Distinguished pulmonologist and academic Professor Rubeshan Perumal has been honoured with the 2024 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence at UKZN.
This prestigious accolade recognises Perumal’s exceptional contributions to research and his sustained record of innovation and academic excellence, particularly in the fields of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV.
Aged just 37, he holds multiple prestigious roles, including Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Consultant Pulmonologist in the Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, and Head of TB/HIV Treatment Research at the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA). His internationally acclaimed work addresses critical challenges in TB and HIV care, with a particular focus on optimising treatments for drug-resistant TB, one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide.
A clinician-scientist with an impressive academic history, Perumal holds multiple degrees, including an MBChB, MMed (Internal Medicine), MPhil (Pulmonology), MPH (Public Health), and a PhD in Medicine, alongside specialised certifications in Pulmonology and Critical Care. Perumal was one of the only students to be granted permission to undertake an MPH concurrently with his Medical degree. His doctoral research, which focused on pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic optimisation of TB treatment, underscores his dedication to advancing patient outcomes through scientific rigor.
Perumal’s scientific journey began in 2005, during his first year at Medical School, when he joined CAPRISA as a research placement. ‘From very early on, I felt inspired to maintain an unflinching focus on saving the lives of people living with HIV and TB, especially those with drug-resistant forms of the disease who face the highest risk of death.
A curable infectious disease, TB kills over 1.5 million people each year, and a substantial amount of work remains to be done to turn the tide on this ancient, relentless scourge. ‘My early career mentorship by Professor Salim Abdool Karim, Professor Kogie Naidoo, Professor Nesri Padayatchi, Professor Bilkish Cassim, and Professor Keertan Dheda has been instrumental in preparing me for a life dedicated to reducing human suffering through impactful TB/HIV research,’ said Perumal. ‘Their examples have been a constant reminder of what can be achieved through pioneering and rigorous science combined with a deeply personal commitment to solving the most pressing problems threatening human health. I hope to pay this forward through my own mentorship activities to ensure that we have a diverse and talented pipeline of next-generation scholars equipped to tackle the complex challenges facing our country and the world.’
Perumal has published more than 70 high-impact peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals such as The Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine, and Lancet Infectious Diseases. He is also a frequent speaker at national and international conferences, where his work has garnered widespread recognition. As a principal investigator or co-investigator on more than 10 clinical trials, his efforts continue to shape the future of TB and HIV treatment and care.
In addition to his academic and research contributions, Perumal plays a pivotal role in medical education, co-ordinating undergraduate training in Internal Medicine and mentoring postgraduate and doctoral students. His commitment to fostering the next generation of clinician-scientists ensures that his legacy of excellence and innovation will endure.
Beyond his academic and clinical pursuits, Perumal is actively involved in national and international advisory roles, including serving on the KwaZulu-Natal Drug-Resistant TB Advisory Group, the National TB Think Tank, and the Long COVID Task Force of the Global Virus Network. His leadership and expertise have been recognised through numerous accolades, including the GVN Action Award, which celebrated his contributions to understanding and managing Long COVID.
Reflecting on his journey, Perumal acknowledged the profound influence of his mentors and his late father, Professor Ronnie Perumal, whose commitment to scholarship and public service inspired his path. ‘My father exemplified a life of service to scholarship and human progress. All that I hope to be is inspired by his selfless career and his courageous pursuit of advancement for the disadvantaged and underserved,’ he said.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UKZN’s College of Health Sciences Professor Busisiwe Ncama praised his achievements, describing him as a role model for aspiring clinician-scientists and an exemplar of academic, clinical, and scientific excellence.
Receiving the Vice-Chancellor’s Award is a testament to Perumal’s unwavering dedication to research and public health. Reflecting on his career, he said he was grateful for the opportunity to balance the scientific rigor of his work with the art of caring for patients. ‘Life as a clinician-scientist straddles the poetic intersection between the austerity of scientific empiricism and the artistry inherent in caring for people in their most desperate state of illness. I feel deeply blessed,’ he said.
Perumal’s ground-breaking contributions to TB and HIV research and his commitment to education and mentorship continue to make a profound impact on healthcare in South Africa and beyond.
Words: MaryAnn Francis