Anxiety and Stress Disorders Research Unit

Contact details

Staff
The Unit enjoys the services and expertise of a number of eminent professionals who include:

• Ms Marina Basson is one of two research registered nurses in the Unit. She is involved in various studies.
• Dr Paul Carey Co-Director of the Brain Imaging Programme. He trained in medicine and psychiatry, and has special interests in functional, magnetic resonance brain imaging of anxiety and substance use disorders, and in postraumatic stress disorder.
• Prof Willie Daniels Director of the Animal Models Project in the Unit. Prof Daniels trained in neuroscience at the universities of the Western Cape and Stellenbosch. He has a particular interest in developmental models of anxiety disorders.
• Prof Robin Emsley is Head of the Dept of Psychiatry at the University of Stellenbosch and is a key advisor in directing research activities and the Mental Health Information Centre.
• Ms Helen Ferret is a clinical psychologist involved in a study on the effects of alcohol abuse on the brain and is currently enrolled in a PhD. 
• Prof Brian Harvey is Co-Director of the Animal Models Project in the Unit. He is currently in the Department of Pharmacology at North West University (Potchefstroom), and has a particular interest in the neuropharmacology of stereotypic behaviour and in animal models of PTSD.
• Dr Sian Hemmings is a post-doctoral fellow in the Unit. She has a particular interest in the genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Mr Jonathan Ipser is a research associate and resident expert in conducting meta-analyses. He has a specific interest in meta-analysis of the treatment of anxiety disorders. He currently heads up the CUBBI (Cross University Brain Behaviour Initiative) and BBI (UCT’s Brain Behaviour Initiative).  
• Ms Robyn Kalan is a research registered nurse in the Unit with a special interest in ICU pediatric and neonatal research, completing her Masters in systematic review.
• Ms Jenna Lawrence is a research psychologist. She is currently working on a TB study.
• Dr Christine Lochner is Co-Director of the Genetics Programme in the Unit. She trained as a clinical psychologist and is particularly interested in the behavioral aspects of OCD, and in linking these with underlying genetic factors.
• Ms Lelanie Marais is a doctoral student in the Unit.
• Dr Hanlie Moolman-Smook, Co-Director of the Genetics Programme, is a scientist at the Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular and Cellular Biology, and supervises work on the genetics of anxiety disorders, particularly OCD.
• Ms Lindi Martin is a research psychologist working with Prof Seedat on various studies.
• Ms Zimbini Ogle is the office manager for the Mental Health Information Centre.
• Ms Karin Pretorius is a research psychologist, involved in various studies.
• Ms Jennifer Ralph is a clinical psychologist who does neuropsychological assessments for various studies.
• Ms Annerine Roos is a doctoral student in Psychiatry and the Technical Supervisor for the Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) imaging system.
• Prof Soraya Seedat is Co-Director of the Unit and Director of the Postraumatic Stress Disorder Unit. She has a particular interest in postraumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents.
• Ms Candice Simmons is a research psychologist in the unit with an interest in OCD, infant health and fetal alcohol syndrome.
• Prof Dan Stein is Director of the Research Unit. He trained in medicine and psychiatry, and has a particular interest in obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders.
• Ms Sharain Suliman is a research psychologist and psychometrist. She has an interest in Post Traumatic Stress Disorders.
• Ms Karin Swanepoel is the administrator of the Unit.
• Dr Bavi Vythilingum is a post-doctoral fellow with interests in genetic and environmental contributions to early anxiety.
• Dr James Warwick, Co- Director of the Brain Imaging Programme, is a nuclear medicine physician at the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Stellenbosch and Tygerberg Hospital. He has a special interest in functional brain imaging.