Heather Zar

Heather Zar is Professor and Chair of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Director of the School of Child and Adolescent Health at Red Cross Childrens Hospital at the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa. After specialising in Paediatrics she did a fellowship in Paediatric Pulmonology, then a PhD. She is based at Red Cross Childrens Hospital, one of the largest dedicated childrens’ hospital in Africa.  She leads a large department in providing care for sick children,  training of undergraduate and post graduate students, undertaking research and advocacy to promote child health. Her work on childhood respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis, pneumonia, asthma and HIV-associated lung diseases has been internationally recognized; she has published more than 200 peer reviewed publications and has substantial international grant support. She has established a strong training program in childhood lung diseases including training several paediatricians in Africa. She currently serves as President of the Pan African Thoracic Society and President of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies. She received the World Lung Health award in 2014.