Winning the Research Excellence Award: Emerging Researcher (Gold) was the icing on the cake for the first PhD holder in her home, community, and within her department of Somatology in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Khosi Mpofana. The dynamic lecturer, who holds a PhD in Dermatology shared her feelings upon winning the gold award at the 2025 ENVISION2030 Institutional Awards held at the Capital Zimbali Resort in Ballito last Friday, 28 November 2025.
“I feel profoundly grateful, and truly humbled to receive this award. This recognition is especially meaningful because it underscores the importance and scientific depth of research coming from Somatology, a field often misunderstood as purely aesthetic rather than evidence-based. Being acknowledged at this level shows that Somatology is producing timely, impactful, and rigorous research that addresses real health and societal issues. It confirms the discipline’s rightful place within the scientific community and helps establish both the department’s and DUT’s positions as research-driven leaders in this area,” she expressed jubilantly.
Dr Mpofana was given recognition for her outstanding achievement and commitment to improving lives and livelihoods through excellence in learning and teaching. The award-winning emerging researcher was born in rural Bizana in the Eastern Cape (Nomlacu, Isikelweni Tribal Authority) and developed a deep passion for learning about skin diseases and disorders affecting darker skin types.
“I lecture across the Somatology programme, teaching wellness therapy (hydrotherapy for stress management) at third-year level, somatic medical aesthetics at fourth year, covering skin renewal, anti-ageing, and advanced lesion removal using lasers, lights, chemical exfoliation, percutaneous collagen induction, and wound healing, and permanent remedial somatic therapies at postgraduate level. I also supervise master’s students conducting evidence-based research in somatology and allied health,” she elaborated.
Her research interest focuses on a unified narrative that links inter-and multidisciplinary research in Somatology and Dermatology through the pursuit of holistic and sustainable skin health. The shared focus begins with caring for the patient’s systemic and psychosocial well-being, emphasising the importance of respectful, stress-relieving therapies alongside clinical treatments. “This foundational understanding evolves into detailed scientific research on skin conditions, advocating for an integrated care model that smoothly transitions from diagnosing disease burdens to creating eco-friendly, bioactive solutions that improve both skin health and patient quality of life,” she highlighted.
In accordance with the award criteria, which recognise early-career researchers with a strong impact trajectory, her work met and surpassed the required outputs. The category mandated at least three high-impact, peer-reviewed Q1/Q2 publications; during the review year, she produced six DHET-accredited journal articles and one book chapter, twice the minimum. “Much of this research focused on HIV, genetics, and the discovery of bioactive compounds with anti-tyrosinase, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, crucial mechanisms relevant to anti-aging, skin rejuvenation, and enhanced quality of life. These results demonstrate both research excellence and the potential for long-term impact that the award aims to recognise,” she said.
Alongside supervising evidence-based scientific research, Dr Mpofana is actively engaged in several high-impact, multidisciplinary projects. These include the Inclusive Wellness Project, which applies design thinking to improve access to culturally responsive care for the marginalised LGBTQI community; the Translingual Project, which promotes the integration of isiZulu into teaching and learning to strengthen linguistic inclusivity in health sciences education; and a digital innovation project exploring the responsible use of AI by both staff and students. Collectively, these initiatives reflect her commitment to advancing socially responsive scholarship, inclusive education, and transformative innovation within higher education.
“My current research focuses on understanding stress, anti-ageing, hyperpigmentary and inflammatory skin disorders in people with darker skin types and investigating traditional African plant-based treatments,” she explained. Her interest in this area was inspired by a caregiver from her childhood who used a certain crude stem bark to protect and enhance her skin. Later, while working alongside a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, she observed that many patients of skin colour who presented with melasma left consultations feeling discouraged due to limited effective treatment options. This motivated her to scientifically investigate the traditional bark, used by the helper, with the aim of developing an accessible, evidence-based intervention that could benefit all individuals, especially those with skin of colour.
In terms of her research, Dr Mpofana indicated that it aligns with the objectives as outlined in the DUT ENVISION2030 strategy.
