Dr Bawinile Hadebe, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) senior lecturer and head of the Nuclear Medicine Clinical Unit at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) in Durban, received the Saul Hertz Young Investigator Award at the 8th Theranostic World Conference in Cape Town.
This prestigious recognition celebrates early and mid-career researchers who have made significant contributions to theranostics in South Africa. A combination of the words ‘therapeutic’ and ‘diagnostic’, theranostics has emerged as a groundbreaking and powerful tool in the fight against cancer.
Hadebe’s award was in recognition of her PhD work in CXCR4-targeted imaging, and for her contribution in Ac-225 PSMA and Ac-225 DOTATATE therapies for prostate and neuroendocrine tumours under the guidance of her supervisor and Head of the Nuclear Medicine Discipline, Professor Mariza Vorster.
Reflecting on the honour, Hadebe said: “I am deeply honoured to receive an award bearing the name of Dr Saul Hertz – the father of theranostics. His pioneering work with radioactive iodine in 1941 laid the foundation for radiotheranostics, which this year celebrates its 85th anniversary.”
