I am an Associate Professor in the Division of Clinical Anatomy at Stellenbosch University with a PhD in Sleep Neuroscience. My primary research focus is paediatric sleep health, including the validation of consumer-grade sleep technologies and the influence of socio-environmental determinants of sleep in diverse populations. I lead the Sleep Health Research Group, where we work to generate robust local evidence that contributes to the global understanding of child sleep health.

Alongside my research, I teach neuroanatomy across undergraduate and postgraduate health sciences programmes and supervise students at BSc Honours, Master’s, and PhD level. My teaching has been recognised with awards such as the Phillip V. Tobias and Convocation Award for Distinguished Pre-Clinical Teaching, and I was honoured in 2017 as one of the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans.

In addition to my sleep research, I pursue a secondary interest in anatomical sciences education, with projects exploring strategies to reduce dissection-related anxiety, the use of 3D teaching modalities in neuroanatomy, and the role of generative artificial intelligence in medical education. I also contribute to the broader scientific community as a member of the Scientific Subcommittee of the South African Society for Sleep and Health and as sleep indicator lead for the Healthy Active Kids South Africa Report Card.