Prof. Quinette Abegail Louw
South Africa
Patient-Oriented Evidence that Matters
Prof. Quinette has been an academic in South African universities for over 20 years. She is a Professor in the Division of Physiotherapy (Stellenbosch University), National Research Foundation Research Chair in Innovative Rehabilitation, and head of the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Her specialist field is evidence-based, innovative rehabilitation that fits the local context.
She has more than 140 publications, including in the Lancet and other leading rehabilitation journals. She has a strong track record in postgraduate training (supervised more than 95 masters and doctoral students), securing competitive national and international grants, enhancing research infrastructure, and generating fourth income streams. She has made numerous national and international conferences presentations, including WCPT XVI Guidelines International Network Conference.
Prof Louw is one of three females newly (2020) appointed as Distinguished Professors. "I am very pleased to see the increasing number of female appointees," she comments. "It marks a celebration of excellence by female academics. I believe it will inspire the next generation of female academics to excel and reach the pinnacle of their careers." Prof Louw points out that innovation is an essential pillar of her work: "Covid-19 has accelerated scientific innovation to address mounting health needs globally amidst rapidly changing contexts. My innovation will take three approaches. I hope to lead innovations in research methods as applicable to rehabilitation, innovation in health systems, and evidence translation for societal impact.
