In a significant advancement for paediatric neuroscience, Professor Anthony Figaji from the University of Cape Town (UCT) has been awarded the esteemed Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship for his pioneering research into childhood brain injuries. Recognised at an award ceremony on 15 July 2025, this accolade not only highlights Figaji’s contributions to the field but also positions him among an elite circle of scholars dedicated to enhancing the global understanding of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in children.

The Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship, one of Africa’s most coveted academic honours, has previously celebrated nine UCT academics, making Figaji the tenth recipient and affirming UCT’s status as a leader in cutting-edge research. Alongside him, Professor Andrew Forbes from the University of the Witwatersrand also received the 2024/2025 fellowship, further showcasing the calibre of research emerging from South Africa.

Children are particularly vulnerable to TBI, which remains a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Professor Figaji’s research aims to decode the complex reactions of the brain following injury. By exploring the biological mechanisms underlying recovery and the effectiveness of various treatments, his work aspires to enhance recovery trajectories for many young patients.

One of the significant challenges in treating brain injuries lies in the brain’s protected environment, complicating drug delivery due to physiological barriers. Professor Figaji’s innovative project utilises an extensive dataset, the largest of its kind globally, created through continuous monitoring of paediatric patients at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH). This initiative facilitates the gathering of complex physiological and biochemical data, enabling insights at an unprecedented scale.

“Our developed techniques allow us to repeatedly sample both total and active drug levels directly from the brain,” Figaji explained. “This will let us better predict what works, where, and how—as never before.” His research not only focuses on understanding how medications act on the brain but also aims to prevent the dangerous secondary injuries that often follow initial trauma.

The fellowship will support Figaji’s African Brain Child (ABC) team in collaborating with experts in complex systems and data science, processing an enormous volume of data comprised of millions of data points per patient. The anticipated outcomes could lead to new diagnostic and predictive tools that significantly improve patient outcomes, potentially impacting a wide array of neurological conditions.

Professor Graham Fieggen, director of the Neuroscience Institute at UCT, hailed Figaji’s accolade as richly deserved, emphasising the immense potential for world-class scientific advancements that directly address South Africa’s major health priorities, particularly the epidemic of trauma. “Figaji has established UCT as a global leader in brain injury research, significantly affecting patient outcomes through innovative and targeted approaches,” he added.

Beyond academic research, the ABC team actively engages the community, raising awareness about TBI risks to children through initiatives like the ‘Be Quick to Click’ campaign. Their most recent endeavour involved a car seat collection and donation drive in partnership with WheelWell and SupaQuick in October 2024.

With approximately 55 million individuals worldwide living with TBI-related disabilities, the global burden is immense. Particularly for children, the lifetime ramifications of brain injuries can significantly alter educational and social trajectories. Professor Figaji asserted, “When a child suffers a brain injury, the effects often extend into adulthood—impacting education, behaviour, employment, and even increasing risks of criminal involvement.”

As he reflected on the far-reaching implications of his research, Figaji noted, “Understanding the brain’s response is critical if we’re to change these trajectories.” The potential for profound impact on millions of lives underscores the critical importance of investing in such pioneering research, heralding a new era in the treatment and understanding of brain injuries globally.

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