Bio: Dr Desiree Varatharajullu is an academic in the Department of Chiropractic. She is also the Clinic Director for the Chiropractic Day Clinic at the Durban University of Technology. She received her M.Tech: Chiropractic degree from the Durban University of Technology. Desiree has lectured part-time and ran a private practice before joining the Department of Chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology as a full-time academic. She is a locum Chiropractor on a part-time basis in order to keep her practice skills current and incorporate practical knowledge obtained from there into her teaching. Desiree’s current roles include lecturing students, being a clinical instructor at the Chiropractic Day Clinic as well as at community service initiatives and supervising Masters research students and collaborative work. Her supervision experience includes clinical trials, questionnaires and qualitative studies with a preference for musculoskeletal, chiropractic, pain, electromodalities, geriatrics, paediatrics, headaches and studies involving blood flow assessments with the use of an intervention. Desiree is involved in the publication of research which she supervises.

Bio: Dr Laura O’Connor obtained her chiropractic qualification at the Durban Institute of Technology in the early 2000’s. Thereafter she practiced as a chiropractor in a multi-disciplinary practice in Dublin, Ireland. On returning to South Africa she became a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology. In this position she lectures in both the undergraduate and post-graduate programmes. She has been actively involved in the research portfolio in the department and has supervised many students registered in for their Master’s in Technology Chiropractic. Her research interests include the neurophysiology and effectiveness of chiropractic treatment. She is also a member of the Professional Board of Chiropractic and Osteopathy.

Courses Currently Teaching: Chiropractic Principles and Practice III
Research Methods and Techniques I
Chiropractic Principles and Practice IV
Chiropractic Principles and Practice V

Research and Innovation focus: Research interest are focused on the effectiveness of manipulative therapy and its underlying mechanisms.

Bio: Dr A. Docrat is a senior lecturer in the department of chiropractic at DUT. He started his career as a chiropractor after graduating in 1999 from Technikon Natal and went immediately into private practice. An opportunity to lecture in the department of chiropractic at the old Technikon Natal presented which he accepted. He obtained his first Master’s degree as a chiropractor, went on to study sports science at UKZN Medical School where he obtained a second Master’s degree.In 2006 he obtained a post-graduate qualification as a Unani Tibb physician from the UWC. Dr. Docrat now practices part-time as a chiropractor and Unani Tibb physician and lectures in the department of chiropractic full time. He lectures in the fields of mechanical low back pain, epidemiology, myofascial pain syndromes, and biomechanics. He is actively involved in lecturing and supervising master’s students at DUT. His first thesis was a study in the epidemiology of low back pain between Coloureds and Indians in South Africa and the second one on the effect of a homeopathic anti-inflammatory (Traumeel) on the blood cytokine profile of long-distance runners. His niche areas of research are in the fields of myofascial pain, mechanical low back pain, cupping therapy and epidemiology.

Bio: Charmaine M Korporaal M.Tech:Chiropractic. CCFC, CCSP, ICSSD in her capacity as Senior Lecturer at the Department of Chiropractic and Somatology at the DUT, she is involved in department and programme management, research and clinical supervision, lecturing and also holds the post of Clinic Director. In order to keep herself current within sports chiropractic, Charmaine participates with the students at various sports events as well as a limited part time practice alongside her duties.In addition she sits on the following committees – The Executive of the Chiropractic Association of South Africa, the Executive of the Federation International de Chiropractic du Sport and is the National Internship Committee Chair for the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa. She is also part of the Federation Internationale de Chiropractique du Sportive, International Chiropractic Regulatory Forum and the Public Health Committee of the WFC.Through her research involvement, both supervising masters dissertations and facilitating publication of the results of these masters dissertations, Charmaine has been invited to join the Editorial Board of a number of journals.

