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Dr. Yuri Munsamy, Science Officer at SACEMA, combines her background in virology with grant development to secure funding for research that shapes public health policy in Africa. She champions collaboration, diversity, and mentorship, encouraging young women to embrace curiosity, persistence, and continuous learning in science.

Dr Yuri Munsamy journey into science began at the age of 10, when she became fascinated by iron shavings being drawn to a magnet. “Years later, in my first microbiology lecture, I was captivated by bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) and blown away by the engineering precision of a non-living organism that packs lightly in terms of genetic material,” she says with a smile.

This early fascination led Yuri to pursue a PhD in Virology at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, where she investigated human papillomavirus (HPV) in head and neck cancers. She sequenced the first complete South African HPV18 and HPV31 genomes and demonstrated how genetic mutations in the promoter region of the virus – the part of its DNA that works like an on/off switch for genes – can affect how strongly genes involved in causing cancer are switched on.

“After years in the laboratory, I hung up my lab coat and picked up the proverbial pen to bridge the gap between the science we do and the people we impact,” says Yuri. As a Science Officer at SACEMA, she supports grant development, translating complex scientific concepts into impactful proposals – or, as she puts it, “turning data points into dollar signs.” The funding she helps secure enables epidemiological modelling research to move forward, inform public health policy, and ultimately improve lives across Africa.

CERI is known for its cross-disciplinary approach to tackling health challenges and valuing women in STEM. Within SACEMA at CERI, Yuri thrives in a collaborative setting where diverse perspectives are respected and incorporated into decision-making. Her experience shows that when women are given not just a seat at the table but a voice that is heard, their work can help guide the next generation of scientists and contribute to improving the health of those around us.

Yuri has had a few rewarding academic moments. “An unexpectedly fulfilling moment recently was when I discovered a small tomato plant growing wild. I decided to nurture it, learning how to create the right conditions for it to flourish,” she explains. “Over time, it produced more than 70 mini tomatoes – which I handed out to whoever would listen!” The process mirrored her work approach; identifying potential, providing the right support, and patiently helping it grow into something impactful, then sharing the reward.

Yuri’s advice to young girls and women curious about science is to have an inquiring spirit, be teachable, fail forward, and put in the hard work. “Every challenge is an opportunity to learn, and persistence often matters more than perfection,” she says.

News date: 2025-08-08

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