Science Engagements

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SCIENCE & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS

2024

  1. #MILLION COMFORTS initiative: The LRC is committed to participate in the #MILLION COMFORTS initiative, that aims to provide sanitary pads to teenage girls in need. The collected pads are delivered to a collection station at any Dischem for distribution.
  2. LRC HOPE IN A JAR INITIATIVE. The LRC is preparing #JARS of HOPE for those in need in the community. The initiative aims to provide a belly warming soup that can feed up to 4 people. The food jars will be distributed to nearby shelters in the Doornfontein area.
  3. RIVERLEACOMMUNITY OUTREACH: The Laser Research Centre (LRC) actively engages in an annual community outreach program at Riverlea village in September-October, collaborating with the Environmental Health department at the University of Johannesburg’s Doornfontein Campus.
  4. MANDELA DAY: Annual LRC Mandela Day Community Service. The Laser Research Centre (LRC) actively engages in Mandela Day initiatives, collaborating with the University of Johannesburg’s Doornfontein Campus and contributing 67 minutes of service annually to address community needs. LRC visited the Charlotte Maxeke hospital to lend a helping hand to the sick, others participated in the walk and run donation drive.
  5. PUBLIC LECTURE: The Laser Research Centre hosted a public lecture, on the 30th of May 2024, titled Photodynamic Action: From Cancer treatment to breaking down the resistance to antibiotics and treating infections Presented by Prof Vanderlei S. Bagnato from IFSC – University of São Paulo – Brazil / BME – Texas A&M University – Texas – USA

 

2023

  1. PUBLIC LECTURE: The Laser Research Centre hosted a public lecture titled Translational aspect related to PDT treatment planning, Presented by Prof Lothar Lilge from the University of Toronto, Canada
  2. #MILLION COMFORTS initiative: The LRC is committed to participate in the #MILLION COMFORTS initiative, that aims to provide sanitary pads to teenage girls in need. The collected pads are delivered to a collection station at any Dischem for distribution.
  3. LRC HOPE IN A JAR INITIATIVE. The LRC is preparing #JARS of HOPE for those in need in the community. The initiative aims to provide a belly warming soup that can feed up to 4 people. The food jars will be distributed to nearby shelters in the Doornfontein area.
  4. RIVERLEACOMMUNITY OUTREACH: The Laser Research Centre (LRC) actively engages in an annual community outreach program at Riverlea village in September-October, collaborating with the Environmental Health department at the University of Johannesburg’s Doornfontein Campus. During the visit to the Riverlea Village Clinic and Children’s Home, LRC staff and postgraduate students provided assistance in hand hygiene techniques, food safety, and recycling processes. These efforts, emphasizing responsible waste management, workplace safety, personal hygiene, and the well-being of individuals, align with Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Good Health and Wellbeing, showcasing ongoing commitment to the Riverlea village community. As part of their dedication to the community, the LRC also donated hand washing liquid soap, soap bars, and white vinegar for cleaning vegetables and fruits to the clinic and children’s home.
  5. MANDELA DAY: Annual LRC Mandela Day Community Service. The Laser Research Centre (LRC) actively engages in Mandela Day initiatives, collaborating with the University of Johannesburg’s Doornfontein Campus and contributing 67 minutes of service annually to address community needs. During a recent visit to the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, LRC staff and postgraduate students undertook tasks such as cleaning the hospital grounds and organizing storage for the pediatric unit. Despite the small scale, these efforts have wider positive implications, promoting responsible resource management, workplace safety, and contributing to the well-being of the pediatric unit, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals at the community level.
  6. UJ Metropolitan Academy Learners Visit to UJ FHS: Grade 11 and Grade 12 Tour of DFC; Visit to LRC laboratory, Talk on
    • What is Laser Research?
    • Which fields are applicable to undergrad study?
    • What are some of the areas of specialization?
    • In which industries can the skills obtained be utilized?
  7. SCHOOL VISIT: UJ Metropolitan Academy Schools Engagement Partnership – Educational Talk and Demonstration.
    Grades: 8-12 Quintile Category: 3 and above.

