Mistress of Science, Molecular Biologist, Infectious Diseases/Vaccines. Tea Hoarder. Mother of Katniss. PhD
South Africa
Joined September 2009
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Sarah Downs 🇿🇦 retweeted
30 Years Of Wits VIDA.
30 Years. Countless Lives Impacted. A Legacy That Endures.
Yesterday, 22 September 2026, marked a significant milestone as Wits VIDA celebrated 30 years of excellence in scientific discovery, public health research, and life-changing impact. The occasion brought together researchers, clinicians, partners, alumni, and supporters to reflect on three decades of groundbreaking contributions that have advanced knowledge, strengthened healthcare, and improved lives across communities.
More than a celebration of the past, the event highlighted the power of collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to addressing some of society's most pressing health challenges. From pioneering research to transformative breakthroughs, Wits VIDA's journey stands as a testament to what is possible when science serves humanity.
As one chapter of an extraordinary legacy is honoured, the next begins with renewed purpose, ambition, and the promise of even greater impact.
@WitsVIDA
#WitsForGood #HealthForGood #ScienceForImpact #HealthSciences #30Years
vt.tiktok.com/ZSbdBA5N7/
What the Beatles did on their tour when faced with injustice.
Sarah Downs 🇿🇦 retweeted
Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 Health Minister Dr @DembyAustin is at #UNGA81 reporting impressive declines (31%) in maternal mortality as part of Triple Zero 300 Days Campaign.
Less so for child survival - 14%. BUT...
If @mohs_sl dropped PCV doses from 3 to 2, which they are eligible to do, & used savings to introduce maternal #RSV vaccine not only would child deaths drop, but so would hospitalization costs.
#TripleZero #ChildSurvivalAction #SecurePCV #StopRSV
Do you support Ed Sheeran being apolitical when faced with another artist on his tour facing censorship? Watch in entirety & tell me you can still say it's ok to be apolitical on this matter...::vt.tiktok.com/ZSbdYytR2/
Sarah Downs 🇿🇦 retweeted
Somebody asked for an infographic showing candidates switching parties.
I will be launching an election result and information site next week, but in the meantime, I did this.
It is an interactive chart showing inter-party moves between 2021 and 2026.
claude.ai/artifact/NZhhY5JKj…
Sarah Downs 🇿🇦 retweeted
Just drove to my hotel at the airport in Kempton Park at 10pm after the Pirates game..
Not a SINGLE street light is on, not a single robot is working… COMPLETE DARKNESS where we are supposedly on high alert and in a state of emergency!?
What a disgrace..
but the powers at be try to convince us they are doing all they can to protect our women.. but they can’t even keep the lights on! 🤬🤬
Sarah Downs 🇿🇦 retweeted
Please switch on the street lights
When in Gauteng and you need help please use the Gauteng ePanic button. In the last 48 yours we recorded almost 25k new downloads. Do it, it’s free #CreatingAsaferGauteng
Sarah Downs 🇿🇦 retweeted
💉 Want #LEN but not sure what actually happens at the clinic?
HIV test ✔️
2 pills ✔️2 tummy or buttocks jabs ✔️
2 more pills the next day ✔️
Back in 6 months ✔️
We went to a clinic to make you a step-by-step LEN cheat sheet. #Lenacapavir #HIVPrevention
bhekisisa.org/article/2026-0…
Sarah Downs 🇿🇦 retweeted
Can we talk about how we normalised no street lights in Gauteng?
Fancy neighbourhoods and townships alike.
Today was @WitsHealthFac research day: breaking silos. Amazing to see incredible young minds changing the future of health. @WitsVIDA 30th yr of research excellence, under @ShabirMadh, 4 orals, 18 posters showcased our work. Well done Lara for best staff poster. Well deserved!
Coming home today I came across a woman running, not recreationally, but with terror in her gait & face, in jeans with a backpack, already dark. I was tired to go out of my way but I reversed & offered a lift. There are no taxis that run these roads, no street lights.
She said yes, my mom is waiting for me further at another intersection, pls can we pick her up we are so scared. I hate that. first thing she said? There's a serial killer & we are in the dark. Jhb we need to fix our public transport, & lights especially the most vulnerable..
Sarah Downs 🇿🇦 retweeted
"Imagine a government that can track your unpaid municipal account to the cent…
…but somehow can't track billions in waste and corruption."
Sarah Downs 🇿🇦 retweeted
Lenacapavir is one of the most exciting innovations in the history of #HIV.
My congratulations to #SouthAfrica for being among the first countries to launch the national lenacapavir programme.
Looking ahead, South Africa has the opportunity not only to scale up access, but to contribute to regional production and supply, strengthening health security across the continent.
Metrofibre customer service is terrible. They have not got ai assistants right. @Metro_Fibre pls stick to humans. Your ai is making life terrible.
Sarah Downs 🇿🇦 retweeted
Incredible work of @nicd_sa, South Africa in sequencing the #hantavirus
There has been excellent collaboration as @WHO works to coordinate efforts and actions of governments, experts around the world, the Ship to keep people safe.
@DrTedros @Chikwe_I
cnbcafrica.com/2026/two-case…
Sarah Downs 🇿🇦 retweeted
Will the next wave of #child mortality gains be driven by countries that adopt the new vaccines to #STOPRSV?
Watch Prof Ziyaad Dangor from @WitsUniversity make the case with @paed_sa👉 youtube.com/watch?v=zZaFAgJ_…
@PMNCH @UNFPA @UNICEFhealth #WHA79 #SDGs @WitsVIDA
Sarah Downs 🇿🇦 retweeted
By providing training in complex genomic analysis, AI diagnostics, and clinical trial management, Wits VIDA is an incubator for the next generation of African scientific leaders ensuring that we are no longer just a consumer of health innovation, but a creator. #CapacityBuilding
Sarah Downs 🇿🇦 retweeted
This Earth Day, we reflect on the inextricable link between the health of our planet and the health of our people. We are exploring how environmental health connections affect the pathogens we study, ensuring our vaccine research remains adaptive to a changing world. #EarthDay
