Prof Marieke van der Zalm is an Associate Professor in Paediatrics and Child Health at Stellenbosch University, with a decade of experience as an investigator working on paediatric tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic and treatment studies at the Desmond Tutu TB Centre. Marieke is an active member of The Union and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Post-TB Lung Disease Working Group focusing on children and adolescents.
What is your role within the Post-TB Lung Disease Working Group and what does it entail?
I am co-chair of the Post-TB Working Group, focusing on child and adolescent post-TB lung disease. I co-chair together with two amazing women; Stellah Mpagama, who leads the adult pillar, and Ingrid Schoeman, who leads the community engagement pillar. Together, we aim to build a community of people interested in research in post-TB life and wellbeing across the life course, share knowledge and improve our understanding of how we can improve outcomes of people affected by TB.
What inspired you to become a paediatrics and child health expert with a focus on tuberculosis?
I trained as a paediatrician and have always been drawn to improve the lives of children. When I started working in South Africa, I saw first-hand the health inequities that exist and realised I could do more here to improve health outcomes. While working on TB diagnostic studies, I noticed some children that had TB came back with signs of chronic lung disease, which made me think about the long-term impact of TB on children’s lungs.
In 2017, I was awarded my first EDCTP fellowship, and in 2020 I received a senior career EDCTP fellowship, alongside the NIH-K43 Global Leader Award. These opportunities have allowed me to build a team dedicated to studying the long-term effects of TB in children.
The International Women's Day 2026 theme 'Give to Gain' is encouraging a mindset of generosity and collaboration.
How has the support of others influenced your career?
I’ve been fortunate to learn from many outstanding researchers, including Profs Anneke Hesseling, Rob Gie, Simon Schaaf and Helena Rabie. Also, Elisabetta Walters-Ghimenton, who from the very beginning of my period at the Desmond Tutu TB Centre, encouraged me to create my own opportunities, which has been invaluable. That encouragement came at a critical moment and gave me the confidence to pursue my own path. Their mentorship and support have been essential in shaping the work I do today and inspire me to give back. True mentorship is not just the transfer of knowledge or skills, but it is the willingness to see potential in someone, to invest in their growth, and to create the conditions in which they can thrive. I am committed to building an environment where early-career researchers feel supported, challenged, and truly valued. Mentoring the next generation is my greatest responsibility and the one I enjoy most.
How are you giving back to the next generation of health experts
I enjoy working with young people and supporting them as they build their careers. Academic life is not always easy, rejected grants and manuscripts are a normal part of this and that can be very discouraging. Furthermore, for young women in particular, balancing career ambitions with family responsibilities can add another layer of difficulty. Having experienced these challenges myself, I try to create an open and supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas, thinking creatively, and pursuing their goals while maintaining a healthy work- life balance.
What advice would you give women at the beginning of their career in public health?
Build a network of people around you who encourage and support you, and who can help open doors for you. Believe in the value of what you bring. Public health needs the voices, perspectives, and lived experiences of women, yours matters more than you may realise. Don’t let setbacks discourage you; rejections are part of the process, but perseverance will always pay off.