Dr Nqobile Jaca, has been appointed the Manager of the Biomedical Research Unit (BRU) in the School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences.
The BRU is one of the largest laboratory animal facilities in Southern Africa. Located on the north-western side of the Westville campus, it comprises three floors and over 7 000 sq. of space. The facility was primarily designed to breed and house a variety of experimental animals. Its objective is to meet the scientific needs of teachers and researchers in the area of biomedical sciences across the eastern seaboard of South Africa.
Jaca has a wealth of experience, having served the Department of Agriculture in Ermelo as a state veterinarian for a year and Ceva Animal Health (a leading pharmaceutical company) as a poultry veterinarian for three years.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Pretoria in 2015. Her long-term goals include making the BRU more attractive to younger professionals in this field and introducing a diagnostics field, which would enable the unit to generate its own funds. Jaca would also like to design a lab science curriculum for veterinary professionals, which will increase the unit’s visibility in the profession and beyond.
The 30-year old Durban-born veterinarian is happy to return to her hometown and be close to her family.
Words: Lihle Sosibo
