Heather Zar
South African physician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Heather J Zar is a South African physician and scientist specialising in the care of children with respiratory diseases like asthma, tuberculosis and pneumonia.
Heather J Zar | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | University of the Witwatersrand Columbia University University of Cape Town |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Pediatrics, Pulmonology |
| Institutions | University of Cape Town Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital |
Career and impact
Professor Zar is the Chair of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Cape Town[1] and also serves as the President of the Pan African Thoracic Society.[2]
Her work on HIV/AIDS related lung disease has helped to change World Health Organization and national guidelines.[3] Work on using low cost recycled plastic bottles as spacers,[4] to help children more easily inhale aerosolized asthma medication, has garnered Zar global attention. Zar is one of the leaders of a study of about 1000 children that are being closely followed up over time to better understand and develop preventive strategies to address childhood lung disease and other ailments.[5] She is a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa.[6] Professor Zar has published over 200 scientific articles.[7]
Awards and honors
- American Thoracic Society World Lung Health Award 2014[8]
- L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards in 2018[9]