Inge Smit, a PhD candidate in immunology at the University of Cape Town, is actively engaged in research under the HAMLET (Human African Molecular Placental Research Platform) project. Her academic focus centers on maternal and child health. She initially investigated cytomegalovirus (CMV) in HIV-positive mothers and later explored the use of traditional plants by birth attendants to manage postpartum hemorrhage. Currently, her research delves into the factors contributing to recurrent pregnancy loss, particularly among obese women, examining aspects such as inflammation, immune intolerance, and metabolic dysfunction. Inge holds a master's degree in public health from University College Dublin and another in ethnobotany from the University of Fort Hare.
Inge is also participating in a multi-country trial in Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, which aims to assess interventions for pre-eclampsia. Looking to the future, she intends to create a research group dedicated to the study of recurrent pregnancy loss and pre-eclampsia on the African context, with an emphasis on understanding the prevalence of and diagnostic methods for these conditions, as well as establishing support networks for patients affected by recurrent pregnancy loss and pre-eclampsia.
