 Prof. Angela
Mathee PhD
Director: Environment & Health Research Unit;
Director: World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Urban Health
Location: Johannesburg (Broll Place)
E-mail: amathee@mrc.ac.za
Angela Mathee currently heads the Medical Research Council's Environment & Health Research Unit and is also Director of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Urban Health. She is a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg and an Associate lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand. She has a PhD from the School of Public Health (University of the Witwatersrand) and an MSc degree in Environmental Epidemiology & Policy from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Her main research interests are exposure to lead amongst South African children and urban housing and health. For her research on lead poisoning in South African children, Prof. Mathee won the 2007 Health Category of the Shoprite-Checkers/SABC2 Woman of the Year competition.
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| Research Scientists |
 Professor Lesley Bourne PhD
Location: Cape Town
E-mail: lbourne@mrc.ac.za
Lesley Bourne currently holds the position of Specialist Scientist in the Environment & Health Research Unit. She is a dietician with qualifications from Natal and Stellenbosch Universities as well as additional qualifications in Public Health from UCT. She has a special interest in the welfare of low income groups, and has a “hands on “ community based background in public health. Her current research foci include the health implications of shifts in diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle related issues in low income groups in South Africa and other lesser developed countries (ie the “Nutrition Transition”), the implementation of health and health related policies in South Africa, and various aspects of health promotion. This includes a new focus on HIV/AIDS and Nutrition and HIV/AIDS and Development. Additionally Dr Bourne chairs the Work Group for the development of Paediatric Food Based Dietary Guidelines for South Africa. She has authored and co-authored over 40 articles in peer reviewed journals and has presented many papers both locally and internationally.
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 Prof Halina Röllin PhD
Location: Johannesburg (Broll Place)
E-mail: halina.rollin@mrc.ac.za
Professor Halina Röllin is a Senior Specialist Scientist at the Environment and Health Research Unit. She graduated with an MSc degree in chemistry from the Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland and later obtained her PhD from the Faculty of Science of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. She is an Extraordinary Professor at the School of Health Systems and Public Health at the University of Pretoria. Professor Röllin has authored and co-authored more than 50 scientific publications including 4 book chapters, and has lectured extensively at national and international scientific symposia and conferences. She is a member of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology, The Toxicology Society of South Africa, South African Spectroscopic Society and Public Health Association of South Africa. Prof Röllin is best known for her research on toxicology of metals and their role in human health and disease both in environmental and occupational settings. At present she is involved in multidisciplinary international research projects on the effects of persistent toxic substances present in living environment on the maternal health and birth outcomes in South Africa and elsewhere.
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 Dr Nisha Naicker MBBCh, FCPHM, MMed (Community Health)
Location: Johannesburg (Broll Place)
E-mail: nisha.naicker@mrc.ac.za
Dr Nisha Naicker is a Senior Scientist with the Environment and Health Research Unit. She manages the Health, Environment and Development (HEAD) study, which is a study of inequity in health and living conditions in selected Johannesburg areas. Dr Naicker is currently studying the role of lead poisoning in maladjusted behaviour (violence and agression) in the Birth-to-Twenty cohort.
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 Palesa Nkomo MSc (Med) Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Location: Johannesburg (Broll Place)
E-mail: pnkomo@mrc.ac.za
Palesa Nkomo is a Scientist with the Environment and Health Research Unit. She holds a B.S. degree with a major in Biology from the University of Kentucky (USA), and a Master of Science in Medicine in the field of Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of the Witwatersrand. Palesa is undertaking a PhD, on the association between lead poisoning and violent criminal behaviour (homicide) in South Africa. She also has an interest in manganese toxicity.
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 Joy Oba MSc. (Med), MPH
Location: Johannesburg (Broll Place)
E-mail: joba@mrc.ac.za
Joy Oba is a Senior Scientist with the Environment and Health Research Unit. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health specializing in Health policy and management as well as an MSc (Med) in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. She is undertaking a PhD on climate change (global warming) focusing on the health impacts of heat on outdoor formal sector workers due to climate change in South Africa. She also has a keen interest in the use of Hookahs (Hubbly Bubbly) among the young population of South Africa.
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 Tshepo Mahuma MA Anthropology (Medical)
Location: Johannesburg (Broll Place)
E-mail: tshepo.mahuma@mrc.ac.za
Tshepo Mahuma is a Senior Scientist with the Environment and Health Research Unit. She holds a Master’s degree in Anthropology specializing in Medical Anthropology from the University of Johannesburg. She is interested in community health with a focus on community perceptions of health. Tshepo is planning to undertake a PhD on indoor thermal heat stress in residential houses. She also has an interest in health issues associated with nutrition and water.
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 Dr Tahira Kootbodien, MBChB
Location: Johannesburg, Broll Place
E-mail: Tahira.Kootbodien@mrc.ac.za
Dr Tahira Kootbodien is a Senior Scientist with the Environmental Health and Research Unit. She will be graduating with a Masters in Public Health from University of Cape Town. Dr Kootbodien is planning to undertake a PhD on the community health implications of radon exposure near mine dumps. She will also be involved in the Health, Environment and Development (HEAD) study.
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| Administration |
 Mirriam Mogotsi
Location: Johannesburg (Broll Place)
E-mail: mirriam.mogotsi@mrc.ac.za
Mirriam Mogotsi is currently a Research Technologist with the
Environment and Health Office of the Environment & Health Research Unit. She is currently studying a BA degree in Community Development
with the University of South Africa.She is extensively involved in a
number of studies within the group. Her duties include organization of
fieldwork, sample preparation, data capturing and literature sourcing.
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 Sheillah Ndlovu
Location: Johannesburg (Broll Place)
E-mail: sheila.ndlovu@mrc.ac.za
Sheillah Ndlovu provides ad hoc hygiene and administrative assistance within the E&HRU. She has obtained an Office Assistant Certificate with Boston Business College.
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 Felicia Mpiti
Location: Johannesburg (Broll Place)
E-mail: felicia.mpiti@mrc.ac.za
Felicia Mpiti oversees all aspects of the administration of the Environment and Health Research Unit, as well as the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Urban Health. She is currently studying towards a BCom degree (Management) with the University of South Africa.
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