Position: Lecturer and Phytotherapy Coordinator - School of Natural Medicine
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 3886
Email: jcampbell@uwc.ac.za
He completed a four-year diploma in Phytotherapy obtained from the College of Phytotherapy (Herbal Medicine) England, which formed the academic foundation to further feed the desire for knowledge and understanding of herbal medicine / medicinal plants, their healing ability, nutritional value, safety and so forth. Furthermore, he completed his MSc (Cum Laude) through the South African Herbal Science and Medicine Institute (SAHSMI), Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and is currently busy with a PhD at the Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, UWC.
The topic for his master’s was ‘The impact of storage time and seasonal harvesting on biomarker levels of Lessertia frutescens’ and at present he is investigating the impact climate change may have on an indigenous medicinal plant of South Africa for his PhD, titled ‘The impact of drought and salinity on physiology and antioxidant activity in Leonotis leonurus’.
He was the Director of the School of Natural Medicine (SoNM), Faculty of Community and Health Sciences at UWC for 11 years, as well as the Coordinator of the Phytotherapy programme. Having stepped down from Directorship in order to focus on professional and personal development, he remains the Coordinator of the Phytotherapy programme for SoNM. Balancing leadership of SoNMl, coordinating the Phytotherapy programme, coordinating the community engagement initiatives for the School, full time lecturing and supervising at the clinics, serving as a board member on the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA), with private practice and postgraduate part-time studies has been an enlightening, life changing and rewarding experience.
He has attended many national and international conferences/seminars pertaining to traditional medicine either in China, India or South Africa, either as session chair or keynote speaker. Three stand out events for him was the signing of Memorandum of Understanding: Central Council for research in Unani Medicine, Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi / University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Republic of South Africa, Signed in New Dehli on the 06 August 2010.
Hands down his favourite subject is materia medica, taught to the B Complementary Medicines (Phytotherapy) fourth- and fifth-year students, as well as herbal medicine lectured to the Naturopathic fourth year students. Other focal areas are herbal pharmacology, herbal pharmacy, herbal nutrition, preventative medicine, diet and lifestyle, environmental influences on plants and their constituents, as well as energetics. The ‘bigger picture’, the philosophy of the ‘whole is greater than the sum of its parts’ and wisdom from a diversity of ancestors - how does it all tie in to our physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Believing education plays a fundamental role in achieving a greater understanding and possible commitment and accountability as an individual for one’s own healthcare. Yet how is this achieved while communities throughout South Africa living in rural areas, low cost housing developments and informal settlements on the outskirts of towns and cities are being adversely affected by the increased number of illnesses presenting. While the world today strives towards globalization and becoming more similar through this process, simultaneously it continues to increase in diversity. One would need to understand the complications of the illness, the environment, possible nutritional application and food/medicinal gardens concepts, while educating that without the natural world, environment and the plant world who knows until it is possibly too late.
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 3886
Email: jcampbell@uwc.ac.za
Biography
James Campbell was born on the 15th January 1964 in Glasgow, Scotland and later moved to Cape Town, South Africa just before he was three years of age with his parents having immigrated to this country. After having attended Parow Central Primary and Fairmont High School and working in entirely different fields, the intuitive fascination with plants as intellectual beings and what part they play in the health and wellbeing of the human race (and the earth as a whole), started to consciously come to the fore.He completed a four-year diploma in Phytotherapy obtained from the College of Phytotherapy (Herbal Medicine) England, which formed the academic foundation to further feed the desire for knowledge and understanding of herbal medicine / medicinal plants, their healing ability, nutritional value, safety and so forth. Furthermore, he completed his MSc (Cum Laude) through the South African Herbal Science and Medicine Institute (SAHSMI), Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and is currently busy with a PhD at the Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, UWC.
The topic for his master’s was ‘The impact of storage time and seasonal harvesting on biomarker levels of Lessertia frutescens’ and at present he is investigating the impact climate change may have on an indigenous medicinal plant of South Africa for his PhD, titled ‘The impact of drought and salinity on physiology and antioxidant activity in Leonotis leonurus’.
He was the Director of the School of Natural Medicine (SoNM), Faculty of Community and Health Sciences at UWC for 11 years, as well as the Coordinator of the Phytotherapy programme. Having stepped down from Directorship in order to focus on professional and personal development, he remains the Coordinator of the Phytotherapy programme for SoNM. Balancing leadership of SoNMl, coordinating the Phytotherapy programme, coordinating the community engagement initiatives for the School, full time lecturing and supervising at the clinics, serving as a board member on the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA), with private practice and postgraduate part-time studies has been an enlightening, life changing and rewarding experience.
He has attended many national and international conferences/seminars pertaining to traditional medicine either in China, India or South Africa, either as session chair or keynote speaker. Three stand out events for him was the signing of Memorandum of Understanding: Central Council for research in Unani Medicine, Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi / University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Republic of South Africa, Signed in New Dehli on the 06 August 2010.
Hands down his favourite subject is materia medica, taught to the B Complementary Medicines (Phytotherapy) fourth- and fifth-year students, as well as herbal medicine lectured to the Naturopathic fourth year students. Other focal areas are herbal pharmacology, herbal pharmacy, herbal nutrition, preventative medicine, diet and lifestyle, environmental influences on plants and their constituents, as well as energetics. The ‘bigger picture’, the philosophy of the ‘whole is greater than the sum of its parts’ and wisdom from a diversity of ancestors - how does it all tie in to our physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Believing education plays a fundamental role in achieving a greater understanding and possible commitment and accountability as an individual for one’s own healthcare. Yet how is this achieved while communities throughout South Africa living in rural areas, low cost housing developments and informal settlements on the outskirts of towns and cities are being adversely affected by the increased number of illnesses presenting. While the world today strives towards globalization and becoming more similar through this process, simultaneously it continues to increase in diversity. One would need to understand the complications of the illness, the environment, possible nutritional application and food/medicinal gardens concepts, while educating that without the natural world, environment and the plant world who knows until it is possibly too late.
Publications
- Wang Heyu，MA Xuesheng，LI Chunna，Campbell James. Optimum Extraction Process of Luteoloside and Oleuropein in Olea Europaea Subsp. Africana. Journal of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,18(5):72
Position: Lecturer in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture - School of Natural Medicine
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 9513
Email: wcassiem@uwc.ac.za
Dr Cassiem has held positions such as a member of the Education Committee and as Council representative for the profession of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture at the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA). She currently serves as an External Evaluator for the Expert Committee of Complementary Medicines Committee (Clinical Sub-Committee) at the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) (2017- to date). She is currently serving as a departmental representative on UWC CHS Faculty committees such as Learning and Teaching Committee, Public Relations Committee, and as Secundus to the Student Academic Planning Committee. Dr Cassiem contributes widely in terms of health education and awareness by having hosted radio talk shows, radio interviews, published health related articles in community newspapers publications, television interview, outreach programs and a private clinic situated within the community. She has presented at many national conferences and chaired forums at international conferences.
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 9513
Email: wcassiem@uwc.ac.za
Biography
Dr Wagheda Cassiem, a registered Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (CMA) practitioner, is a lecturer and clinical supervisor at the School of Natural Medicine (SoNM), University of the Western Cape since 2008. She was one of the first two students to graduate from the SoNM in CMA in 2007. Dr Cassiem holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree, Bachelor of Science Complementary Health Sciences degree (BSc CHS), Bachelor of Complementary Medicine Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (BCM CMA) (Summa Cum Laude) degree and a Master of Science in Medical Biosciences (MSc MBS), all from UWC. She also obtained a Certificate in Advance Clinical Training in Dermatology (Wuhan, PRC). Her MSc focus was on the anti-proliferative effect of Chinese herbal medicine on human colon cancer cells. She is currently a PhD candidate at the MBS department with the focus being on the antioxidant and antiproliferative effect of the South African apricot kernel extract on human colon cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus.Dr Cassiem has held positions such as a member of the Education Committee and as Council representative for the profession of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture at the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA). She currently serves as an External Evaluator for the Expert Committee of Complementary Medicines Committee (Clinical Sub-Committee) at the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) (2017- to date). She is currently serving as a departmental representative on UWC CHS Faculty committees such as Learning and Teaching Committee, Public Relations Committee, and as Secundus to the Student Academic Planning Committee. Dr Cassiem contributes widely in terms of health education and awareness by having hosted radio talk shows, radio interviews, published health related articles in community newspapers publications, television interview, outreach programs and a private clinic situated within the community. She has presented at many national conferences and chaired forums at international conferences.
Publications
- Cassiem W, de Kock (2019). The anti-proliferative effect of apricot and peach kernel extracts on human colon cancer cells in vitro. MBMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal (2019) 19(32) 1-12
- H Julie, L Hess-April, J Wilkenson, W Cassiem, A Rhoda (2016). African Journal of Health Professions Education: Academics’ Knowledge and Experiences of Interprofessional Education and Practice; African Journal of Health Professions Education (2016) Vol8(2) 222-224.
Position: Lecturer and Coordinator of Naturopathy - School of Natural Medicine
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 2618
Email: wericksenpereira@uwc.ac.za
An alumnus of Harold Cressy High School, a school that played a significant role during the apartheid years. Many of the teachers were actively involved in the anti-apartheid movement and greatly impacted their students. After completing matric, she earned a B Soc Sc at the University of Cape Town, majoring in Psychology and Public Administration. Thereafter, she completed an HDE (PG) and entered the teaching profession, choosing to teach in underprivileged areas. Due to the issues she became aware of while teaching, she enrolled in and completed a B.Ed (PG) degree at the University of the Western Cape, and went on to earn a Master’s degree (M.Ed) at the same university.
While living in Auckland, New Zealand, she became aware of the wide variety of complementary medicine courses available in the country. As her interest in complementary medicine grew, she became drawn to naturopathy and began searching for courses to study in that field. She applied to the University of the Western Cape to pursue a BSc in Complementary Medicine followed by a postgraduate B Com Medicine in Naturopathy. Upon acceptance, she returned to Cape Town.
She was elected to serve on the Public Board of Homeopathy, Naturopathy, and Phytotherapy of the Allied Health Professions Council, serving from 2012 to 2020. In 2021, she was elected to the Allied Health Professions Council as the naturopathy representative, and in 2022, she became the Chairperson of the Council, a position she currently holds. She began teaching in the School of Natural Medicine in the Naturopathy modality, and in 2014, she was appointed coordinator of the Naturopathy program, a position she still occupies. As a result of the challenges facing naturopathy, she completed a PhD in Naturopathy, one of the few in Africa. Her thesis title is "A model for Naturopathy within the South African Healthcare system." Due to the research generated from her PhD, she was able to benchmark the naturopathy program to international standards, develop a model to demonstrate how naturopathy can work in a public healthcare system and developed a new curriculum for the teaching of Naturopathy, grounded in South African culture and aligned with legislative requirements. Graduates of the program can be found in private practice, working as Naturopaths in international health resorts and in various positions within the health system.
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 2618
Email: wericksenpereira@uwc.ac.za
An alumnus of Harold Cressy High School, a school that played a significant role during the apartheid years. Many of the teachers were actively involved in the anti-apartheid movement and greatly impacted their students. After completing matric, she earned a B Soc Sc at the University of Cape Town, majoring in Psychology and Public Administration. Thereafter, she completed an HDE (PG) and entered the teaching profession, choosing to teach in underprivileged areas. Due to the issues she became aware of while teaching, she enrolled in and completed a B.Ed (PG) degree at the University of the Western Cape, and went on to earn a Master’s degree (M.Ed) at the same university.
While living in Auckland, New Zealand, she became aware of the wide variety of complementary medicine courses available in the country. As her interest in complementary medicine grew, she became drawn to naturopathy and began searching for courses to study in that field. She applied to the University of the Western Cape to pursue a BSc in Complementary Medicine followed by a postgraduate B Com Medicine in Naturopathy. Upon acceptance, she returned to Cape Town.
She was elected to serve on the Public Board of Homeopathy, Naturopathy, and Phytotherapy of the Allied Health Professions Council, serving from 2012 to 2020. In 2021, she was elected to the Allied Health Professions Council as the naturopathy representative, and in 2022, she became the Chairperson of the Council, a position she currently holds. She began teaching in the School of Natural Medicine in the Naturopathy modality, and in 2014, she was appointed coordinator of the Naturopathy program, a position she still occupies. As a result of the challenges facing naturopathy, she completed a PhD in Naturopathy, one of the few in Africa. Her thesis title is "A model for Naturopathy within the South African Healthcare system." Due to the research generated from her PhD, she was able to benchmark the naturopathy program to international standards, develop a model to demonstrate how naturopathy can work in a public healthcare system and developed a new curriculum for the teaching of Naturopathy, grounded in South African culture and aligned with legislative requirements. Graduates of the program can be found in private practice, working as Naturopaths in international health resorts and in various positions within the health system.
Publications
- 2018: An overview of the history and development of Naturopathy in South Africa. Health SA 23:1078.
- 2020: An exploration of the professional identity, practices and role of naturopaths in South Africa. BMC Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine 20:139.
- 2021: A comparative analysis and evaluation of the naturopathic curriculum in South Africa. African Journal of Health Professions Education 13i4.1276.
Position: Lecturer and Unani-Tibb Coordinator - School of Natural Medicine
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 2615
Email: mahoosen@uwc.ac.za
Dr. Hoosen has made significant contributions to advancing Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) in South Africa and Africa. His experience includes representation on expert committees for the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), Government of India. The WHO appointed him as the country lead for various pioneering global projects in TCIM, which include developing Benchmarks for the Training, Practice, and Medical Terminology of Unani Medicine from 2018 to 2022. In 2022, he was honoured to represent South Africa at the opening ceremony of the Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in India. In 2023, he was invited to present on TCIM in South Africa and chaired a scientific session at the inaugural WHO Global Summit for Traditional Medicine in India. In 2024, Dr. Hoosen was nominated by WHO as the Focal Point for the first Field Test of ICD-11 for Traditional Medicine in Africa and served on the Technical Coordination Committee for the GTMC. He is currently leading the WHO flagship initiative, Information Network for Traditional Health (In4TH), of the GTMC in South Africa.
Dr. Hoosen has made considerable contributions to education, clinical practice, research, standards, and promotion of Unani Tibb (Medicine) within South Africa. He has previously held the position of chairperson of the South African Tibb Association and is currently a research and education consultant for the Ibn Sina Institute of Tibb. Through these organizations, he has facilitated numerous community-based projects, workshops, presentations, and seminars for healthcare professionals, educators, and the public, employing various multimedia platforms including radio, television, podcasts, and publications.
His areas of research encompass TCIM, Unani Tibb (Medicine), spirituality, spiritual care, Tibb an Nabawi (Prophetic Medicine), illness management and therapeutics. Dr. Hoosen has conducted more than 30 invited presentations at leading international research and educational institutions across several countries. He also serves as an international advisor and expert peer reviewer for numerous high-level scientific committees focused on TCIM and Unani Medicine. He currently serves on the editorial advisory boards of many leading TCIM and Unani Medicine international journals.
Online profiles: LinkedIn, ResearchGate, Google Scholar.
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 2615
Email: mahoosen@uwc.ac.za
Biography
Dr. Mujeeb Hoosen serves as the Coordinator of Unani Tibb (Medicine) at the School of Natural Medicine (SoNM) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). He holds a Bachelor of Complementary Health Sciences, a Bachelor of Complementary Medicine (Unani Tibb), a Master of Science in Medical Bioscience, and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies of Children, Families and Society, all obtained from UWC. He is a registered Unani Tibb practitioner with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) under the Department of Health of South Africa.Dr. Hoosen has made significant contributions to advancing Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) in South Africa and Africa. His experience includes representation on expert committees for the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), Government of India. The WHO appointed him as the country lead for various pioneering global projects in TCIM, which include developing Benchmarks for the Training, Practice, and Medical Terminology of Unani Medicine from 2018 to 2022. In 2022, he was honoured to represent South Africa at the opening ceremony of the Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in India. In 2023, he was invited to present on TCIM in South Africa and chaired a scientific session at the inaugural WHO Global Summit for Traditional Medicine in India. In 2024, Dr. Hoosen was nominated by WHO as the Focal Point for the first Field Test of ICD-11 for Traditional Medicine in Africa and served on the Technical Coordination Committee for the GTMC. He is currently leading the WHO flagship initiative, Information Network for Traditional Health (In4TH), of the GTMC in South Africa.
Dr. Hoosen has made considerable contributions to education, clinical practice, research, standards, and promotion of Unani Tibb (Medicine) within South Africa. He has previously held the position of chairperson of the South African Tibb Association and is currently a research and education consultant for the Ibn Sina Institute of Tibb. Through these organizations, he has facilitated numerous community-based projects, workshops, presentations, and seminars for healthcare professionals, educators, and the public, employing various multimedia platforms including radio, television, podcasts, and publications.
His areas of research encompass TCIM, Unani Tibb (Medicine), spirituality, spiritual care, Tibb an Nabawi (Prophetic Medicine), illness management and therapeutics. Dr. Hoosen has conducted more than 30 invited presentations at leading international research and educational institutions across several countries. He also serves as an international advisor and expert peer reviewer for numerous high-level scientific committees focused on TCIM and Unani Medicine. He currently serves on the editorial advisory boards of many leading TCIM and Unani Medicine international journals.
Online profiles: LinkedIn, ResearchGate, Google Scholar.
Publications
- Zaboohi, Z., Hoosen, M., Taheri-Kharameh, Z. (2025). Spiritual Interventions in Neurovascular Rehabilitation: A Review of Psychological and Vascular Outcomes. Journal of Vessels and Circulation, (In-Press - Article Code: A-10-63-5)
- Hoosen, M., Roman, N. V., Mthembu, T. G., & Naseer, M. (2025). Transforming Unani Tibb: Integrating Spiritual Care in Clinical Practice through Consensus. Journal of Health, Spirituality and Medical Ethics. http://dx.doi.org/10.32598/hsmej.12.2.664.1
- Hoosen, M., Roman, N. V., Mthembu, T. G., & Naseer, M. (2024). Unani Tibb Students’ and Educators’ Perceptions of Spirituality and Spiritual Care in Education in South Africa: A Mixed-methods Study. The African Journal of Health Professions Education, 16(3), e1625. https://doi.org/10.7196/AJHPE.2024.v16i3.1625
- Hoosen, M., Roman, N. V., & Mthembu, T. G., & Naseer, M. (2023). Unani Tibb practitioners' perceptions and attitudes towards spirituality and spiritual care in Unani Tibb practice in South Africa. BMC Complement Medicine Therapies, 3(1), 189. https://doi:10.1186/s12906-023-04002-y
- Hoosen, M., Roman, N. V., Mthembu, T. G. (2020) The Development of Guidelines for the Inclusion of Spirituality and Spiritual Care in Unani Tibb Practice in South Africa: A Study Protocol. Journal of Religion and Health, 61(2), 1261-1281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01105-5
- Hoosen, M., Roman, N. V., Mthembu, T. G. (2021) The role of spirituality and spiritual care in complementary and alternative medicine: A scoping review. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science, 20(4), 714–724. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v20i4.54125
- Roman, N. V., Mthembu, T. G., Hoosen, M. (2020) Spiritual Care - ‘A Deeper Immunity’ - A response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 12(1), a2456. https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v12i1.2456
- Hoosen, M., Pool, E. J. (2019) An in vitro study to elucidate the effects of Septilin, Artemisia afra and Aspalathus linearis on immune pathways - RAW 264.7 macrophages. International Journal of Health and Human Sciences Vol 3:3, 134-145.
- Hoosen, M. (2019) A Review article: The effects Aspalathus linearis (rooibos tea) on Nitric Oxide (NO) and Cytokine Activity. International Journal of Health and Human Sciences Vol 3:3, 150-157.
- Hoosen, M. (2018) A Review article: The Immunomodulatory, Nitric Oxide and Cytokine activity of Septilin. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 15:02, 172-177.
- Hoosen, M., Pool, E. J. (2018) An in vitro study to elucidate the effects of Septilin on immune pathways. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 15:02, 172-177.
- Hoosen, M. (2017) Temperament – an important principle for health preservation in Tibb an-Nabawi and Unani-Tibb. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science, Vol. 16:04, 487-495.
Networks
- The World Health Organization – Global Traditional Medicine Centre (India)
- The Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), Government of India
- The Central Council of Research of Unani Medicine, Government of India
- The Unani Medicine Faculty, Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College at Muslim Aligarh University (India)
- The School of Unani Medical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard University (India)
- The National Institute of Unani Medicine (India)
- Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division, Ministry of Health (Malaysia)
- The School of Traditional Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Iran)
- The School of Health and Religion, Qom University of Medical Sciences (Iran)
- Department of Traditional Persian Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences (Iran)
- The Department of Indigenous Medicine, Colombo University (Sri Lanka)
- The South African Tibb Association (South Africa)
- The Ibn Sina Institute of Tibb (South Africa)
Position: Senior Lecturer and Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Coordinator - School of Natural Medicine
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 2604
Email: xma@uwc.ac.za
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 2604
Email: xma@uwc.ac.za
Biography
Dr Xuesheng Ma is a senior lecturer of University of the Western Cape (UWC) in School of Natural Medicine (SoNM), works in UWC from 2008 to now. He obtained a bachelor of Acupuncture (1997), Master of Chinese Medicine on 2000 from Shandong University of Chinese Medicine (SDUTCM), PhD of Chinese Medicine in 2007 from SDUTCM, China. He is a registered doctor in Chinese medicine and Acupuncturist with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa, and with Department of Health of China. As the coordinator of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture at SoNM, his teaching focus includes clinical acupuncture, Chinese herbal formula, Internal medicine of Chinese Medicine, Tuina and Taichi, clinical practice supervision of Chinese medicine and acupuncture in UWC Interprofessional Healthcare Centre. He supervises PhD student and master students in UWC, as well as honors students in SoNM. His researches focus in African Traditional Medicine systematization and innovation, indigenous medicine plants in South Africa, anti-diabetic herb research, acupuncture in stroke management, chronic pain management in Chinese medicine, acupuncture for substance abuse, as well Medical Artificial Intelligence particularly AI for blood glucose monitor. He is active in professional service in Chinese Medicine nationally and internationally，serves as deputy Chairperson (academic) of South African Association of Chinese medicine and Acupuncture (2021 to now), executive council member of World Federal of Chinese Medicine Society (2013 to now), member the 10th Executive Committee at the 10th General Assembly of World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (2022 to now).Publications
- Lu Luo; Tianju Li; Kai Du; Zhiyi Huang; Liesaputra Veronica; Yuan-Ting Zhang; Xuesheng Ma;Yuan Zhang. A High Dynamic Range SpO2 Measurement Method Using a Smartphone Camera. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement，2025，DOI: 10.1109/TIM.2025.3548252
- Shisen Chen; Fen Qin; Xuesheng Ma; Jie Wei; Yuan-Ting Zhang, Yang zhang: Emil Jovanov. Multi-View Cross-Fusion Transformer Based on Kinetic Features for Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Measurement Using PPG Signal. IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics,2024, [DOI: 10.1109/JBHI.2024.3351867]
- Gaobo Zhang , Zhen Mei , Yuan Zhang , Xuesheng Ma , Benny Lo , Dongyi Chen ; Yuanting Zhang. A Non-invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring System Based on Smartphone PPG Signal Processing and Machine Learning. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics,2020, [DOI:10.1109/TII.2020.2975222]
- Guangyuan Xu, Wen Sun, Xuan Guo, Lili Wu, Yi Hou, Xuesheng Ma, Lingling Qin, Ming Gao, Tonghua Liu. Asiatic acid promotes liver fatty acid metabolism in diabetic models.Int J Clin Exp Med 2018;11(11):11837-11845
- Wen Sun,Guangyuan Xu,Xuan Guo,Guangbin Luo, Lili Wu, Yi Hou, Xiangyu Guo, Jingxin Zhou, Tunhai Xu, Lingling Qin, Yixin Fan, Li Han, Motlalepula Matsabisa, Xuesheng Ma, and Tonghua Liu. Protective effects of asiatic acid in a spontaneous type 2 diabetic mouse model. Molecular Medicine Report 2017; DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6684
- Xuesheng Ma, Y Zhou, X Wang, Q Liu, X Wang. The Effects of Hua-Zhuo-Xing-Xue Decoction in Treating Ischaemic Cerebral Injury in Rats as Evidenced in the Measurement of Cerebral Infarction Volume and Cellular Apoptosis. Journal of World Science and Technology／Modernisation of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Materia Medica, 2008,10(1): 76–79.
Peer Reviewed Book Chapters
- Xuesheng Ma, Juliana Meredith. 2020.Herbal medicine for the treatment of andrologic diseases: Traditional Chinese medicine. In: Herbal Medicine in Andrology-An evidence-based updated. Ed: Agarwal A, Henkel R. Elsevier, Amsterdam, Holland: In Press (November 2020). ISBN: 9780128155653.
Head of School
Position: Associate Professor and Chairperson - School of Natural Medicine
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 9515
Email: kleisegang@uwc.ac.za
His academic contributions are further supported by a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education Studies (Teaching and Learning), which he completed at UWC in 2015. He also holds certifications in Health Data Analysis, Good Clinical Practice, Values-Based Leadership, and Randomised Clinical Trials, amongst others. He further currently serves as the Chairperson of the UWC Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (BMREC), where he supports the ethical oversight of student and staff research activities.
Prof Leisegang coordinates the Clinical Science training modules at SoNM, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students in pathology, general medicine, clinical diagnostics, alongside research methodology. His postgraduate supervision includes completed and ongoing MSc and PhD students in Medical Bioscience, Sports Science and Public Health. His primary research interests focus on male reproductive health in the context of obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. He also investigates the potential of nutritional supplements, antioxidants, and traditional medicinal herbs as novel therapeutic interventions.
Prof Leisegang has authored over 55 peer-reviewed journal articles and academic book chapters, with over 25 presentations at national and international academic meetings. His scholarly work has been recognised through both institutional and international research awards. He is a peer-review expert for more than 30 international journals, including an Academic Editor for the journal Andrologia, and actively contributes to the development of research quality and integrity within the faculty. Prof Leisegang has previously collaborated as a faculty member and research mentor with the American Centre for Reproductive Medicine (Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA), and continues to engage in collaborative international research projects with colleagues from North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Beyond academia, he has a strong history of professional service, having served as a regional and national representative of the Homoeopathic Association of South Africa (HSA). He has contributed to public education through articles in commercial publications, public presentations and represented both UWC and the HSA in television and radio interviews on health-related topics. Recently, this further includes eBook and podcasts on research focus in male testosterone (hypogonadism), herbal medicine, and sexual dysfunction.
Further information can be found at ResearchGate, LinkedIn and Google Scholar
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 9515
Email: kleisegang@uwc.ac.za
Biography
Prof Kristian Leisegang is an Associate Professor and Chairperson of the School of Natural Medicine (SoNM) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). He obtained his Master of Technology in Homoeopathy (M.Tech.Hom) in 2007 from the Durban University of Technology, and completed a PhD in Medical Bioscience at UWC in 2014. He is a registered homoeopathic practitioner with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA), Department of Health.His academic contributions are further supported by a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education Studies (Teaching and Learning), which he completed at UWC in 2015. He also holds certifications in Health Data Analysis, Good Clinical Practice, Values-Based Leadership, and Randomised Clinical Trials, amongst others. He further currently serves as the Chairperson of the UWC Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (BMREC), where he supports the ethical oversight of student and staff research activities.
Prof Leisegang coordinates the Clinical Science training modules at SoNM, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students in pathology, general medicine, clinical diagnostics, alongside research methodology. His postgraduate supervision includes completed and ongoing MSc and PhD students in Medical Bioscience, Sports Science and Public Health. His primary research interests focus on male reproductive health in the context of obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. He also investigates the potential of nutritional supplements, antioxidants, and traditional medicinal herbs as novel therapeutic interventions.
Prof Leisegang has authored over 55 peer-reviewed journal articles and academic book chapters, with over 25 presentations at national and international academic meetings. His scholarly work has been recognised through both institutional and international research awards. He is a peer-review expert for more than 30 international journals, including an Academic Editor for the journal Andrologia, and actively contributes to the development of research quality and integrity within the faculty. Prof Leisegang has previously collaborated as a faculty member and research mentor with the American Centre for Reproductive Medicine (Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA), and continues to engage in collaborative international research projects with colleagues from North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Beyond academia, he has a strong history of professional service, having served as a regional and national representative of the Homoeopathic Association of South Africa (HSA). He has contributed to public education through articles in commercial publications, public presentations and represented both UWC and the HSA in television and radio interviews on health-related topics. Recently, this further includes eBook and podcasts on research focus in male testosterone (hypogonadism), herbal medicine, and sexual dysfunction.
Further information can be found at ResearchGate, LinkedIn and Google Scholar
Publications
Recent Peer Reviewed Scientific Publications (2022 - 2025)- Mottola F, Finelli R, Feola V, Leisegang K, Rocco L. 2025. The influence of small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC)15 on male primary infertility: A case study. Case Reports in Medicine [Accepted and in press April 2025]
- Tendwa B, Morris A, Opuwari CS, Leisegang K, Finelli R, Zenoaga-Barbăroșie C, Henkel R. Aqueous extractions of Mondia whitei root improve human sperm function in vitro. South African Journal of Botany 2024;171:77-84. doi: doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2024.05.055. [Journal IF = 3.1]