2022

  1. LRC PBM SYMPOSIUM: PHOTOBIOMODULATION – TRENDS IN DISEASE MANAGEMENT. The LRC hosted and presented an international symposium on PBM. Featuring a number of renowned speakers. Photobiomodulation research for wound healing, pain management, and regenerative medicine was discussed. https://zoom.us/j/93377706366
  2. PUBLIC LECTURE: The Laser Research Centre hosted a public lecture titled Novel Non-Conventional Cell Death Induction to Overcome Multidrug Resistance, Presented by Prof Amit Tiwari from the University of Toledo, USA. https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XjeAg9cpS8a5eeeq9uFOdA
  3. 2022 RIVERLEA VILLAGE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECT: Hand-washing awareness campaign. The UJ Environmental Health Department in collaboration with the Laser Research Centre participated in the Riverlea community initiative. The Hand-washing awareness campaign at the Riverlea Clinic, Old Age Home and Primary School focused on assisting with Improper/inadequate handwashing which can lead to the spread of diseases and viruses. LRC staff and postgraduates donated soaps and hand cleaners and introduced proper hand washing techniques.
    The LRC is committed to participate in the #MILLION COMFORTS initiative, that aims to provide sanitary pads to teenage girls in need. The collected pads are delivered to a collection station at any Dischem for distribution.
  4. LRC Hope in a Jar Initiative. The LRC is preparing #JARS of HOPE for those in need in the community. The initiative aims to provide a belly warming soup that can feed up to 4 people. The food jars will be distributed to nearby shelters in the Doornfontein area.
  5. BROADCAST: Prof Abrahamse, Dr Crous and two doctoral students was interviewed by UJFM 95.2. They shared information on the LRC and its research, status, community activities and admission. UJFM 95.4 is a Community Radio Station, based at the University of Johannesburg. The target audience for listeners are aged between 16 – 28 and Living Standards Measure groups 6 – 10.
    Mandela Day community outreach programme. LRC in collaboration with the UJ Community engagement department participated in a donation drive. in commitment to society in support of disadvantaged individuals and families. LRC staff and students donated child learning materials including Legos, non-perishable food items and toiletry packs and items for shelters.
  6. WEBINAR: FHS Postgraduate Virtual Open week. The LRC presented at the FHS open week for research and internationalisation. In order to distribute information on research activities at the UJ FHS LRC
  7. SOCIAL MEDIA: Mr Alexander Chota and Prof Blassan George was interviewed by the UJ media where Alex spoke about his success story as a postgraduate at the LRC and Prof Blassan spoke in the supervision at the LRC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXdL02yO68g. Alex introduced the project on the use of an African medicinal plant Dicoma anomala for use as a potential breast and lung cancer treatment.
  8. Sweethearts Foundation initiative. Collection of Bottle Tops and Bread Tags for the Sweethearts Foundation to contribute to a wheelchair donation for the disadvantaged.
  9. Meals on Wheels initiative. Reusable Clean Container Collection to assist in hot meal packaging for the less fortunate.
  10. UJ Feral Cat Feeding Initiative whereby cat food can be donated to feed the feral cats on DFC campus.

2021

  1. BROADCAST: Prof Abrahamse, Dr Crous and Ms Jansen van Rensburg was interviewed for a global news release article via EurekAlert (twitter, facebook, LinkedIn). Eurekalert distributed the research findings conducted at the LRC as sources of scientific news. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/932555
  2. BROADCAST: UJ postgrad awareness: Title: UJ Postgraduate School Presents: The Postdoctoral Fellows at UJ About: Video shoot on a 2 mins bio on the Laser Research Centre & Intro to Dr Crous & Aniogo given by Prof Abrahamse; 5 mins each Dr Crous & Aniogo – PDRF Experience & Research work Date: LINK: https://youtu.be/njifFkFzFM4
  3. Dr Anine Crous gave an online guest lecture at the Vellore Institute Of Technology, India, School Of Bio Sciences And Technology on stem cells with the presentation titled “Improving stem cell differentiation using near-infrared and green irradiation.” To a classroom of 20 students
  4. Dr Anine Crous presented a cancer awareness talk to Legal Aid South Africa where the general public was supplied with information on cancer treatment and diagnosis as well as research conducted at the LRC.
  5. XXV Saratov Fall Meeting 2021 – BRICS Workshop on Biophotonics-2021 https://sfmconference.org Prof Abrahamse co-chaired the 2 meetings as South African representative.
  6. Launch of a new OPTICA Student chapter at LRC University of Johannesburg as part of the OSA-SA Photonics Conference, Stellenbosch
  7. ONLINE PUBLIC LECTURE: presented by Professor Chukuka S Enwemeka, Director of Photomedicine Research Lab, College of Health and Human Services, San Diego State University and Visiting Professor of the LRC. Entitled “Microbial Disinfection with Pulsed Blue Light”.
  8. Collection of Bottle Tops and Bread Tags for the Sweethearts Foundation to contribute to a wheelchair donation for the disadvantaged.
  9. Meals on Wheels Reusable Clean Container Collection to assist in hot meal packaging for the less fortunate.
  10. UJ Feral Cat Feeding Initiative whereby cat food can be donated to feed the feral cats on DFC campus.

