Bavesh Kana

National Science and Technology Foundation -South32 Innovation Award National Science and Technology Foundation Sep 2021 This award was given to our team for using biomimicry to develop control reagents that allow for verification of molecular diagnostics for tuberculosis and Covid-19. The battle against diseases such as Covid-19 and tuberculosis requires fast and accurate mass testing. To ensure that diagnostic tests are being executed correctly, control material such as live corona virus that deliver the expected result is needed. However, these organisms are infectious and cannot be used to verify diagnostics,… Show more This award was given to our team for using biomimicry to develop control reagents that allow for verification of molecular diagnostics for tuberculosis and Covid-19. The battle against diseases such as Covid-19 and tuberculosis requires fast and accurate mass testing. To ensure that diagnostic tests are being executed correctly, control material such as live corona virus that deliver the expected result is needed. However, these organisms are infectious and cannot be used to verify diagnostics, which became a major stumbling block. We developed a suite of biomimicry-based controls where harmless bacteria were modified to include genetic elements from organisms such as SARS-CoV-2, thus mimicking them in the testing platforms. This enabled verification of Covid-19 diagnostics across South Africa and is being deployed in 34 countries. Similar products were created for tuberculosis, which are currently being used in 50 countries, many of these endemic for tuberculosis and HIV. Show less

Vice Chancellor's Innovation Award University of the Witwatersrand Oct 2019 This award introduced for the first time in 2018 to encourage and celebrate the team which excelled under the innovation pillar of the University of the Witwatersrand research strategy - the objective of which is to drive research with impact. The value of the award for 2019 is R 300 000.00 in innovation funding for the winner. Innovation is a form of impact as it aims to translate new knowledge into viable, socially and economically relevant products and services. This award celebrates an… Show more This award introduced for the first time in 2018 to encourage and celebrate the team which excelled under the innovation pillar of the University of the Witwatersrand research strategy - the objective of which is to drive research with impact. The value of the award for 2019 is R 300 000.00 in innovation funding for the winner. Innovation is a form of impact as it aims to translate new knowledge into viable, socially and economically relevant products and services. This award celebrates an innovation that has progressed to a point where there are real prospects of delivering a viable product or service. This award was given for development of technology and a spin-off company that is making an impact in tens of countries around the world. This product was built on the successful introduction of diagnostic quality controls in the form of accurately measured samples deposited on ‘spots’ on a paper card, which can be easily shipped to wherever molecular diagnostic instruments are deployed. Show less

South African Medical Research Council’s Silver Scientific Achievement Award South African Medical Research Council Aug 2018 The SAMRC annually awards silver medals to up-and-coming scientists. The silver medal acknowledges these scientists’ important research contributions made within 10 years of their having received their doctorate. Criteria for awarding silver medals include: Research contributions that impact on the health of people, especially those living in developing. Acknowledgments at national and international level for meritorious scientific contributions and/or extending medical knowledge. At least one… Show more The SAMRC annually awards silver medals to up-and-coming scientists. The silver medal acknowledges these scientists’ important research contributions made within 10 years of their having received their doctorate. Criteria for awarding silver medals include: Research contributions that impact on the health of people, especially those living in developing. Acknowledgments at national and international level for meritorious scientific contributions and/or extending medical knowledge. At least one publication in a very high impact journal or a highly cited publication Show less

Excellence in Academic Service, University of the Witwatersrand University of the Witwatersrand Nov 2017 Citation: “Exceptional Postgraduate Supervision and Mentorship Service"Professor Kana personifies an ideal teacher and mentor in the Faculty and School of Pathology with an unmatched track record of the most diverse cadre of postgraduate students and also graduating the most postgraduate students with distinctions in the School and Faculty. Since 2005 he has supervised/co-supervised 25 black postgraduate students and 12 of his postgraduate students have obtained their degrees with… Show more Citation: “Exceptional Postgraduate Supervision and Mentorship Service"Professor Kana personifies an ideal teacher and mentor in the Faculty and School of Pathology with an unmatched track record of the most diverse cadre of postgraduate students and also graduating the most postgraduate students with distinctions in the School and Faculty. Since 2005 he has supervised/co-supervised 25 black postgraduate students and 12 of his postgraduate students have obtained their degrees with distinctions. This has a direct impact on the Faculty and School goal of diversifying the academy whilst maintaining high standards of performance. Exceptional Service to Faculty and School CommitteesProfessor Kana has served and continues to be of service to the School, Faculty, the University and the NHLS in many administrative roles. In the School he is a member of the Executive Committee and the Chair of the School Transformation Committee. In the Faculty, he has been involved in many committees including the postgraduate protocol assessment and review committees, travel grant assessment and generally available to take up mentorship roles beyond his own students. In the University he has been a member of the University Research Committee and serves on a number of other strategic committees. He is held in high esteem beyond the University as indicated by the many keynote addresses he is invited to give to important stakeholders such as the South African Medical Research Council Mentorship programme and the CSIR. Show less

