Celebrating 15 years of the MRC Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit
- Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ Faculty of Health Sciences
The MRC Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU) celebrated 15 years of advancing life course science and its impact in South Africa.
L-R: Professors Aletta Millen, Lisa Micklesfield, Lisa Ware, Shane Norris, Lynn Morris
An anniversary event was held on 7 May 2026 at the Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ Faculty of Health Sciences campus. It served both as a celebration and a reflection on a body of work that has reshaped how life expectancy, as well as maternal and child health, are understood in South Africa and beyond. Its key areas of focus include early-life nutrition, obesity, metabolic health, cardiovascular risk, and, increasingly, ageing.
The DPHRU choir
The evening opened with a harmonious welcome from the DPHRU staff choir, setting a warm and uplifting tone for the event.
Speakers throughout the evening shared stories and personal reflections that captured the essence of the unit’s work, grounded in a central insight: health is shaped over the course of one’s life.
From the outset, the DPHRU was described as a space where science, community engagement and long-term vision intersect to influence real-world outcomes. The unit is one of the flagship extramural research units of the based at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ University.
In her opening remarks, Professor Liesl Zühlke, Vice-President of the SAMRC, highlighted the unit’s broad relevance to clinicians, policymakers and the public. She said, “It is a unit that has consistently asked hard questions about how early biological, social, and environmental exposures shape growth, development, wellness, and health.”
A life course approach to health
The DPHRU’s approach lies in its ability to shift attention from treatment to prevention, asking where risks originate and how early interventions can alter health trajectories.
An expanding legacy
The unit’s development over 15 years is rooted in earlier foundational work, particularly the Mineral Metabolism Research Unit and the Birth to Twenty cohort study. From these beginnings, it has grown into a large, multidisciplinary research programme, developing multiple cohort studies, forging international collaborations and nurturing a strong research culture.
Professor Lynn Morris, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ University, described the unit’s work as “science in the service of society”. She noted that under the strategic leadership of the Director, Professor Shane Norris, the unit has built a legacy of long-term thinking that will endure.
 Thabile Shomunga, Nomses Mkansi, Nomsa Thwala-400x224.jpg)
DPHRU staff members (L-R): Thabile Shomunga, Nomses Mkansi, Nomsa Thwala
Staff also reflected on how the organisation evolved from a small initiative into a “family” characterised by shared purpose and mutual support. “Today, we look at this unit, and we don’t just see growth, but we see impact,” said Nomsa Thwala, the unit’s Project Manager.
Measurable impact
Over the past 15 years, the DPHRU has delivered substantial outputs:
- More than 1,160 research publications
- Over 46,000 participants involved in studies
- Training of more than 43 postdoctoral fellows and over 100 postgraduate students
- Employment for more than 650 staff members
While these figures illustrate the scale and reach of the unit’s work, its impact extends far beyond numbers.
A key scientific contribution of the DPHRU has been its progression from observational research to intervention and implementation. Initially focused on understanding developmental trajectories, Professor Norris noted that the unit has gradually moved into designing and testing interventions.
“Our greatest impact has been showing that adult health is shaped early, and that if we are serious about disease prevention, we must prioritise intervention across the life course,” he said.
Influence on policy and global science
The unit’s research has contributed to national and international policy discussions. It has informed initiatives such as South Africa’s first 1,000 days strategy and contributed to global understanding of the developmental origins of health and disease.
Importantly, the DPHRU has bridged global scientific frameworks with local realities. Its work addresses challenges unique to low- and middle-income settings, including inequality, urbanisation and the coexistence of infectious and non-communicable diseases.
“These pressures demand research that can capture complexity over time and increase the urgency of that work,” said Professor Norris.
Looking ahead
The anniversary also marked a transition. The work of the DPHRU will continue into its next phase, focusing on ageing while maintaining its life course perspective. In closing, Professor Norris emphasised the importance of continuity to sustain “really good science” alongside a clear scientific and social mission.
Professor Lisa Micklesfield now takes forward the unit’s legacy as Director, ushering in its next chapter of research and impact.