2020

  1. Collection of Bottle Tops and Bread Tags for the Sweethearts Foundation to contribute to a wheelchair donation for the disadvantaged.
  2. Meals on Wheels Reusable Clean Container Collection to assist in hot meal packaging for the less fortunate.
  3. UJ Feral Cat Feeding Initiative whereby cat food can be donated to feed the feral cats on DFC campus.

2019

  1. SYMPOSIUM: LRC hosted an international symposium on Biophotonics in Cancer: Redefining Trends in Cancer Therapy, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
  2. SYMPOSIUM: LRC hosted an international symposium on Biophotonics in Cancer: Redefining Trends in Cancer Therapy, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
  3. PUBLIC LECTURE: LRC hosted a Public Lecture: Prof Luis Arnaut, University of Coimbra, Portugal, Photodynamic Therapy: a contribution to sustainable, high-quality healthcare systems
  4. Community outreach programme as part of Mandela Day Celebrations, Visited the Salvation Army Emmarentia Eventide Home, 113 Komatie Road, Emmarentia and supported the elderly with a care pack

2018

  1. Community outreach programme as part of Mandela Day Celebrations, Visited the Salvation Army Emmarentia Eventide Home, 113 Komatie Road, Emmarentia and supported the elderly with a care pack
  2. BROADCAST: Womanity – Women in unity (Radio) discussion – Director Laser Research Centre University of Johannesburg: Professor Heidi Abrahamse. https://omny.fm/shows/womanity-women-in-unity/director-laser-research-centre-university-of-johan
  3. WORKSHOP: The LRC hosted a workshop on: Laser Tissue Interaction and Laser Imaging

2017

  1. SEMINAR: The LRC hosted a Faculty Lecture: presented by Prof Thangaraj from the Bharathiar University in India, on Bioprospecting of medicinal plants for human welfare, University of Johannesburg
  2. Community outreach programme as part of Mandela Day Celebrations, visited the Johannesburg Children’s Home, 59 Urania St, Observatory and distributed children care packs
  3. The UJ Future Walk, The University had raised a total of R147 million for the ‘missing middle’ students with a fundraising dinner on Friday 19th and the UJ Future Walk on Saturday morning

2016

  1. WORKSHOP: The LRC hosted a training course on “Laser Therapy Photobiomodulation Training Course 2016” presented by Mr. James Carroll (CEO Thor Lasers, UK).
  2. PUBLIC LECTURE: The LRC hosted a public lecture entitled “Can all diseases be treated with light?” was presented by Prof Michael Hamblin (Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA), a distinguished visiting professor to the LRC.
  3. UJ Culture Compass, Culture, DFC JOB 5222. Transformation Unit
  4. Community outreach programme Nelson Mandela community engagement programme with University of Johannesburg volunteered time to paint the audiology unit at Johannesburg General Hospital

2015

  1. BROADCAST: Media press (video) release: Using light as medication. SABC Digital News. Aired on the 10th November 2015 on DSTV 404, the extension of Morning Live. Prof H. Abrahamse and Dr N. Houreld https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS41z_OekYE
  2. BROADCAST: Media press (video) release: Aired on Joburgtoday.tv on 7 April 2015 Prof H. Abrahamse and Dr N. Houreld. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDuc9oJWU-o
    Community outreach programme Nelson Mandela community engagement programme The LRC collected funding and consumables for the animal shelter FORA (Friends of Rescued Animals) and visited and assisted the shelter for a day.
  3. WORKSHOP: LRC hosted an international workshop Mechanisms, Applications and Clinical Training in Photobiomodulation, University of Johannesburg, South Africa,

2014
1. GIBS/UJ Executive Leadership Development Program, Gibs; Hong Kong Singapore; UJ
2. Master’s proposal writing workshop, APK, UJ
3. Seminar on phenotype microarrays, Wits University, Johannesburg
4. Writing the literature review: Finding a place for yourself, APK, UJ
5. 2nd UJ Young African Forum, APK, UJ
6. Approaches to research writing for M and D students’ workshop, APK, UJ
7. BD Accuri Flow Cytometry Training, DFC, UJ
8. DHET Council Workshop, APK, UJ
9. UJ PG Symposium, APB, UJ
10. NAALT/WALT Preconference Workshop, Washington, USA
11. NRF Rating Workshop, APK, UJ
12. DST Advanced Photonics Technology Roadmap Project, CSIR, Pretoria
13. Leadership Maturity Framework Workshop – The MAP, The View, UJ

