Sikhulile Moyo Explained

Sikhulile M. Moyo is a Zimbabwean virologist working as the laboratory director of the Botswana–Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership in Gaborone.^{[1] [2]} He is a research associate in immunology and infectious diseases at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. In November 2021, Moyo and his laboratory were the first to identify the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. In 2022, Moyo was listed in the Time 100 list.

Early life and education

Moyo was born in Zimbabwe.^[1] He completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Zimbabwe in 1996. He completed a master's degree in applied microbiology at the University of Botswana in 2000.^{[3] [4]} In 2006, Moyo completed a M.P.H. at the University of Limpopo (MEDUNSA-campus). His thesis was titled Modelling the HIV / AIDS in Botswana: the representativeness of the ANC based estimates of HIV prevalence in Botswana and implications for monitoring the epidemic.^[5] Moyo completed a Ph.D. in medical virology at Stellenbosch University in 2016. Tulio de Oliveira was one of his professors.^[1] His dissertation was titled Evolutionary trends and dynamics of HIV-1C in Botswana.^[6]

Career

Moyo joined the Botswana–Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership in 2003 as a lab assistant. He later became the laboratory coordinator, deputy manager, and then lab manager in 2016.^[7] As of November 2021, Moyo is the laboratory director. He is also a research associate in immunology and infectious diseases at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.^[8]

In November 2021, Moyo and his laboratory were the first to identify the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.^[9] Upon discovery, they alerted the Botswanan Ministry of Health on November 22, 2021.^[10] In 2022, Moyo was listed in the Time 100 list.^[11]

Personal life

Moyo is married and has two sons and a daughter.^[12] He is a gospel singer and composer.^[13]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Associated Press . Scientist Says Omicron Was a Group Find . VOA . 2021-12-18 . English . December 4, 2021.
2. Viana R, Moyo S, Amoako DG, Tegally H, Scheepers C, Althaus CL, Anyaneji UJ, Bester PA, Boni MF, Chand M, Choga WT, Colquhoun R, Davids M, Deforche K, Doolabh D, du Plessis L, Engelbrecht S, Everatt J, Giandhari J, Giovanetti M, Hardie D, Hill V, Hsiao NY, Iranzadeh A, Ismail A, Joseph C, Joseph R, Koopile L, Kosakovsky Pond SL, Kraemer MU, Kuate-Lere L, Laguda-Akingba O, Lesetedi-Mafoko O, Lessells RJ, Lockman S, Lucaci AG, Maharaj A, Mahlangu B, Maponga T, Mahlakwane K, Makatini Z, Marais G, Maruapula D, Masupu K, Matshaba M, Mayaphi S, Mbhele N, Mbulawa MB, Mendes A, Mlisana K, Mnguni A, Mohale T, Moir M, Moruisi K, Mosepele M, Motsatsi G, Motswaledi MS, Mphoyakgosi T, Msomi N, Mwangi PN, Naidoo Y, Ntuli N, Nyaga M, Olubayo L, Pillay S, Radibe B, Ramphal Y, Ramphal U, San JE, Scott L, Shapiro R, Singh L, Smith-Lawrence P, Stevens W, Strydom A, Subramoney K, Tebeila N, Tshiabuila D, Tsui J, van Wyk S, Weaver S, Wibmer CK, Wilkinson E, Wolter N, Zarebski AE, Zuze B, Goedhals D, Preiser W, Treurnicht F, Venter M, Williamson C, Pybus OG, Bhiman J, Glass A, Martin DP, Rambaut A, Gaseitsiwe S, von Gottberg A, de Oliveira T . 6 . Rapid epidemic expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in southern Africa . Nature . 603 . 7902 . 679–686 . March 2022 . 35042229 . 10.1038/s41586-022-04411-y . 8942855 . 2022Natur.603..679V .
3. Web site: 2016-06-16. Sikhulile Moyo. 2021-12-18. Harvard AIDS Initiative. en-us.
4. Web site: Sikhulile Moyo. 2021-12-18. The Conversation. 20 November 2017 . en.
5. Modelling the HIV / AIDS in Botswana: the representativeness of the ANC based estimates of HIV prevalence in Botswana and implications for monitoring the epidemic. 2006. Sikhulile. Moyo. M.P.H.. University of Limpopo. 190866981.
6. Web site: 2016-06-16. Sikhulile Moyo. 2021-12-18. Harvard AIDS Initiative. en-us.
7. Web site: 2016-06-16. Sikhulile Moyo. 2021-12-18. Harvard AIDS Initiative. en-us.
8. Web site: Harvard Catalyst Profiles: Sikhulile Moyo. 2021-12-18. Harvard Catalyst.
9. Web site: Kew. Janice. December 4, 2021. Omicron's speed of change worries director of Harvard lab in Botswana. 2021-12-18. The Boston Globe. en-US.
10. News: Schrieber. Melody. 2021-12-16. The scientist in Botswana who identified omicron was saddened by the world's reaction. en. NPR. 2021-12-18.
11. Nkengasong . John . John Nkengasong . May 23, 2022 . Tulio de Oliveira and Sikhulile Moyo: The 100 Most Influential People of 2022 . 2022-05-23 . Time . en.
12. Web site: 2016-06-16. Sikhulile Moyo. 2021-12-18. Harvard AIDS Initiative. en-us.
13. Web site: 2016-06-16. Sikhulile Moyo. 2021-12-18. Harvard AIDS Initiative. en-us.