Alina Esterhuizen | Neurogenetics | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Alina Esterhuizen | Neurogenetics | Research Excellence Award

UCT/NHLS | South Africa

Dr. Alina Esterhuizen is a professionally registered medical scientist specializing in Molecular Human Genetics, Neurogenetics with a strong dual focus on translational research and molecular diagnostic service leadership. Her expertise lies in integrating advanced genomic research into routine clinical diagnostics, ensuring that scientific discoveries directly improve patient care. She has extensive experience in clinical genetic testing, quality management systems, validation and implementation of new diagnostic protocols, and the continuous enhancement of laboratory standards within accredited healthcare environments. Her research centers on the genetics of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, with particular emphasis on paediatric epilepsies and neuromuscular diseases. She has contributed significantly to understanding the genetic architecture of complex epilepsy in African paediatric populations, advancing the identification of pathogenic variants and improving diagnostic yield in underrepresented groups. Her work also includes mutation profiling in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, supporting the development and application of emerging gene-based therapeutic approaches. Beyond research and diagnostics, she is actively engaged in teaching, mentorship, and supervision of students and laboratory professionals. She is deeply committed to strengthening local genomic capacity and promoting equitable access to genetic testing services across Africa, ensuring that precision medicine becomes accessible to diverse and historically underserved populations.

Citation Metrics (Google Scholar)

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Featured Publications


Current practice in diagnostic genetic testing of the epilepsies

– Epileptic Disorders 24 (5), 765–786 (2022) | Citations: 100

Clinical application of epilepsy genetics in Africa: is now the time?

– Frontiers in Neurology 9, 276 (2018) | Citations: 39

C9orf72 repeat expansions in South Africans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

– Journal of the Neurological Sciences 401, 51–54 | Citations: —

Mario Garcia-Verdugo Jimenez-Egizabal | Neuroanatomy | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Mario Garcia-Verdugo Jimenez-Egizabal | Neuroanatomy | Best Researcher Award

Instituto Cajal (CSIC) | Spain 

Mario Garcia-Verdugo Jimenez-Egizabal is a predoctoral student at the Instituto Cajal, CSIC, whose academic journey reflects a strong interdisciplinary foundation in biotechnology, computational biology, and neuroscience. He earned his degree in Biotechnology from the University of the Basque Country, where he conducted his undergraduate thesis in nanotechnology at the Biofisika Institute (CSIC). He later completed a Master’s in Computational Biology from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, carrying out his research at the Complutense University of Madrid in the field of membrane biophysics. Currently, his doctoral research focuses on the study of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s disease and its non-motor symptoms such as depression. His recent publication, “From rodents to humans: Conserved codistribution of dopaminergic with serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus and their molecular characterization,” underscores his contribution to understanding the conserved neural architecture underlying mood regulation and neurodegeneration. With two journal publications, an h-index of 2, three documents, and three citations, Mario demonstrates growing academic influence in neuroscience research. His work provides novel insights into the dopaminergic populations of the dorsal raphe nucleus, offering a new perspective on the neurobiological mechanisms of depression and Parkinson’s disease.

Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publications 

Garcia-Verdugo, M., Rodriguez Martin, P., Gustincich, S., Lanciego, J. L., Murer, M. G., Jercog, P., & Moratalla, R. (2025). From rodents to humans: Conserved codistribution of dopaminergic with serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus and their molecular characterization. Neurobiology of Disease, 201, 107173.

Caselli, N., Garcia-Verdugo, M., Calero, M., Hernando-Ospina, N., Santiago, J. A., Herráez-Aguilar, D., & Monroy, F. (2024). Red blood cell flickering activity locally controlled by holographic optical tweezers. iScience, 27(6), 109915.