Faculty Honours for notable contribution to Research University of the Witwatersrand Jul 2017 Citation: In 2016, Prof. Kana was given the Wits Enterprise Innovators Award for first licencing of commercial property and products. This award was given to him for the development of quality assurance and verification reagents for tuberculosis molecular diagnostics. These reagents, which are now routinely produced by Prof. Kana, are used for tuberculosis diagnosis in over 20 countries around the world. This singular achievement has enhanced broader access to TB diagnostics thus making… Show more Citation: In 2016, Prof. Kana was given the Wits Enterprise Innovators Award for first licencing of commercial property and products. This award was given to him for the development of quality assurance and verification reagents for tuberculosis molecular diagnostics. These reagents, which are now routinely produced by Prof. Kana, are used for tuberculosis diagnosis in over 20 countries around the world. This singular achievement has enhanced broader access to TB diagnostics thus making unprecedented global impact. To market these products, Wits University as spun out a company called SmartSpot Quality. In response to changing market needs for TB diagnostics, Prof. Kana then developed a second-generation of biomimetic verification reagents which are currently undergoing field testing. For this, he was given the Wits Enterprise inventors award. Prof. Kana was also the senior author on a publication in the American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, which has an impact factor of 13 and was awarded the Faculty of Health Sciences Prize for best research in April 2017. Furthermore, Prof. Kana was awarded an MRC Capacity Development Award to the value of 2 million rands for two years.” Show less

Wits Enterprise Innovators Award for first licensing of commercial intellectual property and products Wits Enterprize Dec 2016 This award was made for licensing of intellectual property and products to a commercial venture for marketing and development.

Wits Enterprise Inventors Award for development of next-generation diagnostic Reagents Wits Enterprize Dec 2016 This award was given for development of biomimetic verification reagents for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and for detection of antimicrobial resistance.

Admitted to the Academy of Science of South Africa The Academy of Science of South Africa Dec 2015 I was elected as a Member of this Academy in recognition of significant achievements in the advancement or the application of science

CEO Titan Award for outstanding medical contribution in South Africa, the SADC region and the African Continent Celebrating Excellence in Organisations (CEO) Dec 2015 Citation: Prof. Kana is selected to receive the Titan Award from CEO Global in the Medical and Veterinary category. The Titans – Building Nations program aims to recognise influential men, who embody the spirit of excellence and have made meaningful contributions to their organisations, society and the African continent. These individuals shift the African landscape for the purpose of sustainable growth and display an unwavering commitment to the development of their nations. Prof. Kana is also… Show more Citation: Prof. Kana is selected to receive the Titan Award from CEO Global in the Medical and Veterinary category. The Titans – Building Nations program aims to recognise influential men, who embody the spirit of excellence and have made meaningful contributions to their organisations, society and the African continent. These individuals shift the African landscape for the purpose of sustainable growth and display an unwavering commitment to the development of their nations. Prof. Kana is also given the award for South Africa, the SADC region and the African continent. Show less

Selected as one of the Top 200 Young South Africans for 2012 by the Mail and Guardian The Mail and Guardian Newspaper Dec 2012 Citation: Dr. Kana was included in the Mail and Guardian’s list of top 200 young South Africans for 2012. Every year, the Mail and Guardian publishes a feature of young South Africans who are expected to change the country and play a key leadership role. Dr. Kana was included in this list to recognise the high impact of his work and the important role that his research will play in positively affecting the health of many South Africans with tuberculosis disease

Appointed as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute International Early Career Scientist The Howard Hughes Medical Institute Jan 2012 Citation: At the beginning of 2012, Dr. Kana was appointed as an Early Career Scientist of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute after a fiercely competitive process which involved almost 800 applicants worldwide. Dr. Kana is one of only 26 scientists from around the world to receive the prestigious award and represents one of only two awards made in Africa. The award is made to young scientists who embody the spirit of innovative and pioneering scientific research. It comes with a R 6 million… Show more Citation: At the beginning of 2012, Dr. Kana was appointed as an Early Career Scientist of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute after a fiercely competitive process which involved almost 800 applicants worldwide. Dr. Kana is one of only 26 scientists from around the world to receive the prestigious award and represents one of only two awards made in Africa. The award is made to young scientists who embody the spirit of innovative and pioneering scientific research. It comes with a R 6 million grant, over the period of five years Show less