Vol 1 - Support Services Ufs Ac Za - University of the Free State

leukaemia and to test new anti-cancer drugs. DrNerina van der Merwe of the Department ofGenetics studies the genetic defects responsible forhereditary cancer of the breast and ovaries. DrFrederik du Plessis and co-workers from theDepartment of Medical Physics are performingpioneering research in the field of cancer radiation.Prof Vernon Louw of the Department of ClinicalHaematology and Prof Louis Goedhals from theDepartment of Oncotherapy are actively involved incontract research in which the most recent andotherwise unaffordable cancer medication is beingmade accessible to local patients.Thrombosis with all its complications is anotherserious health concern. Prof Muriel Meiring and coworkersfrom the Department of Haematology andCell Biology concentrate on the development ofnew antithrombotic agents. They have alsodeveloped thrombotic models, for which there is abig international demand to test the efficacy ofnew antithrombotic agents.Assuring the Health of All in the Free State(AHA-FS) is a research project aimed at determininghow living in urban informal settlements and inrural areas influences the lifestyle of populationsthat predisposes them to both chronic diseases andunder-nutrition. This research is jointly undertakenby the Departments of Chemical Pathology, HumanNutrition, Biostatistics and Basic Medical Sciences.A very high prevalence of lifestyle diseases such asdiabetes, hypertension and infections such as HIVand tuberculosis have been encountered.Researchers from the Department of MedicalMicrobiology and Virology focus mainly oninvestigating tuberculosis and tick-borne diseases.School of NursingThe Research Initiatives Portfolio in the School ofNursing focuses on research programmes, projectsand initiatives that are considered instrumental inenhancing quality nursing care, the expansion ofnursing science, intellectual growth and partnershipbuilding. Within this framework, the following areconsidered critical:• The enhancement of the social and scientificvalue of research initiatives – in clud ing theresponsible use of finite resources and theavoidance of exploita tion.• The strengthening of methodological rigour inthe use of accepted scientific prin cip les andmethods to produce reliable and valid results.• The upholding of beneficence, non-malfeasanceand non-exploitation to minimise risks whileenhancing potential benefits.• The review of research proposals by theinstitutional review boards to ensure publicaccountability while minimising the influenceof potential conflicts of interest.• Respect of participant autonomy, confidentialityand the use of informed consent as part ofethicality.• Collaborative partnerships to ensure social andscientific value.• The development and involvement of nurseresearchers within the School, the University92