B-RATED (Internationally Acclaimed Researchers)
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Prof Alvaro Viljoen has held the position of DSTI-NRF Chair in Phytomedicine since its establishment in 2013. He is also the Director of the TUT-based South African Medical Research Council Herbal Drugs Research Unit since 2015.
Prof Viljoen, whose focus is predominantly on medicinal plant research, has published more than 300 peer-reviewed academic papers. His 300th paper, published in the first quarter of 2024, delves into the realm of “medicinal smoke”, particularly focusing on the Leonotis leonurus, colloquially known as “wild cannabis”.
After years of research, his team unearthed the underlying reasons behind the wild cannabis. The research cohort developed an innovative methodology to isolate and analyse the smoke fraction of this significant plant. This meticulous process unveiled two molecules of paramount importance, shedding light on the pharmacological properties of the plant and its traditional usage in medicinal practices.
His impressive publication record is coupled with a Scopus h-index of 55 and 12 446 citations, cementing his status as a highly cited researcher in TUT. He has presented more than 64 invited lectures at international and national meetings, advocating for medicinal plant research and promoting South Africa’s botanical diversity and indigenous knowledge systems.
He has contributed to the scientific community by serving as an editor for seven journals, including as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology (Elsevier) and reviews editor for Phytochemistry Letters (Elsevier).
He has been the guest editor of five special issues published in high-impact journals in his field. He has supervised more 30 PhD and 75 Master’s students. He has hosted more than 25 Postdoctoral Fellows in his laboratory.
Prof Viljoen is rated B2 by the NRF.