Family, friends and colleagues of senior medical technician at UKZN, Dr Shoohana Singh, were extremely proud to witness her graduating with a PhD in Obstetrics and Gynaecology on 21 September.
She is a reminder that not only academics but also professional services staff push themselves to PhD level in their respective disciplines.
Conducted at the College of Health Sciences’ Optics and Imaging Centre (OIC) and supervised by its Head, Professor Thajasvarie (Anita) Naicker and Professor Jagidesa Moodley, Singh evaluated the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (a system of hormones, proteins, enzymes and reactions that regulate blood pressure and blood volume on a long-term basis) in the placenta and placental bed of preeclamptic, HIV-infected women of African ancestry. Preeclampsia is a high blood pressure disorder that occurs during pregnancy.
The research findings showed significant dysregulation in expression of angiotensin receptors (a class of G protein-coupled receptors with angiotensin II as their ligands) in both the placenta and placental bed (innermost lining of the uterus) – receptors which are related to vascular function and ultimately hypertension.
‘We had to consider the complication with HIV-infection, which also affects these receptors. It has been established that current receptor-blocking medication cannot be used on preeclamptic women. The findings may serve as a basis for drug development to enhance the vaso-dilating receptor function (widening of blood vessels),’ said Singh.
Singh experienced first-hand the dangerous effects of late-onset preeclampsia during her first pregnancy and was disheartened to discover that two decades on, there was still inadequate intervention in treating this life-threatening condition. ‘Furthermore, the rate of HIV-infected pregnant women in our province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is unacceptably high at 40.9%, and we lose 127 mothers for every 100 000 live births. The goal should be to collate study findings in order to educate and improve all women’s quality of life,’ she said.
‘When I initially enrolled for my PhD, the COVID-19 pandemic had just been unleashed. Specimen collection and access to hospitals was the greatest challenge. Laboratory bench time had to be carefully scheduled with valid permits. The fear of contracting COVID-19 was the worst; however, the stringent safety standards enforced by UKZN eased the situation. My colleagues’ team spirit and support from my supervisors and management team were of great assistance,’ remarked Singh.
‘It feels surreal that I have completed my PhD. The journey was challenging but rewarding. It’s never easy trying to manage a family and a career, but my family’s unwavering support was instrumental in my success. My objective as a future academic is to focus more on research and to acquire scholarships for young researchers entering this profession.’
She added: ‘It is with a sense of pride and dignity that I fly the UKZN flag high. We stand tall at international conferences, and our research contributions are acknowledged on a global scale. It is encouraging to know that I have made a positive contribution to the College of Health Sciences’ research output.’
Singh was born in Ladysmith in northern KwaZulu-Natal. ‘I come from a female-dominated family, with three sisters and a remarkable mother who always believed education was the one thing no one could take from you. With that conviction and her constant support, I began my undergraduate studies at the former University of Natal (Pietermaritzburg campus) in 1999.’
Singh completed her Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree in Durban as part of the first cohort to complete this degree. Her initial inclination was to study Medicine, but she quickly realised that Medical Science was her true passion.
‘I pursued a Bachelor of Medical Science Honours before landing a position at the Centre for AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA). My experience at CAPRISA and the research exposure I received were invaluable. At this point, I realised I wanted to expand my knowledge in HIV-related research, so I enrolled in a master’s programme. In 2007, I turned full circle and returned to my alma mater as the Senior Medical Technician in the Physiology Discipline in the School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences.’
Apart from spending quality time with her children and husband, Singh enjoys acquiring new skills such as nail art and design. She also enjoys rollercoaster riding and dancing.
She is a recipient of the National Cancer Research Institute (US) and CAPRISA’s Southern African Fogarty AITRP HIV/AIDS-Associated Kaposi’s Sarcoma Award. She received second prize and, a travel grant, for staff presentations at the College of Health Science’s Research Symposium in 2015.
The International AIDS Society funded Singh to present at the 21st International AIDS Conference in 2016. She received the School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences’ travel grant to attend and present at the 2023 meeting of the International Federation of Placenta Associations in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Singh’s book chapter is due for release this year in Springer Nature Books – Biomedical Visualization, Vol. 2: Microscopy Techniques for Biomedical Education and Healthcare Practice (2023). She has published five articles, with six manuscripts under review.
Words: Lunga Memela
Photograph: Albert Hirasen