2013
1. NRF Rental Pool Users Meeting, University of Pretoria
2. Learning from feedback from Assessors of Dissertations
3. Merck Safety Course, APK, UJ
4. Tutor Training, APK, UJ
5. Academic Writing, APK, UJ
6. Editing your research writing, APK, UJ
7. SAPnet training, DFC, UJ
8. African Women in STEM Convention, Hackelbrooke, Johannesburg
9. Biophysics Winter School, SAIP, Durban
10. Solutions for the molecular analysis of disease on a pathway level, Whitehead Scientific, APK, UJ
11. Active Learning: Sharing Practice Workshop, PASD, APK, UJ
12. Symposium for LLLT, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Science, St Petersburg, Russia
13. Advance School on Synchrotron radiation and nanotechnology, ITHEMBA LABS, (Cape Town)
14. Dept of Sport Science, Research Day, APB, UJ
15. Postgraduate Symposium, STH, APB, UJ

2012
1. Advanced Academic writing skills, UJ
2. Research in a Nutshell, UJ
3. Master’s Dissertation & Proposal, UJ
4. Editing your own Thesis, UJ
5. First Aid level 1 training, UJ
6. Academic Writing, UJ
7. Editing your Writing, UJ
8. Merck Safety seminar, UJ
9. Writing successful proposal paper and dissertations, UJ
10. Biophotonics Summer School, University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign, US
11. SigmaPlot Workshop, UJ
12. International Laser Medical Workshop, Croatia

2011
1. Lasers/Optics Lecture Series, Pretoria
2. Merck Laboratory Safety Seminar, Johannesburg
3. UJ Edulink Overview, UJ
4. Copyright Training/Workshop, UJ
5. Learning Guides & Assessments Workshop, UJ
6. UJ RefWorks Training/Workshop, UJ
7. Laser Safety Training, NLC, Pretoria
8. Lasec Micropipetting Workshop, UJ
9. SPSS Data Analysis Workshop, UJ
10. qPCR Workshop, UJ
11. Wirsam Confocal Workshop, Wirsam Johannesburg

2010
1. Merck Laboratory Safety, Johannesburg
2. RT-PCR: Critical Factors for Successful HRM Analysis Utilizing RT-PCR, Johannesburg
3. Infusing Learning Skills into Teaching, Johannesburg
4. IPROC Workshop, UJ
5. Research Accounts Processing, UJ
6. Laser Spring School, Pretoria
7. Post-Graduate Supervision, UJ
8. UJ Website Training, UJ
9. Zeiss Axio Z1 Live Imaging, UJ
10. UJ Post-Graduate Research Day, UJ
11. Advanced Academic Writing, UJ.

2009
1. DST / CSIR Synthetic Biology Research Initiative – National strategy, Muldersdrift
2. First National Nanotechnology Risk Assessment Workshop, Pretoria
3. Laser Safety Workshop, NLC, Pretoria
4. Confocal Microscopy Workshop, CSIR, Pretoria
5. BD Introduction to Flow Cytometry, UJ
6. Essential Real-Time PCR Short Course, Pretoria.

2008
1. Flow cytometry workshop, presented by Scientific Group, Wits University
2. Placecol/ SkinPhD workshop, Pretoria
3. Laser Safety Workshop, NLC, Pretoria.

2007
1. A new non-invasive treatment modality: photon therapy and how it benefits your practice: PHOTIZO, Johannesburg
2. Zeiss Cell Observer Live Imaging system, Gottingham, Germany
3. Micro-array workshop, Johannesburg
4. Flow cytometry workshop, Johannesburg
5. First International Biophotonics Workshop (IBIS), Taipei
6. Laser Safety Workshop, NLC, Pretoria.

2006
1. DIGE and its applications in Proteomics, Separation Scientific S.A. (Pty) Ltd – The Grove, Ruimsig
2. University of Johannesburg Research Dissemination Workshop facilitated by Dr. Elisabeth Lickindorf, Oxford University
3. LUMENIS one: The infinity platform for Aestetic/Dermatologic Laser Applications IPL with OPT technology for Vascular Treatments, Cyprus
4. THOR Satellite Symposium Laboratory LLLT Studies Need Special Laser Beams, Cyprus
5. Laser Safety Workshop, NLC, Pretoria.

2005
1. Carl Zeiss Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy Workshop Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IIDMM) UCT Medical School, November, Cape Town
2. Basic Counselling Course: HIV, Marriage, Abuse, Divorce mediation, Post-traumatic FAMSA Johannesburg
3. Laser Safety Workshop, NLC, Pretoria

2004
1. Flow cytometry workshop by Scientific Group, TWR
2. Non-contact Laser microdissection by Wirsam Scientific and P.A.L.M. Microlaser Technologies TWR
3. Femtosecond Workshop hosted by the NLC, CSIR and SAIP on high intensity laser technology and applications of femtosecond lasers, Pretoria
4. Laser Safety Workshop, NLC, Pretoria

2003
1. Research Ethos at TWR: Research Structures and Management, TWR
2. South African Institute of Physics Winter School on Lasers and Applications, Stellenbosch

2002
1. NLC / MRC Workshop – Laser Applications in the Health Sector, Pretoria