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Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)

Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)

Followers of Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)3000 followers
location of Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Founder & COO | TEDx Speaker | Harvard South Africa Fellow | Harvard Graduate Council COO | IVLP Alum | Internationally Recognised Additive Manufacturing & Healthcare Expert | Design Thinker for Global Ventures

  • Education

    • Hillcrest High School, Durban

      -

    • Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

      2024 - 2025
      Master of Public Health - MPH Health Management

    • University of KwaZulu-Natal

      2006 - 2009
      Undergraduate Microbiology and Biochemistry

    • University of KwaZulu-Natal

      2010 - 2010
      Honours Biochemistry

    • University of Cape Town

      2013 - 2017
      Doctor of Philosophy - PhD Medical Biochemistry

      Investigating the role of the renin angiotensin system in cancer

    • Graduate School of Business - University of Cape Town

      2018 - 2018
      Impact Venture Incubation Programme 2018 Social Entrepreneurship

  • Experience

    • University of Cape Town

      Jan 2011 - Oct 2017

      Completed a research based thesis focussed on investigating the possible use of current antihypertensive agents together with chemotherapeutics targeting breast and cervical cancer cells.

      • PhD student

        Jan 2013 - Oct 2017

      • MSc student

        Jan 2011 - Jan 2013

    • Ikamva Youth

      Jan 2013 - Mar 2023
      Volunteer

    • Titan Skills Developers

      Jan 2013 - now

      • Administrator, Projects and Marketing

        Jan 2007 - now

      • Project Manager, facilitator and assessor

        Jan 2013 - Aug 2024

    • Cherie Blair Foundation for Women

      Nov 2017 - Nov 2018
      Mentee

    • South Africa Makes

      Jan 2018 - now
      Founder and COO

    • Africa Makes Foundation

      Feb 2018 - now
      Executive Director

    • Future Females

      Mar 2018 - Dec 2018
      Durban Ambassador

      Working hard to develop the innovative entrepreneurship ecosystem in Durban, KZN and beyond. Supporting, connecting and inspiring female entrepreneurs to develop their skills and grow their businesses.

    • Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi)

      Apr 2019 - Mar 2023
      Design Thinking Facilitator and Consultant for Female Entrepreneurs

      Facilitated by business leaders and industry experts, this fully sponsored programme empowers female entrepreneurs across South Africa to future-proof their businesses for the digital economy. A wide range of topics is covered – giving the entrepreneurs a holistic framework to create their digital strategies. Through participation in the programme, the entrepreneurs also connect with networking and mentoring opportunities.

    • Graduate School of Business - University of Cape Town

      Jun 2019 - Dec 2019
      Venture-in-Residence

    • JASIRI

      Nov 2022 - Mar 2023
      Design Thinking Facilitator and Consultant for East African Entrepreneurs

      Jasiri seeks to contribute to the development of the broader East African region by selecting, developing and investing in high potential aspiring entrepreneurs at the heart of new venture creation. During the Design Thinking sessions, participants are remotely guided through idea generation, validation, prototyping, to venture creation in East Africa

  • Licenses & Certifications

  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)
      Certificate of Recognition - Harvard Graduate Council Chair of Operations Harvard University May 2025 The Harvard Graduate Council (HGC) is the university-wide student government representing all 13 Harvard graduate and professional schools. It advocates for 15,000+ graduate students, fostering cross-school collaboration, equity, and community through strategic initiatives, events, and policy engagement. The HGC amplifies student voices across Harvard, driving university-wide change in wellness, leadership, and innovation.
    • Awarded to Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)
      Represented South Africa at the G20 Startup 20 Summit 2024 South African National Department of Science and Innovation Feb 2024
    • Awarded to Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)
      Represented South Africa at BRICS Young Innovator Prize Competition 2023 South African National Department of Science and Innovation Aug 2023
    • Awarded to Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)
      Health tech Innovator for 2021 WESGRO Oct 2021 Based on the innovative projects that SOUTH AFRICA MAKES is undertaking with their clients in the region, WESGRO, the Western Cape government agency for tourism, trade and investment, has recognised Dr Cherise Dunn as a leading healthtech innovator in 2021.
    • Awarded to Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)
      Top 12 Influential Young Women to Watch Out For in South Africa Standard Bank Top Women and Topco Media Aug 2021 The 16th edition cover is a true celebration of champion women leaders in South Africa, honouring public figures who have gone the extra mile in empowering the country and future generations of young women. Many of these women have been recognised cover stars in previous editions, and are award-winning pioneers in their respective fields.
    • Awarded to Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)
      Inspiring Fifty South Africa for 2019 Cocreate SA, an initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Aug 2019 InspiringFifty is a non-profit that aims to increase diversity in tech by making female role models in tech more visible.The Inspiring Fifty initiative was established by Janneke Niessen and Joelle Frijters to spotlight the incredible women excelling in tech careers, first in the Netherlands and increasingly around the world, and prove this is an industry in which women can and do thrive against unfavourable odds. Some you will know, others you might not- but all should be on your radar… Show more InspiringFifty is a non-profit that aims to increase diversity in tech by making female role models in tech more visible.The Inspiring Fifty initiative was established by Janneke Niessen and Joelle Frijters to spotlight the incredible women excelling in tech careers, first in the Netherlands and increasingly around the world, and prove this is an industry in which women can and do thrive against unfavourable odds. Some you will know, others you might not- but all should be on your radar as kick-ass women, who are the key driving forces behind top businesses. Women that will help shape the future and realise groundbreaking innovation. Show less
    • Awarded to Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)
      Mail & Guardian 200 Young South African for 2019 Mail & Guardian June 1, 2019 The Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans is a list of individuals the Mail & Guardian considers to be the most influential 200 Young South Africans for the year.
    • Awarded to Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)
      International Visitor Leadership Program for Women in Entrepreneurship 2018 United States Department of State Dec 2018 The United States Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program is the premier professional cultural exchange program for global industry leaders. The mission of IVLP is to offer current and emerging international leaders the opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of American political, economic, social and cultural life through carefully designed exchanges that reflect participants’ professional interests and the public diplomacy objectives of the United States… Show more The United States Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program is the premier professional cultural exchange program for global industry leaders. The mission of IVLP is to offer current and emerging international leaders the opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of American political, economic, social and cultural life through carefully designed exchanges that reflect participants’ professional interests and the public diplomacy objectives of the United States government. Notable alumni include various Presidents and Prime Ministers. Show less

  • Volunteer Experience

    • Mentor

      Issued by IkamvaYouth on Jan 2013
      IkamvaYouthAssociated with Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)

    • Cape Town Representative- Cape Town & Miami

      Issued by Sister Cities International on May 2022
      Sister Cities InternationalAssociated with Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)

    • Harvard Graduate Council Chair of Operations

      Issued by Harvard University on Sept 2024
      Harvard UniversityAssociated with Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)

    • Student Leadership Council Member in AI Ventures

      Issued by Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Feb 2025
      Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyAssociated with Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)

    • Chair of External Partnerships - Public Health Innovation and Technology Club

      Issued by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health on Jan 2025
      Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthAssociated with Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)

    • Student Advisor Board, Office of Career and Professional Development

      Issued by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health on Sept 2024
      Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthAssociated with Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)

    • Student Health Insurance Advisory Committee Member

      Issued by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health on Sept 2024
      Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthAssociated with Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)

    • Volunteer

      Issued by Harvard Business Review on Mar 2024
      Harvard Business ReviewAssociated with Cherise Dunn, PhD, MPH (Harvard)