Maritha J. Kotze, PhD

Professor Maritha Kotze was senior researcher and professor at the University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa, promoting genome research innovation among students, scientists and clinicians. She retired in 2023.  She was also the founder and CEO of Gknowmix, a healthcare company that developed a business process for integration of clinical assessments, laboratory analysis and reporting through a web-based genetic testing service delivery system.

Dr. Kotze obtained her BSc, BSc honours and MSc degrees cum laude at the University of Stellenbosch.  Since obtaining her PhD degree in 1990, she has supervised many postgraduate students including more than 10 PhD graduates.  She has been awarded the Rector’s Award for Research Excellence in 1999.  She received a patent incentive award for Research Innovation in 2005 and was identified during this time by the Institute for Scientific Information in the USA as one of the 20 highest ranking active publishers in the biomedical field in South Africa.  Her publications include more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and invited book chapters.   Maritha has been an invited speaker at numerous national and international scientific meetings and is a regular presenter and facilitator of CPD accredited lectures.  The Gknowmix system was developed under the auspices of the Innovation Centre of the South African Medical Research Council and was partly funded by the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa.  The goal is to build a comprehensive genetic database that could facilitate the conversion of research and innovation.