Editor’s Note

We are pleased to present the 28th edition of Science Focus, a publication dedicated to highlighting and celebrating the remarkable research achievements of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). Presented in this issue are collaborative research efforts of promising young researchers, established and internationally acclaimed researchers.

We commend and recognise all the authors whose contributions grace our pages in this issue, with special recognition for the top three authors: Prof Anne von Gottberg, Prof Cheryl Cohen, and Dr Nicole Walter. Their work exemplifies the calibre of research excellence that defines the NICD.

This publication is rich with diverse scientific research content, offering valuable insights into disease surveillance and public health. We encourage you to explore all the studies and recommend that you make time to view the following which sheds light on some of the pressing challenges facing our nation:

• SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance in wastewater as a model for monitoring the evolution of endemic viruses.” This study aimed to identify and characterise SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater samples collected from urban centres across South Africa.
• “Vaccinating people with HIV (PWH) – a short-circuit to an effective HIV vaccine”.
• “Diabetes mellitus mortality by major occupation category in South Africa, 2009-2016”. Published in our Public Health Bulletin, this article highlights the heightened risk of diabetes mellitus mortality across various occupational categories in South Africa, emphasising the need for targeted interventions.

We trust that you will find this issue both informative and enlightening, reflecting the dedication and expertise of our contributors. Thank you for your continued support and engagement with Science Focus.