Bio: Dr. Junaid Shaik is a prominent figure within the chiropractic community in South Africa, boasting a distinguished career spanning nearly 25 years, characterised by both academic and clinical excellence. Throughout his tenure, he has contributed significantly to medical education by instructing chiropractic, and medical and nursing students at the esteemed Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine. In addition to his instructional responsibilities, Dr. Shaik has displayed a strong commitment to mentorship, having successfully supervised over 30 Master’s students, while also serving as an examiner for post-graduate studies at the University of Johannesburg and as a reviewer for numerous reputable accredited journals. Notably, Dr. Shaik’s pursuit of knowledge extends to his doctoral thesis in medicine, which will be soon examined, and his completion of the coursework for his Masters in Medical Law. His academic pursuits mirror his dedication to the advancement of healthcare and medical knowledge. Moreover, Dr. Shaik’s research interests are firmly grounded in paediatric tuberculosis and biomedical ethics, demonstrating his concern for crucial public health issues. Beyond academia, Dr. Shaik holds esteemed positions, serving as a member of the Ethics Committee of a prominent higher education institute in KwaZulu Natal and the Animal Research Committee of a leading South African University. These roles underscore his commitment to ensuring ethical practices in research and healthcare. Outside of his professional pursuits, Dr. Shaik finds solace in the outdoors and enjoys a skillful game of table tennis.

Bio: Ms Pillay the Secretary of the Department of Chiropractic  has a Bachelor of Technology in Comm Administration. She plays an integral and active role in the functioning of  the front office operations and management dealing with students, staff and the general public in terms of queries by providing the best advice and support possible. Ms Pillay also holds the portfolio of the Departmental student accommodation liaison representative for the Department of Chiropractic. Ms Pillay was awarded a certificate of recognition for EXCELLENCE for embodying Envision 2030.

Bio: Mrs Wendy Drake joined the Chiropractic Department in an administrative capacity in 2011. She has a Diploma in Horticulture from Technikon Natal and worked in the Horticultural industry for 21 years, 14 of which was in a managerial position. Her current portfolio includes the financial administration of the Chiropractic Department.

Bio: Mrs Twiggs joined the DUT Chiropractic Clinic in an administrative capacity in 1998 after working at ABSA Bank for ten years. During her time with DUT, she has seen to the operational aspects of the Chiropractic clinic at the Durban University of Technology. From 2014 to 2017 she held the role of student administrator for the Chiropractic, Somatology and Homoeopathy clinics and then rejoined the Chiropractic Clinic as an administrator mid-2017. She currently handles all aspects of administration regarding the Chiropractic clinic and its students and protocols.

Bio: Mrs Amanda Makhonza joined DUT in 2012, where she worked in different departments before joining Chiropractic department in 2019 in an administrative capacity. She holds a National Diploma in Office Management and Technology as well as Advanced Diploma in Management Sciences (Business Administration). She is responsible for the booking patients appointments and facilitating other administrative tasks to ensure the smooth functioning of the clinic.  Her vast experience in administration has assisted Chiropractic department to be always efficient as they deal with students, staff and the general public.

Bio: Dr Yomika Venketsamy qualified with a Master’s degree in Chiropractic at DUT in 2007 and runs a part-time practice. Her practical experience and knowledge gained in treating patients over the years, resulted in her appointment as a part-time lecturer at DUT in 2015. As a current full time academic, her roles include lecturing, Masters dissertation supervision, clinic and community service supervision, research publication and student liaison. She runs a Chiropractic Food Fund for students, the Chiropractic Coaching Mentorship Programme for first years and the Senior Mentorship programme. She also went on to obtain a second Master’s degree in Biomedical Forensic Science at UCT, with a keen interest in Forensic Pathology and Forensic Anthropology. Her research looked at the usefulness of Forensic Radiology in estimating stature. This resulted in the creation of stature estimation regression formulae for the South African male population which may be used when skeletal remains are found. Research interests include epidemiological studies, surveys and clinical trials.

Bio: Dr Cleo Prince hails from Port Elizabeth and commenced her studies for chiropractic in 2008. After completing her dissertation titled the effect of three different cooling gels on acute non-specific low back pain, she graduated and commenced her work in private practice in Musgrave as a full time practitioner but always maintained strong ties with DUT as a part time lecturer. After two and a half years as a part time lecturer, she was appointed as a Permanent Academic Lecturer in the Department of Chiropractic in 2018 and continues to practice on a part time basis. Her portfolio within the department comprises of teaching and learning in the topographical and radiographic anatomy and the diagnostics ambit. She is also involved in clinician duty as well as administering the research portfolio within the department. Dr Prince is a proud member of the Chiropractic Association of South Africa and relishes in her role as a Kwa Zulu Natal Regional Committee Member. Dr Prince truly believes she is fulfilling her purpose in life and looks forward to many years as a part of the DUT family.