Cindy George
Fighting against chronic kidney disease
Cindy George was intrigued, when she was growing up, by how things work, particularly the human body. Her inspiration to study biological science started at high school during biology classes, and this would deepen later at university where she was exposed to intricacies of cellular processes and genetics.
Igniting my passion
A turning point came during one of her biology classes when they were introduced to the cardiovascular system. “The detailed explanation by my teacher, coupled with graphical representation of the heart, ignited my passion for understanding living organisms. These experiences, combined with my innate curiosity about the world, inspired me to delve deeper into the biological sciences, aiming to contribute to advancements in medicine,” says George. Currently, George is a specialist scientist at the Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), and she is the Group Lead for the Kidney Diseases Research Programme.
Novel markers of CKD
Her research focuses on characterising the burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Africa and examining the risk factors and underlying mechanisms associated with CKD in African populations. “More recently I have focused my attention on novel markers of CKD, including genetic-related markers,” she says, adding that research in this area is vital as it affects over 840 million people worldwide with most cases being in low-to-middle income countries, most of which are in Africa.
George’s responsibility includes managing the CKD-Africa Collaboration – a network of researchers conducting research related to kidney function and disease in Africa. She also designs and conducts new research activities to fill major gaps related to CKD in Africa and globally; sources funding both locally and internationally for the projects, supervises students and mentor post-doctoral fellows and junior staff, and publishes her research.
Preventative strategies
Says George: “The opportunity to uncover new insights into the mechanisms and progression of CKD is incredibly fulfilling, as it holds the potential to develop more effective treatments and preventive strategies,” says George. She enjoys the collaborative nature of scientific research as it enables her to interact with a diverse team of experts, fostering an environment of continuous learning and innovation. She also finds satisfaction in mentoring and training the next generation of scientists. Seeing the mentees grow and succeed in their careers is immensely gratifying, George notes.
Achievements and accolades
One of her recent achievements was being awarded the prestigious Africa-Oxford fellowship – a programme designed to allow exceptional African researchers to build international networks and focus on a project of their choice in collaboration with Oxford-based scholars. She says through mentoring and training young scientists, she is able to pass on her knowledge and skills thereby inspiring the next generation of researchers to continue the fight against CKD. By collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and integrating cutting-edge technologies into her research, adds George, she can drive innovations that improve healthcare delivery and patient care for CKD.
Challenges faced by women
She says as a woman of colour she has faced several challenges within the STEM field. “I’ve encountered situations where my contributions were under-valued or overlooked in favour of either my white colleagues or my male colleagues,” shares George. She says women are often under-represented in leadership positions, key decision-making roles, and prestigious awards. “This lack of visibility hinders career progression and limit influence within the field. Persistent gender biases and stereotypes often lead to women being undervalued and our contributions being overlooked,” George points out. She says these challenges can be tackled by creating a more equitable and supportive environment that enables women to thrive in STEM fields.
Evolution of women’s role in 30 years’ time
Asked how she thinks the role of women in STEM will evolve over the next thirty years, George says the future is bright. This is because of the ongoing efforts to promote gender equality, technological advancements, and societal changes. “I see an increased representation of women in STEM and increased women in leadership positions. I see more women leading ground-breaking innovative research,” she opines.
Tips for young girls
Her advice to young women aspiring to enter the STEM field is that: “your enthusiasm for your work will drive you through challenges and setbacks”.
- Identify and connect with mentors and role models who can provide guidance, support, and advice.
- Focus on gaining a solid educational foundation.
- Participate in research projects as early as possible.
- Stay persistent and resilient and learn from each failure or setback.
- Stay curious, keep learning, and be open to new ideas and methodologies.
Why Women’s Month is important
She believes in the significance of Women’s Month because it provides an opportunity to honour and celebrate the achievements of women in various fields, bringing to light the invaluable contributions of women to society, which are often overlooked or undervalued. “The celebration raises awareness about the importance of gender equality and the need to address disparities that women face in different areas of life. It provides encouragement to women to continue striving for excellence and breaking barriers in their respective fields,” George observes.
Links to George’s work or publications:
