John Joska

Professor John Joska is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Cape Town, Head of the Division of Neuropsychiatry at Groote Schuur Hospital, and Director of the HIV Mental Health Research Unit within the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health. He established a pioneering NeuroHIV research program in the Western Cape Province, South Africa, funded by NIMH, EDCTP, MRC, and NRF, focusing on neurological and behavioral aspects of HIV infection.

His educational background includes:

• MBChB (Equivalent to MD) from University of Cape Town (1993)
• FCPsych in Psychiatry from Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (2002)
• Master of Medicine (Psychiatry) in General Psychiatry from University of Cape Town (2004)
• PhD in Psychiatry from University of Cape Town (2011)
• Certificate in Neuropsychiatry (SA) from Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (2021)

Professor Joska's primary research investigates how HIV causes or aggravates cognitive disorders, methods for measuring these conditions, and mitigation strategies—particularly critical as HIV-positive populations age. His group specializes in neurobiological effects of HIV on brain structure/function, neurobehavioral studies of ART adherence, and behavioral interventions for depression, sexual trauma, and substance abuse within HIV care. Key research domains include Clinical Neuroscience and Cognitive & Behavioural Neuroscience.

His research unit has secured major funding from National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), Medical Research Council (MRC), and National Research Foundation (NRF) for neurocognitive screening initiatives and psychological intervention development.

As Director of the HIV Mental Health Research Unit, he leads multidisciplinary teams conducting neurobiological investigations and adapting evidence-based mental health interventions for resource-limited HIV settings across South Africa.