- Leisegang K, Finelli R, Henkel R, Zenoaga-Barbăroșie C. The effect of aqueous Lessertia frutescens extract on TM3 Leydig cells exposed to TNF-α in vitro. Frontiers in BioScience Landmark 2023;28(9):213. doi: 10.31083/j.fbl2809213. [Journal IF = 4.0]
- Leisegang K, Opuwari CS, Moichela F, Finelli R. Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines in the Treatment of Ejaculatory Disorders: A Systematic Review. Medicina 2023;59(9):1607. doi: 10.3390/medicina59091607. [Journal IF = 2.6]
- Leisegang K, Finelli R, Moungala L, Moichela F, Pearce K, Ramasamy R, Henkel R. The impact of COVID-19 vaccines on male semen parameters: A retrospective cohort study. Andrologia 2023. Article ID: 7826568. doi: 10.1155/2023/7826568 [Journal IF = 2.8]
- Hansen A, Engel-Hills P, Jacobs C, Blitz J, Cooke R, Hess L, Leisegang K, Naidoo N, Volschenk M, van Schalkwyk S. Understandings and practices: Towards socially responsive curricula for the health professions. Advances in Health Sciences Education 2023;28:1131-1149. doi: 10.1007/s10459-023-10207-0 [Journal IF: 3.8]
- Majzoub A, Elbardisi H, Madani S, Leisegang K, Mahdi M, Agarwal A, Henkel R, Khalafalla K, ElSaid S, Arafa M. Impact of body composition analysis on male sexual function: A metabolic age study. Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023;13:1050441. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1050441 [Journal IF: 5.6]
- Agarwal A, Cannarella R, Saleh R, Boitrelle F, Gül M, Toprak T, Salvio G, Arafa M, Russo GI, Harraz AM, Singh R, Garrido N, Hamoda TAA, Rambhatla A, Kavoussi P, Kuroda S, Çalik G, Saini P, Ceyhan E, Dimitriadis F, Henkel R, Crafa A, Palani A, Duran MB, Maziotis E, Saïs É, Bendayan M, Darbandi M, Le TV, Gunes S, Tsioulou P, Sengupta P, Hazir B, Çeker G, Darbandi S, Durairajanayagam D, Aghamajidi A, Alkhalidi N, Sogutdelen E, Leisegang K, et al. Impact of varicocele repair on semen parameters in infertile men: A systematic review and meta-analysis. World Journal of Men’s Health 2023;41(2):289-310. doi: 10.5534/wjmh.220142. [Journal IF = 6.5]
- Daniels CC, Isaacs Z, Finelli R, Leisegang K. The efficacy of Zingiber officinale on dyslipidaemia, blood pressure, and inflammation as cardiovascular risk factors: A systematic review. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN 2022;51:72-82. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.08.031 [Journal IF = 2.4]
- Leisegang K, Finelli R, Sikka SC, Panner Selvam MK. Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) improves serum total testosterone in men: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Medicina 2022;58(8):1047. doi: 1648-9144/58/8/104 [Journal IF = 2.6] [Special Issue: Obesity and Inflammation: Epidemiology, Risk, Factors, and Markers of Inflammation]
- Sadeghi N, Tavalaee M, Shahverdi A, Sengupta P, Leisegang K, Saleh R, Agarwal A, Nasr-Esfahani M-H. Vulnerability of the male reproductive system to SARS-CoV-2 invasion: Potential role for the endoplasmic reticulum chaperone Grp78/HSPA5/BiP. Cell Journal 2022;24(8):427-433. doi: 10.22074/cellj.2022.8312. [Journal IF = 2.4]
- Henkel R, Morris A, Vogiatzi P, Saleh R, Sallam H, Boitrelle F, Garrido N, Arafa M, Gül , M, Rambhatla A, Rosas IM, Agarwal A, Leisegang K, Siebert TI. Predictive value of oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) analysis for reproductive outcomes of ICSI cycles. Reproductive Biomedicine Online 2022;45(5):1007-1020. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.05.010. [Journal IF = 3.8]
- Leisegang K. Oxidative stress in men with obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus: mechanisms and management of reproductive dysfunction. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 2022;1358:237-256. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-89340-8_11 [Journal Published Book Chapter] [Journal IF = 2.6]
- Agarwal A, Finelli R, Durairajanayagam D, Leisegang K, Henkel R, Salvio G, Aghamajidi A, Sengupta P, Crisóstomo L, Tsioulou PA, Roychoudhury S, Finocchi F, Darbandi M, Mottola F, Darbandi S, Iovine C, Santonastaso M, Zaker H, Kesari KK, Nomanzadeh A, Gugnani N, Rambhatla A, Duran MB, Ceyhan E, Kandil H, Arafa M, Saleh R, Shah R, Ko E, Boitrelle F. Comprehensive analysis of global research on human varicocele: a scientometric approach. World Journal of Men’s Health 2022;40(4):636-652. doi: 10.5534/wjmh.210202. [Journal IF = 6.5]
- Gupta S, Sharma R, Agarwal A, Boitrelle F, Finelli R, Farkouh A, Saleh R, Abdel-Meguid TA, Gül M, Zilaitiene B, Ko E, Rambhatla A, Zini A, Leisegang K, Kuroda S, Henkel R, Cannarella R, Palani A, Cho CL, Ho CCK, Zylbersztejn DS, Pescatori E, Chung E, Dimitriadis F, Pinggera GM, Busetto GM, Balercia G, Salvio G, Colpi GM, Çeker G, Taniguchi H, Kandil H, Park HJ, Maldonado Rosas I, de la Rosette J, Cardoso JPG, Ramsay J, Alvarez J, Molina JMC, Khalafalla K, Bowa K, Tremellen K, Evgeni E, Rocco L, Rodriguez Peña MG, Sabbaghian M, Martinez M, Arafa M, Al-Marhoon MS, Tadros N, Garrido N, Rajmil O, Sengupta P, Vogiatzi P, Kavoussi P, Birowo P, Kosgi R, Bani-Hani S, Micic S, Parekattil S, Jindal S, Le TV, Mostafa T, Toprak T, Morimoto Y, Malhotra V, Aghamajidi A, Durairajanayagam D, Shah R. Antisperm antibody testing: A comprehensive review of its role in the management of immunological male infertility and results of a global survey of clinical practices. World Journal of Men’s Health 2022;40(3):380-398. doi: 10.5534/wjmh.210164. [Journal IF = 6.5]
