Head of paediatric oncology: Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital MBChB (UCT) FC Paed (SA) Cert Med Onc (Paed) MMed (Wits), PhD candidate
Prof Jennifer Geel is the former chair of the Wits Paediatric Fund and Ministerial Advisory Committee on Cancer Control and Prevention. She is passionate and dedicated to improving the survival and quality of life of children with cancer. She has a strong interest in stem cell transplantation. She is enrolled for a PhD, studying the relationship between simple blood tests and changes on PET-CT of children with Hodgkin lymphoma, hoping that more cost-effective versions of precision medicine may be possible in low and middle income countries. Prof Geel is also the secretary –general of the Africa division of the International Paediatric Oncology Society (SIOP) and former co-chair of the Education and Training Working Group of SIOP PODC (Paediatric Oncology in Developing Countries). The aim of this group is to facilitate access for professionals in under-resourced settings to training and skills development opportunities worldwide. Prof Geel is a committee member of the South African Children’s Cancer Study Group and a member of SASCeTS, the South African Stem Cell Transplant Society: each of these societies are responsible for bolstering research in paediatric care. Currently she is involved in research concerning retinoblastoma, germ cell tumours, neuroblastoma and Covid effects on referrals to specialist centres. She founded a non-profit organization, CARE (Cancer Awareness, Research and Education) for Kids with Cancer, to fund collaborative research in South Africa.
