew up in a large family of five children with many other children around, so she easily relates and empathizes with them. She loves working with children and after she did her first pediatric rotation as a fifth-year medical student at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, she knew Pediatrics was going to be her specialty.

Dr. Zar continues to be dedicated to improving child health especially in Africa and to contribute to the development and implementation of better ways to prevent and treat childhood illnesses in Africa and globally. Prof. Zar is a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa. She was awarded the 2018 L’Oreal-UNESCO Women in Science Laureate for Africa and the Arab States. In addition, the University of Cape Town awarded her the 2018 Alan Pifer award for socially responsive research.

Establishing a cutting-edge research program in pneumonia, tuberculosis and asthma, saving the lives of many children worldwide.

Her work on HIV/AIDS related lung disease has helped to change World Health Organization and national guidelines. Work on using low cost recycled plastic bottles as spacers, to help children more easily inhale aerosolized asthma medication, has garnered Dr. Zar global attention. Prof. Zar is one of the leaders of a study of about 1000 children that are being closely followed up over time to better understand and develop preventive strategies to address childhood lung disease and other ailments.