Adrienne Edkins

Adrienne Edkins is a Professor in Biochemistry and holds the South African Research Chair (SARChI) in Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Eukaryotic Stress Response at Rhodes University. She leads the Biomedical Biotechnology Research Unit (BioBRU), established in 2011, and has been a permanent academic staff member since 2009. Her research focuses on protein homeostasis, chaperone biology, and drug discovery, with applications in cancer and infectious disease. Edkins has authored over 70 peer-reviewed articles and secured prestigious grants including the UKRI Medical Research Council African Research Leader’s scheme and Tres Cantos Open Lab Fellowship with GSK.

Education:

• PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (University of Glasgow, UK)
• M.Res. in Molecular Basis of Disease (University of Glasgow)
• M.Sc. in Forensic Science (King’s College London)
• B.Sc. Biochemistry and Microbiology (Rhodes University)

Research interests include chaperone interactions, extracellular matrix regulation, and anticancer drug development. Her work bridges basic science and translational medicine, with contributions to understanding Hsp90’s role in cancer and viral infections. Edkins is an NRF-rated scientist and a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences and Cell Stress Society International.

Awards:

• Rhodes University VC Distinguished Research Medal (2015)
• SAWiSA Award for Distinguished Young Scientist (2018)
• NRF Y1 rating (2014–2019)

Her lab, BioBRU, emphasizes collaborative research, training over 65 graduate students. Current projects involve HSP90 inhibitors, KSHV lytic replication, and fucoidan-based therapies. Edkins advocates for African inclusion in global drug discovery initiatives, emphasizing local bioresearch potential.