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ACADEMIC STAFF

Acting Head of Department: Prof Ashley Ross
Tel: 031 373 2542
Email: ashleyr@dut.ac.za
Campus: Ritson Campus
Qaulification(s): DTech (DUT) MTech (TN) PGDip Health ResEth (SU) BMus (UCT) MLMHI MHSA

Bio: Professor Ashley Ross is an Associate Professor and Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Durban University of Technology (DUT).
He is in private practice and has been teaching homeopathic medicine for 22 years, as well as engaging in clinical and research supervision. He has successfully supervised 53 Masters and PhD theses in a range of health disciplines, and is currently supervising 3 Masters and 4 PhD students. In 2011 he completed a PhD that explored the relationship between homoeopathic-, Traditional African- and orthodox medicine. He has delivered lectures and seminars in South Africa, India and the UK, presented research papers at congresses in South Africa, the USA, Brazil, Argentina, Belgium, France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Malta, India and Japan, and reviews for five international medical journals. He is an internationally-regarded expert in the field of homoeopathic pathogenetic trials, and has been the Principal Investigator in an ongoing collaborative research project between DUT and Heel Biological Medicines in Germany since 2012. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Liga Medicorum Homoeopathica Internationalis, a representative on the Professional Board for Homoeopathy, Naturopathy and Phytotherapy, and the Chairperson of the South African Committee of Health Sciences Deans. In 2013 he completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Research Ethics at the University of Stellenbosch, and is a member of both the UKZN Biomedical Research Ethics Committee and the DUT Institutional Research Ethics Committee. 

Lecturer: Dr Ingrid Couchman
Head Clinician Kenneth Gardens Community Health Centre
Tel: 031 373 2482
Email: ingridc@dut.ac.za
Location: Mansfield School
Campus: Ritson
Qualification(s): M.Tech. Hom (DIT)

Bio: Dr Couchman is constantly motivating and upgrading her level of delivering lectures – using board games and other interactive methods to develop teamwork, community engagement and fun learning. Her niche is in lecturing Clinical Homoeopathy and facilitating students to develop practically at the Kenneth Gardens Homoeopathic Community Clinic where she serves as the dedicated Head Clinician. She has published three articles in various journals and has presented research internationally. Dr Couchman is also a member of the Health and Safety Committee, Faculty Research Committee (FRC) and supervises Masters level research at DUT.

Senior Lecturer: Dr Cornè Hall
Tel: 031 373 2483
Email: corneh@dut.ac.za
Campus: Ritson Campus
Qualification(s): M.Tech. Hom (TN) B.Sc. (PUCHO)

Bio: Dr Hall’s forte is lecturing Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Paediatrics to Masters students in the 5th year. She encourages her students to develop discipline, integrity and steadfastness, ensuring students are fully equipped clinically to enter the world of private practice. She also coordinates and lectures Faculty General Education to students from various departments in the Faculty of Health Sciences, in particular Personal and Professional Development modules. She is currently studying towards a Master’s degree in Public Health and has extensive experience in research supervision at a Masters level. Dr Hall has also travelled internationally to present research. Dr Hall is now the Research co-ordinator for the Homoeopathic Department.

Lecturer: Dr Vanishree Alwar
Tel: 031 373 2484
Email: VanishreeA@dut.ac.za
Campus: Ritson Campus
Qualification: M.Tech. Hom (DUT)

Bio: Dr Vanishree Alwar is a lecturer and clinician at the Department of Homoeopathy. As a homoeopathic practitioner, she is involved in the clinical training of postgraduate students. Her academic focus is on capacity development through clinical teaching at undergraduate level, community engagement and postgraduate research supervision. She has a particular interest in innovative approaches to TLA and clinical training in health sciences education.

Lecturer: Dr Nontobeko Dube
Head Clinician Cato Ridge Community Health Centre
Email:
Campus: Ritson Campus
Qualification(s): M.Tech. Hom (DUT)

Bio: Dr Dube obtained her Maters Degree in Homoeopathy at the Durban University of Technology in 2015. After graduation she practiced under a qualified Homoeopath as a locum to enhance her knowledge as a Homoeopath and to gain exposure. In 2018 she was appointed as a part- time clinician at the Cato Ridge Community Clinic and in 2019 as an IsiZulu lecturer for healthcare practitioners.  In 2020 she became a full-time lecturer and the head the Cato Ridge Community Clinic as a clinician. Dr Dube also co-supervises Masters Research students and very enthusiastic about community engagement.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF:

Homoeopathic Department Secretary (Academic): Mrs Rani Sukhu
Tel: 031 373 2514
Email: sukhui@dut.ac.za
Location: Block L, 2nd Floor
Campus: Ritson Campus

Homoeopathic Community Health Centre Secretary: Mrs Sharon Brecher
Tel: 031 373 2513
Email: sharonb@dut.ac.za
Campus: Ritson Campus

Bio: Mrs. Brecher (or more affectionately called ‘’Mrs. B’’ by the staff and students) is a trained nurse who formerly worked at the Entabeni Hospital for 16 years. Following that, Mrs. Brecher then worked at the radiology laboratories at Lake Smit and Partners for 6 years, before joining the Homoeopathic Clinic as the secretary in 1995. She is disciplined in her duties, overseeing the operational and administrative aspects of the Homoeopathy Community Health Centres at the Durban University of Technology.

Community Health Centre Receptionist: Gugulethu Mkhwanazi
Tel: 031 373 2041
Email: gugulethuM@dut.ac.za
Campus: Ritson Campus

Bio: Mrs. Mkhwanazi is the ever friendly, efficient receptionist – booking patient appointments and facilitating other administrative tasks to ensure the smooth functioning of the Centre. She has greatly influenced the student experience with her warm smile, kind words and encouragement since 2006, when she began her duties with the Department.

 

TECHNICIAN AND LABORATORY STAFF

Specialist Laboratory Technician: Dr Shraddha Sirpal
Tel: 031 373 3002
Email: shraddhab@dut.ac.za
Campus: Ritson Campus
Qualification(s): M.Tech. Hom (DUT)

Bio: Dr Sirpal completed her Master’s in Homoeopathy in 2013 whilst working at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine. In 2014, she joined the Department of Homoeopathy as the specialist laboratory technician, and works consistently in the production and dispensing of homoeopathic pharmaceuticals for both clinical and research use. She has completed Good Manufacturing Process training and Total Quality Management to ensure product quality and safety, and is part of the Faculty Health and Safety Committee. She currently supervises Masters Research with her special interest in Homoeopathic Pharmacology.