Dr. Bawinile Hadebe | Breast Cancer | Best Researcher Award
Head Clinical Unit, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, South Africa
Dr. Bawinile Pearl-Gene Hadebe is an esteemed Nuclear Medicine specialist, currently serving as the Head of the Nuclear Medicine Department at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in South Africa. She is also an Honorary Lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Bawinile holds an MBChB from the University of Cape Town, with postgraduate qualifications in Nuclear Medicine, including the FCNP(SA) and an MMed. She is pursuing a PhD in Nuclear Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. With a focus on clinical research, her work has made significant contributions to molecular imaging in oncology, particularly in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Bawinile is known for her leadership in training future nuclear medicine specialists and her global impact as a researcher. She has been recognized with numerous awards for her research excellence and academic achievements. Her interests include jogging, traveling, and reading.
Profile
Education
Dr. Bawinile Pearl-Gene Hadebe completed her medical studies at the University of Cape Town, where she earned a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree from 2002 to 2007. Her commitment to advancing her career in nuclear medicine led her to specialize in the field, and she became a Fellow of the College of Nuclear Physicians of South Africa (FCNP) in October 2015. She also holds a Master of Medicine (MMed) degree, where her research on 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography in breast cancer patients earned her significant recognition, with the abstract published in the World Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Currently, Bawinile is a PhD candidate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, focusing on the clinical impact of 68Ga-Pentixafor in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, with a focus on HIV-infected and non-infected patients. Her academic journey has been marked by academic excellence and leadership.
Experience
Dr. Bawinile Pearl-Gene Hadebe has extensive experience in both clinical practice and academic leadership. She currently serves as the Head of the Nuclear Medicine Department at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, where she plays a critical role in patient care and medical education. Her past leadership roles include Acting Academic Head of Department at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Nuclear Medicine Department. Prior to these, she was a Specialist Nuclear Physician at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. Dr. Hadebe’s experience spans both public and academic health institutions, with her expertise in nuclear medicine and imaging helping to shape the next generation of medical professionals. Additionally, she has worked at several hospitals, including Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital and Mmametlhake Community Hospital, contributing to a broad range of patient care and specialized research projects in nuclear medicine and oncology.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Bawinile Pearl-Gene Hadebe has received numerous prestigious awards and honors in recognition of her contributions to the field of nuclear medicine. In 2023, she was awarded the Discovery PhD Fellowship Award, a significant recognition for her ongoing research in molecular imaging and oncology. She also secured the SAMRC self-initiated research fund, providing R200,000 per year for three years (2023–2025) to advance her research. Her groundbreaking work on nuclear imaging techniques has earned her the Vulindlela Holdings research grant of R45,000 for her PhD research. Dr. Hadebe has also earned international accolades, winning the Best International Abstract Award for South Africa at the SNMMI meeting in Toronto (June 2024) and the Best Abstract Award at the iPET meeting in Vienna (October 2024). Her expertise has led to her selection as an international expert at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regional training course in Cairo, Egypt, in August 2024.
Research Focus
Dr. Bawinile Pearl-Gene Hadebe’s research primarily focuses on the application of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging in oncology, specifically in the diagnosis and management of cancers such as oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Her PhD research explores the clinical impact of 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT in evaluating CXCR-4 expression in oropharyngeal SCC in both HIV-infected and non-infected patients. The aim is to assess the diagnostic performance of this molecular imaging technique in the context of KwaZulu-Natal’s unique healthcare challenges. In addition, her earlier work, such as the role of 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography in breast cancer diagnosis, has demonstrated the utility of nuclear medicine in improving the detection and management of malignancies. Dr. Hadebe’s research is not only scientifically significant but also highly relevant to addressing the healthcare needs in resource-constrained settings.
Publication Top Notes
- Current Status of 68Ga-Pentixafor in Solid Tumours 🧬🩺
- Molecular Imaging and Theranostics in Ovarian Cancer: The Role of Nuclear Medicine 🔬💉
- The Clinical Utility of 2-deoxy-2-[18F] Fluoro-d-glucose Positron Emission Tomography in Guiding Myocardial Revascularisation 🫀📊
- The Role of 99m Tc-Mibi Scintimammography in Predicting Malignancy in Patients Suspected to Have Fibroadenomas of the Breast on Mammography 🩻👩⚕️
- Assessing the Diagnostic Accuracy of 99mTc-MIBI Scintimammography in Predicting Malignancy in Patients Suspected to Have Fibroadenomas of the Breast 🩻🔍