Sikhulile Moyo
Born
Zimbabwe
Alma materUniversity of Zimbabwe
University of Botswana
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Stellenbosch University
Known forMoyo and his laboratory were the first to identify the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant
Children3
Scientific career
InstitutionsBotswana–Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
ThesisHIV-1C Dynamics and Evolutionary Trends in Botswana
Doctoral advisorSusan Engelbrecht
Tulio de Oliveira

Sikhulile Moyo is a Zimbabwean virologist working as the laboratory director of the Botswana–Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership and a research associate at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. In November 2021, Moyo and his laboratory were the first to identify the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. In 2022, Moyo was listed in the Time 100 list.

Early life and education

Moyo was born in Zimbabwe.[1] He completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Zimbabwe in 1996.[2] He completed a master's degree in applied microbiology at the University of Botswana in 2000.[2][3] In 2006, Moyo completed a M.P.H. at the University of Limpopo (MEDUNSA-campus). His thesis was titled Modelling the HIV / AIDS in Botswana: the representativeness of the ANC based estimates of HIV prevalence in Botswana and implications for monitoring the epidemic.[4] Moyo completed a Ph.D. in medical virology at Stellenbosch University in 2016. Tulio de Oliveira was one of his professors.[1] His dissertation was titled Evolutionary trends and dynamics of HIV-1C in Botswana.[2]

Career

Moyo joined the Botswana–Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership in 2003 as a lab assistant. He later became the laboratory coordinator, deputy manager, and then lab manager in 2016.[2] As of November 2021, Moyo is the laboratory director. He is also a research associate in immunology and infectious diseases at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.[5]

In November 2021, Moyo and his laboratory were the first to identify the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.[6] Upon discovery, they alerted the Botswanan Ministry of Health on November 22, 2021.[7] In 2022, Moyo was listed in the Time 100 list.[8]

Personal life

Moyo is married and has two sons and a daughter.[2] He is a gospel singer and composer.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Scientist Says Omicron Was a Group Find". VOA. December 4, 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Sikhulile Moyo". Harvard AIDS Initiative. 2016-06-16. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  3. ↑ "Sikhulile Moyo". The Conversation. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  4. ↑ Moyo, Sikhulile (2006). Modelling the HIV / AIDS in Botswana: the representativeness of the ANC based estimates of HIV prevalence in Botswana and implications for monitoring the epidemic (M.P.H. thesis). University of Limpopo. OCLC 190866981.
  5. ↑ "Harvard Catalyst Profiles: Sikhulile Moyo". Harvard Catalyst. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  6. ↑ Kew, Janice (December 4, 2021). "Omicron's speed of change worries director of Harvard lab in Botswana". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  7. ↑ Schrieber, Melody (2021-12-16). "The scientist in Botswana who identified omicron was saddened by the world's reaction". NPR. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  8. ↑ Nkengasong, John (May 23, 2022). "Tulio de Oliveira and Sikhulile Moyo: The 100 Most Influential People of 2022". Time. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
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