A decorated German academic who’s advanced the reputation and standing of WSU through his work in the Covid-19 vaccine space was honoured by the institutions during its June graduation ceremonies in June.

Plastic surgeon and emergency physician Prof Marcus Depfenhart, joined WSU in June 2021 through a joint research project hosted by the Northwest University, and WSU as an innovator and researcher. 

In June, Walter Sisulu University conferred the degree of Doctor of Health Sciences upon him for his outstanding work in developing three human candidate vaccines against COVID-19.

Prof Depfenhart obtained his basic medical degree from the University of Frankfurt in 2004 before, during the same year, achieving his MD with a full approbation as a physician. He would go on to obtain his PhD in Medicine from the same University a few years later.

He would further broaden his horizon by venturing into the academic fields of patenting and law by obtained a doctoral degree in Patent Management from the Czech Republic’s Mendel University, as well as procuring an LLM degree from FOM Hamburg.

“A comprehensive education is the key to effort for lateral thinking which in turn is a strong driver for innovation. With lateral thinking and hard work, everyone can become an expert in almost any field or even create new fields himself. Such experts are especially needed to build up a sustained and integrated system for preparedness for future pandemics and for African diseases,” said Prof Depfenhart.

Opining on his vision for a healthier African continent, Prof Depfenhart said that vaccines, developed and manufactured on the African continent, by Africans for Africa, hold the key to a healthier and better continent.

He said he was grateful that he could contribute and play his own modest part towards the production of African COvid-19 vaccines and in so doing to add his own bit to making the world a healthier place.

By Thando Cezula