Sikhulile Moyo
{{Short description|Zimbabwean virologist}}
{{Infobox scientist
| name = Sikhulile Moyo
| birth_place = Zimbabwe
| fields = Immunology, infectious diseases
| workplaces = Botswana–Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
| known_for = Moyo and his laboratory were the first to identify the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant
| alma_mater = University of Zimbabwe
University of Botswana
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Stellenbosch University
| children = 3
| thesis_title = HIV-1C Dynamics and Evolutionary Trends in Botswana
| thesis_url = https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/100312
| doctoral_advisor = Susan Engelbrecht
Tulio de Oliveira
| doctoral_students =
}}
Sikhulile M. Moyo is a Zimbabwean virologist working as the laboratory director of the Botswana–Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership in Gaborone.{{cite web |author1=Associated Press |title=Scientist Says Omicron Was a Group Find |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/scientist-says-omicron-was-a-group-find/6339275.html |website=VOA |access-date=2021-12-18 |language=English |date=December 4, 2021}}{{cite journal | vauthors = Viana R, Moyo S, Amoako DG, Tegally H, Scheepers C, Althaus CL, Anyaneji UJ, Bester PA, Boni MF, Chand M, Choga WT, Colquhoun R, Davids M, Deforche K, Doolabh D, du Plessis L, Engelbrecht S, Everatt J, Giandhari J, Giovanetti M, Hardie D, Hill V, Hsiao NY, Iranzadeh A, Ismail A, Joseph C, Joseph R, Koopile L, Kosakovsky Pond SL, Kraemer MU, Kuate-Lere L, Laguda-Akingba O, Lesetedi-Mafoko O, Lessells RJ, Lockman S, Lucaci AG, Maharaj A, Mahlangu B, Maponga T, Mahlakwane K, Makatini Z, Marais G, Maruapula D, Masupu K, Matshaba M, Mayaphi S, Mbhele N, Mbulawa MB, Mendes A, Mlisana K, Mnguni A, Mohale T, Moir M, Moruisi K, Mosepele M, Motsatsi G, Motswaledi MS, Mphoyakgosi T, Msomi N, Mwangi PN, Naidoo Y, Ntuli N, Nyaga M, Olubayo L, Pillay S, Radibe B, Ramphal Y, Ramphal U, San JE, Scott L, Shapiro R, Singh L, Smith-Lawrence P, Stevens W, Strydom A, Subramoney K, Tebeila N, Tshiabuila D, Tsui J, van Wyk S, Weaver S, Wibmer CK, Wilkinson E, Wolter N, Zarebski AE, Zuze B, Goedhals D, Preiser W, Treurnicht F, Venter M, Williamson C, Pybus OG, Bhiman J, Glass A, Martin DP, Rambaut A, Gaseitsiwe S, von Gottberg A, de Oliveira T | display-authors = 6 | title = Rapid epidemic expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in southern Africa | journal = Nature | volume = 603 | issue = 7902 | pages = 679–686 | date = March 2022 | pmid = 35042229 | doi = 10.1038/s41586-022-04411-y | pmc = 8942855 | bibcode = 2022Natur.603..679V }} He is a research associate in immunology and infectious diseases 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. He completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Zimbabwe in 1996. He completed a master's degree in applied microbiology at the University of Botswana in 2000.{{Cite web|date=2016-06-16|title=Sikhulile Moyo|url=https://aids.harvard.edu/sikhulile-moyo/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Harvard AIDS Initiative|language=en-us}}{{Cite web|title=Sikhulile Moyo|url=https://theconversation.com/profiles/sikhulile-moyo-424505|access-date=2021-12-18|website=The Conversation|date=20 November 2017 |language=en}} 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.{{Cite thesis|title=Modelling the HIV / AIDS in Botswana: the representativeness of the ANC based estimates of HIV prevalence in Botswana and implications for monitoring the epidemic|date=2006|first=Sikhulile|last=Moyo|degree=M.P.H.|publisher=University of Limpopo|oclc=190866981}} Moyo completed a Ph.D. in medical virology at Stellenbosch University in 2016. Tulio de Oliveira was one of his professors. His dissertation was titled Evolutionary trends and dynamics of HIV-1C in Botswana.{{Cite web|date=2016-06-16|title=Sikhulile Moyo|url=https://aids.harvard.edu/sikhulile-moyo/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Harvard AIDS Initiative|language=en-us}}
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.{{Cite web|date=2016-06-16|title=Sikhulile Moyo|url=https://aids.harvard.edu/sikhulile-moyo/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Harvard AIDS Initiative|language=en-us}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Harvard Catalyst Profiles: Sikhulile Moyo|url=https://connects.catalyst.harvard.edu/Profiles/display/Person/93040|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Harvard Catalyst}}
In November 2021, Moyo and his laboratory were the first to identify the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.{{Cite web|last=Kew|first=Janice|date=December 4, 2021|title=Omicron's speed of change worries director of Harvard lab in Botswana|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/04/nation/omicrons-speed-change-worries-director-harvard-lab-botswana/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=The Boston Globe|language=en-US}} Upon discovery, they alerted the Botswanan Ministry of Health on November 22, 2021.{{Cite news|last=Schrieber|first=Melody|date=2021-12-16|title=The scientist in Botswana who identified omicron was saddened by the world's reaction|language=en|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/12/16/1064856213/the-scientist-in-botswana-who-identified-omicron-was-saddened-by-the-worlds-reac|access-date=2021-12-18}} In 2022, Moyo was listed in the Time 100 list.{{Cite magazine |last=Nkengasong |first=John |author-link=John Nkengasong |date=May 23, 2022 |title=Tulio de Oliveira and Sikhulile Moyo: The 100 Most Influential People of 2022 |url=https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2022/6177832/sikhulile-moyo-tulio-de-oliveira/ |access-date=2022-05-23 |magazine=Time |language=en}}
Personal life
Moyo is married and has two sons and a daughter.{{Cite web|date=2016-06-16|title=Sikhulile Moyo|url=https://aids.harvard.edu/sikhulile-moyo/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Harvard AIDS Initiative|language=en-us}} He is a gospel singer and composer.{{Cite web|date=2016-06-16|title=Sikhulile Moyo|url=https://aids.harvard.edu/sikhulile-moyo/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Harvard AIDS Initiative|language=en-us}}
References
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Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Place of birth missing (living people)
Category:Zimbabwean biologists
Category:21st-century biologists
Category:University of Zimbabwe alumni
Category:University of Botswana alumni
Category:Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University alumni
Category:Stellenbosch University alumni