Alina Esterhuizen

Dr Alina Esterhuizen is a professionally registered medical scientist specialising in Human Genetics, with a dual work profile of a translational researcher and head of the molecular diagnostic service at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the National Health Laboratory Service. She has extensive experience in clinical testing, as well as translation of research into diagnostic practice. Alina’s main research interests lie in genetics of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disease, especially the genetics of paediatric epilepsies (PhD thesis) and neuromuscular disease (MSc. thesis). She is actively involved in teaching, training and student supervision, and is passionate about building local capacity to enable equitable access to genetic diagnoses for patients across Africa. Alina is a member of the Genetics Commission for the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and an assessor for the European Molecular Quality Network.