Professor Rubeshan Perumal, a prominent pulmonologist and expert in tuberculosis (TB) and HIV, has been honoured with the 2024 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). The award recognises his exceptional contributions to medical research, particularly in the fields of TB and HIV care. At just 37 years old, Perumal has already established himself as a trailblazer in the global fight against drug-resistant tuberculosis, one of the most significant health challenges of our time.
In addition to his role as Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Perumal is a Consultant Pulmonologist at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital and Head of TB/HIV Treatment Research at the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA). His research has garnered international recognition for addressing some of the most pressing issues in TB and HIV treatment, with a particular focus on developing new therapies for drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis. Despite being a preventable and treatable disease, TB continues to claim the lives of over 1.5 million people annually, underscoring the urgency of Perumal’s work.
Perumal’s journey into medical research began in 2005, during his first year of medical school, when he joined CAPRISA as a research intern. It was here that his commitment to improving the lives of people living with HIV and TB, particularly those suffering from drug-resistant forms of the diseases, was solidified. “From very early on, I felt inspired to maintain an unflinching focus on saving the lives of people living with HIV and TB, especially those with drug-resistant forms of the disease who face the highest risk of death,” he explained. This unwavering dedication continues to drive his work today.
Throughout his career, Perumal has been guided and mentored by some of the most esteemed figures in the field, including Professors Salim Abdool Karim, Kogie Naidoo, Nesri Padayatchi, Bilkish Cassim, and Keertan Dheda. He credits their mentorship for shaping his commitment to using science to eliminate human suffering, and he is equally dedicated to paying this forward through his own mentorship activities. “Their examples have been a constant reminder of what can be achieved through pioneering and rigorous science combined with a deeply personal commitment to solving the most pressing problems threatening human health,” said Perumal. His dedication to nurturing the next generation of scholars ensures that his impact will extend far beyond his own work.
Perumal’s scientific output is both prolific and influential. With over 70 peer-reviewed publications in major journals such as The Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine, and Lancet Infectious Diseases, his research continues to shape the future of TB and HIV treatment. In addition to his publications, he has been involved in more than 10 clinical studies as a primary investigator or co-investigator, further cementing his role in advancing medical knowledge and practice in these areas. As a frequent speaker at national and international conferences, Perumal’s contributions are recognised not only in South Africa but around the world.
Beyond his academic and research achievements, Perumal is deeply committed to medical education. He manages undergraduate training in Internal Medicine and mentors postgraduate and doctorate candidates, ensuring the next generation of clinician-scientists is equipped to tackle the complex health challenges facing the world. He is also actively involved in national and international advisory groups, including the KwaZulu-Natal Drug-Resistant TB Advisory Group and the National TB Think Tank, as well as the Global Virus Network’s Long Covid Task Force. Reflecting on his dual role as both clinician and scientist, Perumal notes, “Life as a clinician-scientist straddles the poetic intersection between the austerity of scientific empiricism and the artistry inherent in caring for people in their most desperate state of illness. I feel deeply blessed.” His work continues to inspire, innovate, and leave a lasting legacy in the fields of TB and HIV research.
