Dr Shamanie Govender’s passion lies in showcasing impactful research that advances health sciences. She is a lecturer in the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Technology at DUT, with over a decade of clinical leadership experience in Nephrology, having served as Unit Manager, Centre Manager, and ultimately Regional/Cluster Manager in private renal facilities before transitioning to academia.
Her achievements include being featured in the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South African Graduates Achieving Academic Excellence (2022), receiving the Recognition Award of Excellence for Milestone Achievement in nGAP (2025), and being honoured as Alumnus of the Month at DUT in November 2025.
“My research focuses on Nephrology, specifically Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), primary caregiver wellness, pain management, and traditional medicine. I have published in DHET-accredited journals such as the Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare and the Journal of Medicinal Plants for Economic Development,” she explained.
Currently, Dr Govender is involved in multidisciplinary projects at DUT, including an AI-integrated research study combining Health and Applied Sciences, and a collaborative study exploring the experiences of multidisciplinary engagement among health science students.
“The decision to pursue and complete my PhD in Health Science (2024) while managing lecturing and leadership roles was a defining academic experience. With support from a National Research Fund grant, I have presented at numerous conferences, including the South African Renal Congress (2024) and DUT’s LTRIE Conference (2025), sharing insights on pain management and academic staff development initiatives,” she said.
Dr Govender emphasised that these were not just personal achievements but confirmations of her commitment to advancing health sciences through research.
Her current research aims to improve the quality of life for CKD patients through better pain management, caregiver education and wellness interventions, and the exploration of South African medicinal plants as complementary therapies. “My inspiration comes from over 10 years in clinical practice. Witnessing dialysis patients’ struggles with chronic pain and high medication costs compelled me to seek solutions that are clinically effective and socio-economically accessible,” she shared.
Her work aligns with DUT’s ENVISION2030 goals. “By researching affordable, indigenous-based treatments for CKD, I contribute to improving lives and livelihoods. Participation in the Big Rocks project ensures DUT remains a leading university of technology by developing innovative study areas that respond to the evolving digital and healthcare landscape,” she said.
A breakthrough in her doctoral research highlighted the often-overlooked psychological and socio-economic challenges faced by primary caregivers of children with CKD. “Caregiver wellness is critical in paediatric patient treatment. My research advocates for integrated support systems to prevent caregiver burnout, which directly impacts child health outcomes,” she explained.
Parallel research into pain management revealed gaps in chronic pain protocols for renal patients. “Integrating South African medicinal plants as complementary therapies supports a holistic, family-centred model of care. Addressing both caregiver mental wellness and patient physical pain improves long-term survival, enhances families’ quality of life, and reduces strain on healthcare infrastructure,” she highlighted.
The NRF grant for her PhD (2021–2022) signifies national recognition of her research’s merit and necessity. “This support validates my work and lays the foundation for my upcoming NRF rating application, reflecting my commitment to becoming a leading authority in health sciences,” she said.
Looking ahead, Dr Govender plans to integrate Artificial Intelligence into Health Sciences education and develop a formal Caregiver Support Framework for families of children with chronic illnesses. “My goal is to create multidisciplinary academic programmes that break down traditional silos, fostering collaboration across Health, Applied Sciences, and Technology to solve complex societal problems,” she concluded.
Pictured: Dr Shamanie Govender
Waheeda Peters
