The University of KwaZulu-Natal has paid tribute to the former dean of the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine Emeritus Professor Adriaan Willem (Wim) Sturm (79), a leading figure in medical microbiology, who died on 15 November.
Sturm, whose research was instrumental in shaping the fields of TB, HIV, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), was born in The Netherlands, and earned his MD, Specialist Exam, and PhD in 1981, from the University of Amsterdam.
He began his groundbreaking research career in his home country before taking up the Chair of the Microbiology Department at Aga Khan University in Pakistan in 1990.
In 1993, he joined the former University of Natal, where he led the Department of Medical Microbiology until 2006. His tenure was marked by his commitment to advancing academic and research excellence.
From 2005 to 2010, he served as Dean and Head of the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine.
Sturm’s leadership fostered inclusivity and unity within a previously divided institution, said UKZN, his efforts significantly enhanced the School’s global reputation, bolstering its research output, and cultivating partnerships.
Notably, his vision led to the collaboration between UKZN and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, resulting in the establishment of the KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV/Aids (K-RITH).
He pioneered molecular diagnostics for lymphogranuloma venereum in patients with genital ulcer disease and was a principal investigator during the province’s outbreak of Extremely Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB). His work on sequencing the genome of XDR-TB received international acclaim.
In 2008, he was named one of UKZN’s most prolific researchers, a testament to his enduring contributions, reports The Witness.
As Interim Director of K-RITH and later as a consultant for the KZN Department of Health, Sturm championed initiatives to bridge clinical service delivery with research.
During his consultancy (2012-2016), he focused on restructuring healthcare systems to better serve marginalised communities, frequently advocating for infection control measures.
UKZN described him as a cherished member of the academic and medical fraternity whose contributions will continue to inspire.
The Witness article – UKZN mourns passing of Professor Adriaan Willem Sturm (Open access)