Scientific Merit Award for UKZN’s First Black Female Medical School Dean

Scientific Merit Award for UKZN’s First Black Female Medical School Dean

The first Black woman Dean in the 75-year history of UKZN’s Medical School, Professor Ncoza Dlova, is the recipient of the Gold Medal Scientific Merit Award from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC).

Dlova, also the Head of the University’s Dermatology Discipline and an NRF “B”-rated researcher, said it was a privilege and an honour to receive the award for her research which is recognised by her peers both locally and internationally and is grateful to the patients and colleagues for their contribution.

The award was in recognition of her sterling contribution to research, teaching and learning, and exemplary leadership, motivating staff and students within the School of Clinical Medicine (SCM) – which she previously headed – to uphold the UKZN value of excellence before, during and beyond her tenure as the SCM Dean.

Dlova has received many accolades, including awards for the Best Dean Leader in the College of Health Sciences in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

She is a well-published dermatologist being the author of more than 135 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals. Her research interests and expertise are in the areas of pigmentation and hair disorders as well as HIV and skin issues, while she also has an interest in global health and medical education. Dlova has contributed more than 15 chapters in international dermatology textbooks and is a co-author of two dermatology books about Black skin.

She has successfully supervised, mentored and trained more than 40 dermatologists, supervised numerous master’s students and is currently supervising five PhD candidates, contributing significantly to the transformation of dermatology in South Africa.

Dlova supports several community initiatives and helps to educate South Africans about skin and hair conditions through outreach programmes and sharing her research findings with the public. She is a member of numerous international dermatology boards and societies including Global Psoriasis Atlas, International Eczema Society, Skin of Color Society in the USA, African Hair and International Hair Groups. She has been a guest speaker in more than 50 countries.

She is a member of the prestigious American Dermatology Association (ADA) and a recipient of the 2019 Maria Duran award from the International Society of Dermatology (ISD).

Dlova represents Africa as a Member of the board of the International League of the Dermatology Society (ILDS), the largest body of dermatology societies in the world, and is the first fully appointed African representative in the society’s 86-year history.

In her quest to support the Medical students, she established the Ncoza Dlova Medical Student Fund to assist with historic debt.

Reflecting on being appointed Medical School Dean, she said: ‘It was both challenging and exciting in being able to impact positive change in terms of creating unity and a team that shares the same vision and goals.

‘Being a dean leaves limited time for research and also involves having to juggle personal and family life. However, I was lucky to be able to receive the NRF B rating and the Gold Scientific Award during my tenure as a dean, as I tried to push research during my private time.

‘It is important to know when to go and also important to have a plan B. As Director of the Kenyan School of Law Patrick Lumumba once said: “Time limits are good things; no matter how good a dancer you are, you must leave the stage”. I’ll continue to serve in a supportive role, complete the projects we started and continue to interact with the students – an aspect of my academic role I thoroughly enjoy and cherish,’ added Dlova.

Watch the SAMRC’s video profile of Dlova here.

Words: Lunga Innocent Memela
Photograph: Supplied