- Leisegang K, Jimenez M, Durairajanayagam D, Finelli R, Majzoub A, Henkel R, Agarwal A. A systematic review of herbal medicine in the clinical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Phytomedicine Plus 2022;2(1):100153. doi: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2021.100153
- Agarwal A, Sharma RK, Gupta S, Boitrelle F, Finelli R, Parekh N, Durairajanayagam D, Saleh R, Arafa M, Cho CL, Farkouh A, Rambhatla A, Henkel R, Vogiatzi P, Tadros N, Kavoussi P, Ko E, Leisegang K, Kandil H, Palani A, Salvio G, Mostafa T, Rajmil O, Banihani SA, Schon S, Le TV, Birowo P, Çeker G, Alvarez J, Molina JMC, Ho CCK, Calogero AE, Khalafalla K, Duran MB, Kuroda S, Colpi GM, Zini A, Anagnostopoulou C, Pescatori E, Chung E, Caroppo E, Dimitriadis F, Pinggera GM, Busetto GM, Balercia G, Elbardisi H, Taniguchi H, Park HJ, Maldonado Rosas I, de la Rosette J, Ramsay J, Bowa K, Simopoulou M, Rodriguez MG, Sabbaghian M, Martinez M, Gilani MAS, Al-Marhoon MS, Kosgi R, Cannarella R, Micic S, Fukuhara S, Parekattil S, Jindal S, Abdel-Meguid TA, Morimoto Y, Shah R. Sperm vitality and necrozoospermia: Diagnosis, management, and results of a global survey of clinical practice. World Journal of Men’s Health 2022;40(2):228-242. doi: 10.5534/wjmh.210149. [Journal IF = 6.5]
- Majzoub A, Arafa M, Clemens H, Imperial J, Leisegang K, Khalafalla K, Agarwal A, Henkel R, Elbardisi H. A systemic review and meta-analysis exploring the predictors of sperm retrieval in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia and chromosomal abnormalities. Andrologia 2022;54(3):e14303. doi: 10.1111/and.14303. [Journal IF = 2.8]
- Finelli R, Leisegang K, Kandil H, Agarwal A. Oxidative stress: A comprehensive review of biochemical, molecular, and genetic aspects in the pathogenesis and management of varicocele. World Journal of Men’s Health 2022;40(1):87-103. doi: 10.5534/wjmh.210153. [Journal IF = 6.5]
- Moichela FT, Henkel RR, Leisegang K. 2024. Seminal oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species testing. In: Male Infertility: Management of Infertile Men in Reproductive Medicine. Ed: Agarwal A, Boitrelle F, Drakopoulos A, Sallam H, Saleh R. Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Pp 157-174. ISBN: 9780323930475.
- Leisegang K. 2021. Herbal Pharmacognosy: An Introduction. In: Herbal Medicine in Andrology. Ed: Agarwal A, Henkel R. Academic Press, Cambridge, MA, USA: pp 17 – 26. ISBN: 9780128155653/60.
- Erasmus LJC and Leisegang K. 2021. Herbal medicines (Zingiber officinale and Epimedium grandiflorum) used to treat andrological problems: Asia and Indian subcontinent. In: Herbal Medicine in Andrology. Ed: Agarwal A, Henkel R. Academic Press, Cambridge, MA, USA: pp 123 – 128. ISBN: 9780128155653/60.
- Leisegang K. 2021. Herbal medicines used to treat andrological problems: Europe (Pinnus pinaster and Urtica dioica). In: Herbal Medicine in Andrology. Ed: Agarwal A, Henkel R. Academic Press, Cambridge, MA, USA: pp 165 – 175. ISBN: 9780128155653/60.
- Agarwal A, Leisegang K, Sengupta P. 2020. Oxidative stress in the pathology of male reproductive pathology. In: Pathology: Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants. Ed: Preedy VR. Academic Press, Cambridge, MA, USA: pp 15 – 27. ISBN: 9780128159729
- Henkel R, Leisegang K. 2020. Origins of sperm DNA damage. In: Male Infertility: Contemporary Clinical Approaches, Andrology, ART and Antioxidants, 2nd Edition. Ed: Parekattil SJ, Esteves S, Agarwal A. Springer, Berlin, Germany: pp 361-375. ISBN: 978-3-030-32300-4.
- Leisegang K, Henkel R 2020. Environmental factors. In: Male Infertility: Contemporary Clinical Approaches, Andrology, ART and Antioxidants, 2nd Edition. Ed: Parekattil SJ, Esteves S, Agarwal A. Springer, Berlin, Germany: pp 361-375. ISBN: 978-3-030-32300-4.
- Leisegang K, Henkel R. 2019. Oxidative stress: Relevance, evaluation, and management. In: Male Infertility in Reproductive Medicine. Ed: Rizk B, Agarwal A, Sabanegh ES. CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group, New York, USA: pp 119 – 128. ISBN-10: 1138599298.
- Leisegang K, Dutta S. 2019. Lifestyle management approaches to male infertility. In: Male Infertility in Reproductive Medicine. Ed: Rizk B, Agarwal A, Sabanegh ES. CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group, New York, USA: pp 141 – 152. ISBN-10: 1138599298.
- Leisegang K. 2019. Malnutrition and obesity. In: Oxidants, Antioxidants and Impact of the Oxidative Status in Male Reproduction. Ed: Henkel R, Samanta L, Agarwal A. Academic Press, London, UK: pp 117 – 134. ISBN: 9780128125014.
- Leisegang K. 2019. Life under aerobic conditions. In: Oxidants, Antioxidants and Impact of the Oxidative Status in Male Reproduction. Ed: Henkel R, Samanta L, Agarwal A. Academic Press, London, UK: pp 3 – 8. ISBN: 9780128125014.
