Novel N Chegou is Full Professor of Immunology, at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, in Cape Town, South Africa. He heads a dynamic and highly productive research group that conducts research on biomarkers for tuberculosis (TB). Most of his work is focused on the discovery or validation of new biomarkers or biosignatures for either the diagnosis of TB, predictive biomarkers for different outcomes following the initiation of anti-TB chemotherapy, and biomarkers for understanding protective immunity against TB. Prof Chegou’s work is highly innovative, product development focused and he has contributed to 10 patent applications in his field of research, has co-authored 115 peer-reviewed publications, most of which are highly cited, graduated several postgraduate students from different African countries, and his work has led to the development of two prototype point of care tests that are designed to specifically work in remote African and other rural settings. He is a South African NRF B-Rated researcher and has won a considerable number of national and international awards, including the United Kingdom Royal Society’s “Royal Society Africa Prize”, for the year 2022.