“My research aligns strongly with DUT ENVISION2030 by advancing innovation, applied science, and community impact through the study of melasma, a condition that significantly affects psychosocial well-being and health-related quality of life. By investigating pigmentation genetics, culturally grounded plant-based therapies, and safe, non-inflammatory treatment options for people with darker skin types, the work supports DUT’s pillars of people-centredness, innovation and entrepreneurship, and sustainability,” she added. The development of locally relevant, evidence-based interventions, explained Dr Mpofana, promotes health equity, strengthens SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), and positions DUT as a leader in socially responsive, African-led dermatological research. “This project also fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and integrates indigenous knowledge with modern science, embodying DUT’s commitment to producing impactful research that addresses real community needs,” she said.
A major innovation of her research is that it is the first study in Somatology to integrate ethnobotany, genetics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking to investigate Cassipourea flanaganii for melasma treatment in people with darker skin types. The genetic component-examining melasma-related polymorphisms in African populations, is groundbreaking and fills a critical research gap. “Network pharmacology provides a systems-level view of how multiple plant compounds act across pathways, while molecular docking predicts their interactions with targets such as tyrosinase. Together, these approaches generate strong mechanistic evidence and bridge traditional knowledge with modern science to advance safe, effective, and culturally relevant treatment options,’ she highlighted.
Dr Mpofana’s research provides a multi-domain, scientifically validated model for melasma in African women. “Clinically, the first South African MELASQoL dataset confirmed severe psychosocial burden, with MASI score, education level, menopausal status, and malar-pattern involvement emerging as significant predictors. Phytochemical analysis of Cassipourea species identified potent bioactive compounds with anti-tyrosinase, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and network pharmacology further revealed emodin-6,8-dimethyl ether as a thermodynamically stable lead compound with sustained binding to tyrosinase. In vivo toxicity testing confirmed extract safety, while genetic analysis identified TYR, HERC2, and SLC24A5 variants associated with melasma susceptibility,” she emphasised. Collectively, Dr Mpofana said that these findings establish a culturally grounded, multi-target therapeutic framework tailored for darker skin types. “With this integrated evidence base, from clinical burden to molecular mechanisms, developing a holistic, safe, and effective treatment solution becomes not only feasible but scientifically well-supported, paving the way for Africa-led innovation in pigmentation therapy,’ she indicated.
Dr Mpofana sees her research contributing to the broader academic community and influencing future research directions in her field.
Her research establishes a multi-domain, culturally grounded approach to hyperpigmentary disorders, laying the foundation for a safe, user-friendly treatment for all skin types, improving quality of life, and advancing SDG 3. “Equally important, this research strengthens Africa’s scientific voice by positioning the continent as a credible global partner in solving a glocal dermatological challenge. It also contributes directly to capacity development within Somatology. Through supervising postgraduate students and embedding evidence-based, problem-solving research into teaching and clinical training, the work cultivates a new generation of scientifically grounded Somatology researchers,” she added.
Dr Mpfona shared that these students engage in impactful, solution-oriented projects focused on skin health, indigenous knowledge, digital innovation, and community-centred care, ensuring that the discipline evolves beyond aesthetics into a robust, research-active health science field capable of producing sustainable, culturally relevant healthcare innovations.
Collaborating with researchers, institutions, and industry partners has been vital for Dr Mpofana, offering access to specialised expertise, advanced tools, and diverse patient groups, enhanced her skills in clinical assessment, phytochemistry, molecular modelling, and data analysis.
“The findings from my research have several practical uses. They establish the foundation for safe, accessible melasma treatments suitable for all skin types, which can directly enhance the quality of life for those affected. Locally, this supports the creation of culturally relevant skincare products and treatment plans, opening opportunities for community-based businesses, encouraging the use of native plants, and strengthening the cosmetic and wellness sectors. Additionally, combining clinical, genetic, and phytochemical insights can guide training for healthcare providers, improving overall skin and systemic health care,” indicated Dr Mpofana.
With footprints already on the moon, even the sky is not the limit for Dr Mpofana. She envisions translating these findings into community-friendly interventions, locally manufactured skin-care products, and a collaborative hub for traditional medicine research, driving innovation, knowledge exchange, and practical solutions.
Pictured: Dr Khosi Mpofana
Waheeda Peters
